Once a niche offering relegated to dusty shelves of health food stores, health-focused snacks have become a driving force in the global food industry and consumers are increasingly demanding more.
No longer satisfied with ‘better-for-you’ alternatives that lack taste or texture, today’s shoppers are after snacks that strike a perfect balance between nutrition, indulgence and innovation.
From busy professionals seeking on-the-go fuel to families navigating food intolerances and wellness goals, the appetite for nutritious, high-quality snack options is booming. Recent data shows the healthy snacks market is growing at a steady clip, powered by demand for clean ingredients, functional nutrition and convenient formats.
These 9 launches reflect the latest evolution in the sector, offering everything from gut-friendly brownie mixes to paper-wrapped nut bars and cognitive-boosting nootropics – all with plenty of personality.
Clean label baking mixes for sweet-tooths & Sunday brunchers
Home baking gets a healthy, hassle-free makeover thanks to Good Mess, a UK startup redefining the baking mix aisle. Founded by Andrea Kazan after her personal battle with autoimmune disease, Good Mess delivers indulgent, nutrient-dense bakes that are grain-free, refined sugar-free and vegan-optional. Available at Whole Foods and online, the mixes are priced at £9.95 each.
The Brownie Mix yields 12 gloriously gooey, rich squares that taste like the real deal – minus the sugar crash. With just almond flour, organic coconut sugar and cocoa powder in the mix, it’s a cleaner way to satisfy chocolate cravings any day of the week. Simply add eggs (or a vegan alternative), oil and vanilla, and you’ve got dessert sorted.
For breakfast lovers, the Pancake, Crêpe and Waffle Mix offers one mix to rule them all – perfect for a laid-back brunch or a quick evening fix. The blend of almond and tapioca flour creates a batter that’s naturally gluten-free, fluffy on the inside, and crispy at the edges.
And for anyone who loves banana bread but not the additives often hidden in store-bought loaves, Good Mess’s Banana Bread Mix hits the spot. It bakes up moist, aromatic and full of real banana flavour – just add fresh bananas, eggs and oil.
Good Mess is on a mission to clean up the baking mix aisle with gut-friendly backing mixes that taste as good a homemade and believes baking should be simple, delicious and genuinely good for you.
A smarter start for the smallest snackers
America’s #1 paediatrician-recommended yoghurt brand is setting a new standard for baby-friendly snacking with the launch of YoBaby No Added Sweeteners Yogurt Pouches. Made with organic whole milk, real fruit and zero added sugars, the line caters to parents seeking clean nutrition for their littlest ones.
Available in Peach & Oat and Banana Apple & Oat flavours, the mess-free pouches deliver brain-boosting DHA, 60% daily calcium and gut-friendly whole milk in each serving. With a smooth texture and mild flavour designed for developing palates, it’s a smart first step into dairy.
The line also coincides with a partnership with American YouTuber, social media personality, singer, songwriter and educator Ms Rachel, whose presence on the packaging reinforces the brand’s child-focused mission. The collaboration includes fun, educational content that highlights the importance of nutritious food in supporting healthy childhood development.
Fuelling drivers with pistachio power
In a big win for healthy snacking on the road, Nichols Farms has teamed up with Love’s Travel Stops to bring its seasoned, no-shell pistachios to 600 locations across the US. Travellers can grab 2oz or 6oz bags in crave-worthy flavours like Jalapeño Lime, Cocoa Cookie and Garlic & Garden Herbs – a protein-packed upgrade from the usual petrol station fare.
“We’re pleased to be partnering with Love’s,” said Jeff Nichols, VP of supply chain. “They share our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.”
Grown sustainably in California’s San Joaquin Valley, the farm’s dry-roasted pistachios are non-GMO and full of flavour, with a line that also includes Hot Honey, Habanero Lime, Maple Butter and Rosemary Garlic variants. This collaboration supports both driver wellness and the rising demand for cleaner snacks in convenience retail.
Nichols Farms, a family business four generations deep, is also a leader in eco-conscious farming using solar power, composting and water recycling as core operations. The expansion into Love’s locations brings their sustainable snacking ethos to a whole new audience.
A cleaner crunch for cereal lovers
Natural food brand Kallø has reimagined a breakfast staple with its launch of Organic Gluten-Free Golden Cornflakes, priced at £2.49 and available in Waitrose, Morrisons and health stores across the UK and Ireland. With just organic corn and raw cane sugar, the cereal offers a low-sugar, low-fat alternative to mainstream cornflakes, with added fibre to boot.
“We’re excited to introduce Kallø’s latest breakfast offering – an organic take on traditional cornflakes which are a popular staple,“ said brand controller Caroline Mitchell, adding ”We’ve taken a classic and revamped it with great taste and the same nostalgic comfort.” Fully recyclable packaging and a clean label add to its appeal for eco-conscious consumers.
