New product showcase 2020: Trendsetters of quarantine snacking

Chocolate remains #1

US chocolate sales have increased 6.3% in the four month period ending June 27, compared to the same period the year before, as brands dive further into this versatile snack segment.​

The trendsetters: Guittard, Good Good Krunchy Keto Bar, McVitie’s and Bahlsen​

Honourably sourced​

Guittard is the preferred chocolate of master chocolatiers, including Paul A Young, Benjamin Ebuehi, Lily Vanili and Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber.

It’s range of milk and dark chocolate chips are now available in Waitrose stores across the UK – undoubtedly a tasty inclusion in muffins, cookies, cakes and more, but with the peace-of-mind knowledge that the chocolate has been honourably sourced, is non-GMO Project Verified and Fair Trade Certified.

The chocolatier also offers a baking kit – comprised of some of its favourite products – for stay-at-home kitchen adventures. Each Guittard tote bag contains a bag of Super Cookie Chips, a bag of Extra Dark Baking Chips, 100% Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate, a can of Grand Cacao and – for a limited time only – a reprint edition of its first ever cookbook.

Keto-friendly​

Good Good has launched a Krunchy Keto Bar that will satisfy your sweet tooth for breakfast, while scrambling to get your day on the go … always busy, even if you are still in lockdown.

The nutrient-packed bar is only 130 calories with only 2g net carbs, sweetened with stevia and erythritol. It also packs in 6g of fibre to keep you feeling full for longer. By comparison, most instant oats and quinoa-based cereals contain 5g of fibre, said the brand.

The bars are available in two varieties: Raspberry Cheesecake – enrobed in white chocolate and boasting 13g of protein, a dollop of collagen (to keep you looking beautiful) and fibre – and Salty Caramel Nut – which tastes like your favourite milk chocolate bar, but punches with 8g of protein and, of course, fibre.

Dead good​

Pladis is pumping up consumers to enjoy ‘A Dead Good Night In’ with its 2020 Halloween range from McVitie’s Cakes.

This year’s selection comprises five limited edition products, all donned in vibrant skull-themed packaging.

The McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Zesty Orangey Cake Bars consist of the iconic cake with its orange filling – but the seasonal offering is a purple sponge smothered in dark chocolate.

McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Fruity Blackcurrant Cake Bars also bring purple to the party with a light sponge encasing a blackcurrant filling, which is then disguised in a dark chocolate coating.

McVitie’s Digestives Cinder Toffee Flavour Slice consists of a layer of golden-baked biscuit with a cinder toffee flavour, topped with McVitie’s’ silky-smooth chocolate.

McVitie’s Funny Bones Chocolate Cake Bars is new take on a classic snack – fluffy sponge topped with chocolate cream and enrobed in milk chocolate.

Get into the spirit with the McVitie’s Funny Bones Sticky Toffee Flavour Cake that pairs perfectly with custard.

The limited edition range is available in five-pack individually-wrapped bars (Jaffa Cakes and Digestives), eight individually-wrapped bars (Funny Bones) and a 200g toffee cake, all with an RRP of £1 from various UK retailers and wholesaler.

Elevating the biscuit experience​

Bahlsen has launched two of its most luxurious biscuits yet, created in collaboration with Baileys.

The Bahlsen Choco Leibniz Baileys feature Bahslen’s signature butter biscuit, set in milk chocolate infused with Baileys Original Irish Cream.

The Bahlsen Baileys Squares comprise a velvety centre infused with Baileys Original Irish Cream, sandwiched between a delicate wafer biscuit topped with a slab of chocolate.

Both products come in 125g packs with an RRP of £1.79, available from major retailers across the UK.

Salty snacks reinvented

According to NPD, the Great Recession (between 2008 and 2010) saw the consumption of snacks rise by 1%, equating to 4.8 billion eatings.​

The trendsetters: Pretzel Crisps, PeaPops, Kettle Brand and Forest Feast​

Bend it like …​

Pretzel Crisps has added a Cheddar Cheese variant to its lineup – made with real cheese to result in a classic cheese-and-biscuit pairing. The thin, crunchy pretzel brings it all together in one compact bite.

‘Crunch’em, crack’em, dip’em or stack’em’, the snack producer claims that one bit will have you rethinking your pretzel.

Available in 7.2oz bags at retailers across the US for an RRP of $3.29.

Guilt-free pleasure

PeaPops were borne out of a love of snacking and a desire to produce a healthy snack with no compromise on taste. Plus, they are nutritionally more dense than many other snacks with their base of chickpeas.

PeaPops punch with 20% plant-based protein, are high in fibre and contain 60% less fat than regular fried chips as they are popped using heat compression technology. They are also gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians.

Pea Pops are available in three variants – Smoky BBQ, Chilli & Lime and Cheddar & Onion – and two pack sizes for an RRP of 86p (single serve 23g pack) and £1.99 (80g sharing bag) on Amazon and the brand’s website.

