The market shows a trend toward healthy, organic and gluten-free puffed and extruded snacks. Better-for-you options, such as puffed/popped ancient grains, are building steam. Other key trends involve inclusion of higher protein and fiber levels, snacks featuring pulse ingredients, and unique textures that give the consumer a better eating experience.
“It really is an opportunistic market, as we have moved from a more-limited scope of ingredients used in snack foods to basically having no limit of pairings of flavors,” says Tara Froemming, marketing coordinator, Healthy Food Ingredients, Fargo, ND.