The launch builds on Kallø’s momentum in the breakfast aisle following the success of its Wholegrain Puffs and Granola. As part of Ecotone UK, the B Corp-certified brand continues to push for organic, plant-based innovation that supports biodiversity as well as personal health.
Brain and body bars for busy lives
Glasgow-based vybey is moving beyond meal replacements with the launch of its new Complete Nutrition Bars – three plant-based, functional snacks combining brain-boosting nootropics and 20g of protein. Flavours include Chocolate Brownie, Raspberry White Chocolate and Mint Chocolate, each made with a base of dates, oats, almonds and pea protein.
With 300 calories per bar, they’re designed to satisfy hunger and support focus, memory and cognitive health: no blender required.
“We were never going to confine our expertise to the drinks aisle,” said cofounder Gordon Belch. “These bars are an extension of our mission to spread positive vibes through optimal nutrition.”
Perfect for on-the-go snacking, post-workout fuel or even a meal replacement, vybey’s bars hit the sweet spot between indulgence and intention. And with their Braincare heritage, these bars don’t just feed your body — they feed your mind.
New name, same feel-good oats
After 22 years of oat bar excellence, Bobo’s has rebranded its flagship line as Oatmeal Bars to better reflect their role as a functional, satisfying snack. Made with 100% whole grain oats and simple pantry staples, the 3oz bars are gluten-free, non-GMO and allergen-friendly.
Hitting shelves at Whole Foods, Target, Kroger and other major retailers across the US, the new packaging highlights their use as a nutritious meal replacement or energy snack.
“Now more than ever, customers expect more from their food,” said EVP of Marketing Henry Hughes. “Our Oatmeal Bars have remained popular for more than 20 years now. That’s because they’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients and they taste great and we’ve never wavered from that formula.”
Still baked with love in Boulder, Colorado, Bobo’s Oatmeal Bars are a testament to the power of humble ingredients done right. The new look makes it easier than ever for busy consumers to find a wholesome snack they can trust.
A snack aisle reboot for every wellness goal
CVS Pharmacy has unveiled Well Market, a new store brand offering over 40 crave-worthy snacks, beverages and grocery staples. From Salt & Vinegar Sprouted Almonds to Turmeric Curry Trail Mix and Probiotic Popcorn, the line reflects a bold, flavour-forward approach to better-for-you snacking.
“Our goal at CVS Health is to be the most consumer-centric health care solutions company,” said chief merchandising offer Musab Balbale. “We’re doing more by providing new nutritious options our customers crave.”
Many items are vegan, gluten-free or keto-friendly and contain no artificial additives or trans fats. Prices range from $2.99 to $8.99, making the range accessible and easy to explore across CVS’s 9,000+ locations.
By bringing its Gold Emblem and Big Chill lines under the Well Market umbrella, CVS is simplifying its portfolio while signalling a long-term commitment to wellness. The line’s eco-friendly packaging shift also supports CVS Health’s broader sustainability goals for 2030.
A greener wrapper for a snacktime classic
KIND is piloting a major sustainable packaging innovation: a curbside-recyclable paper wrapper for its best-selling Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt bars. Available exclusively at select Whole Foods stores across several US states, the new wrapper marks a tangible step in the brand’s goal to make all packaging recyclable by 2030.
“We’re constantly listening to our consumers, and what we hear is clear – they want products that not only deliver exceptional quality but also align with their values,” said chief marketing officer Osher Hoberman. “This new paper wrapper pilot is a direct result of that feedback. We’re proud to continue to lead the industry with bold, forward-thinking and innovative solutions, not just for our packaging, but across our entire product portfolio.”
Developed with packaging partner Printpack, the wrapper is How2Recycle pre-qualified and pulpable — a true category first for bars sold in-store.
The pilot builds on KIND’s earlier ecommerce trials and sets a precedent for scaling sustainability within the snack bar category. For eco-conscious consumers, it’s one more reason to choose KIND: both for flavour and footprint.
Artisanal chocolate now in grab-and-go form
Norfolk-based chocolate maker Gnaw has stepped into the impulse fixture with a line of 35g bars in vibrant, recyclable wrappers. Flavours like Popcorn & Peanut, Honeycomb & Caramel, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Seville Orange bring gourmet flair to everyday snacking – each bar priced around £1.75.
“We’ve long felt the Gnaw story deserves to be told beyond the confectionery fixture,” said spokesperson Josh Patterson. “Impulse couldn’t be ignored any longer.”
With their creative flavour development and accessible price point, these bars hit that sweet spot of joy, nostalgia and indulgence.