Orchard fall​

Move over pumpkin spice, there’s a new kid on the block.

Just in time for cooler weather and fall vibes, Kettle Brand is releasing a limited batch of Kettle Brand Apple Cider Vinegar potato chips.

According to the producer, the new variant will ‘transport you from the living room to an apple picking orchard, without ever having to leave the house’.

It packs a tangy punch and rounded out with a crisp sweet apple finish.

Kettle Brand Apple Cider Vinegar is rolling out across the US in select retailers.

A nutty feast​

Forest Feast has launched the Slow Roasted & Seasoned Nut range to elevate the consumer’s ‘night in’ snacking experience.

The range also showcase the producer’s inhouse seasoning and roasting capabilities – flavoured with local and artisan ingredients and slowly roasted in small batches.

Available in six variants: Slow Roasted Colossal Cashews with Sea Salt; Californian Pistachios with Sea Salt; Slow Roasted Sea Salt & Black Peppercorn Nut Mix; Slow Roasted Pitmaster Smoked Almonds & Peanuts; Slow Roasted Serrano Chilli Honey Almonds & Peanuts and Slow Roasted Heather Honey Peanuts & Cashews.

Forest Feast Slow Roasted Nuts are gluten free and have an RRP of £3.00/120g from select outlets across the UK.

Lunchbox staples

Whether its kids heading out to a classroom, learning virtually from home or even adults wanting to get sustenance throughout the day, it’s good to have an assortment of quick-‘n-easy ‘lunchbox’ snacking options to choose from.​

The trendsetters are Pukka, Roberts Bakery, American Flatbread and Small Giants​

That’s proper​

Pukka has dipped its toe into the plant-based trend with a range of vegan pies.

Pukka’s Vegan range sees two of the brand’s bestselling recipes trade ingredients for 100% vegan alternatives, both sporting the Vegetarian Society approved trademark on recyclable packaging.

Vegan Chicken & Mushroom comprises soy protein vegan ‘chicken’ pieces, mushrooms and a savoury creamy sauce encased in 144 layers of Pukka’s signature golden puff pastry, while Vegan Minced Steak & Onion pairs minced soy protein vegan ‘steak’ with finely chopped onions in a rich gravy. 

The range launches into Morrisons from September 16 and Sainsbury’s from September 23, with a wider rollout throughout the rest of the year, with an RRP of £1.89 for a 213g pie.

Remarkably Roberts​

The UK bakery behind Crunchy Cricket Loaves has launched an ad campaign that takes a peek at what goes on behind its doors.

Airing on ITV Central, Granada and Yorkshire screens – both linear and on demand via You Tube – the 30 second spot is being used to launch Roberts’ six-strong breakfast-inspired snacking range for ‘when toast is too slow’.

Other products to make the cut include Roberts’ Good for You Energy Balance Bloomer with quinoa, watermelon and chia seeds and the just launched Porridge Loaf.

Rising up against plastic, Roberts’ Bread Arrows also make a comeback – a nod to summer 2019, when the bakery drone delivered its core bread ranges in more sustainable packaging.

Roberts’ products are available from outlets across the UK, as well as on its recently launched e-shop.

Join the meatless evolution​

American Flatbread is the latest brand to join the growing flexitarian trend with the launch of a line of plant-based, flash-frozen pizzas.

The Meatless Evolution range line uses hand-stretched dough made from 100% organic wheat, along with fresh and whole ingredients sourced from trusted farmers.

Each bite is powered by pea protein and provides  a healthy serving of both protein and fibre.

The lineup includes Vegan Pepperoni (plant-based pepperoni, tomato sauce, dairy-free mozzarella and herbs); Vegan Meat Lovers (plant-based pepperoni, plant-based sausage crumbles, tomato sauce, dairy-free mozzarella and herbs); Plant-Based Pepperoni (plant-based pepperoni, tomato sauce, mozzarella, asiago, parmesan and herbs); and Plant-Based Supreme (plant-based pepperoni, broccoli, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella, asiago, feta and herbs).

The 10 inch pizza range – three servings per container – have an RRP of $8.99, available at online, at select retailers across the US and via the brand’s Amazon storefront page starting in October.

Jeepers creepers

Small Giants is a brand new range of bite-sized savoury crackers made with cricket flour. The founders of the brand-with-a-purpose say these revolutionary snacks are a great way to eat insects without the ‘yuck-factor’.

Crickets offer a viable sustainable source of protein as they require only a fraction of the water, land, feed and energy than other sources.

The cricket flour adds an umami taste to the crackers, along with twice as much protein as fat, a great source of fibre and a boost of vitamin B12, which is crucial for a healthy immune system and brain. The crackers are also dairy-free and contain no added sugar.

The snacks – to be enjoyed as a pick-me-up any time of the day – are oven-baked not fried and come in three flavours: Tomato & Oregano, Turmeric & Smoked Paprika and Rosemary & Thyme.

Small Giants is launched in October 2020 and will initially be available online and on Amazon.