When it comes to snack trends, it’s all about standing out! Consumers look to snacks as an opportunity for exploration and experimentation. Indeed, they tend to be more willing to try unfamiliar and unexpected flavors in snack formats because purchasing a snack is less risky than purchasing an entire meal. The snack category has long embraced flavor innovation, and consumers’ openness to new and different flavor experiences means that brands shouldn’t be afraid to think outside of the box and get ultra creative with flavor possibilities.
Which flavor trends are currently influencing the snack category? And how can brands make the most of these trends or, better yet, get ahead of them? Keep reading for our latest updates on trends in the snack category and our experts’ insights into promising opportunities for snack flavor innovation.
Going for Bold Flavors
One of the most prolific trends influencing the food industry as a whole at the moment is the shift towards approaching every eating occasion as an experience, rather than as a necessity. In other words, for modern consumers, food isn’t just fuel; it’s an opportunity to add some joy and excitement to daily life. This shift has given rise to a number of trends, including the growing popularity of extraordinarily bold flavor profiles. These flavors tend to step outside of the norm and deliver something unusual or unexpected, which is exactly what restless, experience-oriented consumers are seeking out.
There are a few ways that the bold flavor trend is currently taking shape in the snack category. First, extra hot and spicy flavors are on the rise. Exotic peppers, spicy global condiments, and spice blends that bring the heat are serving as key sources of inspiration for snack flavors. Millennials and Gen Zers alike love the challenge of trying something extra hot, so one way to appeal to these consumers is by combining multiple spicy flavor profiles.
Sour and tangy flavors are also trending as bold flavor options for snacks. Brands are only just beginning to look beyond dill pickle for sour inspiration, so a promising option for bold snack flavor
innovation is to look for other pickled or fermented flavors to draw inspiration from. Think kimchi, giardiniera, pickled mango, or Haitian pikliz.
To get ahead of the curve, brands should consider creating the ultimate bold flavor experience by combining spicy and sour flavor profiles. Spicy takes on dill pickle flavors have grown increasingly popular in snacks, but beyond that, few brands have innovated with flavors that bring both heat and tang. Appeal to consumers’ cravings for bigger, bolder flavors by tapping into the spicy trend and the sour trend at the same time. Think snack flavors like pickled habanero, spicy tamarind, Mexican style chamoy, tomatillo & green chili salsa, or Thai tom yum.
Bridging Novelty & Nostalgia
Many consumers turn to their favorite snacks for comfort and escape from daily stressors. The chaos and uncertainty of everyday life are giving nostalgic flavors a boost in demand, as these familiar flavors remind consumers of simpler times and deliver much needed reprieve from stress. While nostalgic flavors will always be popular, consumers are also craving adventure in the form of new and different flavor experiences, which offer a different sense of escapism.
Give snack consumers the best of both worlds by pairing familiar, nostalgic flavors with exciting, novel flavors. An especially popular take on this trend right now is pairing beloved BBQ with a variety of trending flavors and ingredients, including hot peppers and global spice blends. Get ahead of this trend by looking to other comforting, nostalgic flavors that can pair well with more exotic flavors. Consumers will be obsessed with the opportunity to try their go-to comfort snacks in a new way without missing out on the latest trends. Think snack flavors like berbere ranch, Nashville hot mac & cheese, sweet heat cinnamon bun, or chicken tikka pizza.
Ready to launch consumers’ next big snack obsession? Our snack experts are here to help! Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.