Is the protein snack boom running out of steam?

Key takeaways:

• Protein snacks have become mainstream, but consumer interest is dwindling as the category matures.
• Taste, texture and format innovation now matter more than protein claims alone.
• Brands that integrate protein into everyday, indulgent snack formats are better positioned for long-term growth.

Long a priority for weightlifters and athletes, protein intake is now part of everyday eating. Wellness trends, fueled by social media and GLP-1 drugs, mean more consumers are prioritizing a high-protein diet – and protein has become a default expectation across many snack categories.

Traditional protein shakes and bars have been joined by a proliferation of products, including coffee, sodas and even candy suffused with the macronutrient. As protein becomes ubiquitous, however, brands are increasingly confronting a tougher question: what still makes a protein snack stand out?

UK market leader The Protein Ball Co says shifting consumer expectations were behind its decision to overhaul its brand identity last autumn. Marketing director Samantha Williams says the company recognized that offering a functional protein fix alone was no longer enough to cut through.

The relaunch was about “prioritizing clarity, authenticity and everyday relevance rather than shouting the loudest claims,” she says.

The bold new branding used confident, straightforward language that focused on real food, taste and enjoyment first – “protein as a benefit rather than the sole reason to buy,” she explains.

“A lot of the category still relies on functional, gym-led or technical messaging, which can feel exclusionary.”

“[Consumers] want reassurance around ingredients, recognizability and how a product fits into everyday life, not just fitness. We saw growing fatigue with overly processed protein snacks and confusing claims, so there was a strong opportunity to lead with natural ingredients and transparency. Simplifying the ingredient story and making it immediately clear what’s in the product and what isn’t became a priority.”

That fatigue is increasingly visible at a category level. Miriam Aniel Oved, senior consumer insights analyst at Cargill’s TasteWise, says protein pick-me-ups continue to grow in real-world availability, particularly on menus.

“Menu mentions of protein snacks are up around 29% YoY, and operator menu share has grown by more than 30%,” she says. “What’s notable, however, is how this differs across channels: while they’re accelerating strongly on menus, social media discussions around protein snacks have softened over the past two years. That suggests protein is becoming a surefire part of everyday eating rather than a temporary on-hype trend.”

While high-protein snacks have gone mainstream in terms of availability, Aniel Oved says consumer interest is plateauing, with overall interest “stagnating to just +0.9% YoY. “The interest is still there but consumers are starting to feel oversaturated.”

Format fatigue, not protein, is the real challenge

Bars may still dominate protein snacking, but the traditional format alone is no longer enough to sustain growth. Consumers increasingly compare protein snacks directly with conventional snacks, pushing brands to compete on taste, texture and authenticity rather than nutrition claims alone.

“Consumers are demanding as never before: they are no longer satisfied with protein simply as a nutrient; they want foods that feel real, thoughtfully crafted, and authentic,” says Aniel Oved. “We see that people’s interest in authentic food is surging, it’s up 31% YoY, and ‘authentic’ menu mentions are up 18%.”

She also points to the consumer’s “growing obsession with snack formats” as a driver of innovation. Formats that integrate protein into daily routines – bars, shakes, smoothies, protein pancakes, and proffee (protein coffee) – are performing best.

“People seek protein-rich options that offer health benefits without extremes, and protein snacks stand up to all these claims.”

Other health-driven trends shaping snack development include metabolism support (+20% YoY in consumer interest), blood sugar balance (+18%), and bloating relief (+25%).

“We see snack formats evolving to match these needs. For example, mini protein bombs skyrocketed (+110% YoY growth in interest) and cottage cheese desserts rose 44%,” adds Aniel Oved.

As protein snacks proliferate, expectations have risen sharply. Consumers now benchmark them against mainstream snacks rather than niche ‘protein’ alternatives, making sensory performance central to repeat purchase.

Williams says The Protein Ball Co sees “creamy, indulgent textures and familiar flavor profiles like chocolate and coffee” as critical to driving loyalty. “The data shows protein wins when it delivers comfort and enjoyment first, and nutrition and function second.”

She believes the strongest long-term performers focus on getting the sensory experience right before layering in nutrition as a supporting benefit.

“Texture in particular plays a big role, whether that’s avoiding chalkiness, dryness or overly processed mouthfeel, and instead delivering something that feels satisfying and indulgent. We are constantly doing quality tests on our products to ensure that the texture and taste still land as we would expect it to.”

Pricing remains a factor, she notes, but says consumers are still willing to spend on products they believe contribute to their “overall wellbeing.”

Indulgent-but-functional treats are increasingly seen as a growth opportunity in protein snacking – an area Williams says The Protein Ball Co is actively exploring. “We have seen a shift towards indulgent offerings in the protein snacking space, which is something we’re very excited about. We have some products in the pipeline that cater to this, whilst still ticking the boxes for nutrition and staying true to our ‘no Junk’ promise,” she says.