Far from being the preserve of gym-goers and body builders, snacks have been enjoying a not-so-quiet evolution in recent times.
Those additive-laden protein bars of yore may still be around, but discerning shoppers are replacing them with natural alternatives – nuts and nut butters, protein-rich dairy snacks and such as biltong.
Swicy
This trending hybrid of sweet and spicy is showing up in all sorts of places in 2026, and snacks are flying off shelves.
For an extra foodie sales tool, try adding a sense of provenance and value via named chillies… “Swicy isn’t going anywhere, and we’re going to be seeing it evolve with named chillies, like fruity aji amarillo or smoky chipotle,” says Stephen Parkins-Knight in Waitrose Food & Drink Report 2025.
GLP-1-friendly
Weight-loss medications have been hitting the headlines for a while now, but intel around how vital it is for those taking them to be smart about the (limited) food and drink they’re still consuming is only now becoming commonplace.
Nutrient-density is key here – every bite counts – so GLP-1 users who are looking for long-term benefits are seeking out snacks that not only satisfy them but provide the goodness they need all in one place.
Whole food-based snacks such as trail mixes and fruit and nut bars will do well here, as will dips such as protein-rich clean-label hummus, and with appetites limited this could form one of the main meals of the day so merchandise alongside healthy bedfellows – for example, wholewheat pitta or fresh vegetables alongside a naturally healthy dip.
More orders per table
Traditional menus are often structured around a fixed revenue model featuring appetizers, main courses, and desserts. When bar snacks replace the evening meal, things work differently. While snacks do have a relatively low food cost and require minimal preparation, serving just a plate of bitterballen and a serving of fries won’t help you, as a business owner, achieve the desired revenue per table.
Successful concepts therefore aim for multiple ordering moments per seat, with guests ordering various small dishes throughout their visit. This creates a more stable and higher revenue per table. Additionally, focusing on beverage sales is essential, as beverages make a significant contribution to the margin during the happy hour.
1. Simple Mills Nut & Seed Trail Bars
It was love at first bite with these trail bars. They’re jam-packed with sunflower seeds, almonds, and pecans to give them that satisfying crunchy and chew. Available flavors include Almond Pecan, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and my personal favorite, Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt. It doesn’t hurt that they use clean ingredients, so you don’t have to feel guilty about snacking all day long.
2. Good Foods Spicy Tzatziki Dip & Spread
If this were a ranking, this would be top contender for first place. Good Foods blew me away with its latest dairy dip releases, especially the Spicy Tzatziki. I especially like that it was spicier than most snacks on the market but not uncomfortably so. It is creamy and fresh-tasting with its cucumbers, Greek yogurt, serrano and jalapeño peppers. I tried it with everything from cucumber slices and baby carrots to chips, but it’s heavenly when paired with Miss Vickie’s Jalapeño Potato Chips. Of course, dipping is only the start. One Target customer said “it’s the perfect upgrade to my Mediterranean bowls.”
3. Wilde Protein Crackers
I’ve been a fan of Wilde for a while, but these protein crackers took my fandom to another level. The crackers come in four flavors: Smoked Gouda, Classic Cheddar, Hot Honey, and Buffalo Cheddar. For me, the Classic Cheddar was exquisite. You wouldn’t even know it’s made of chicken. One Target customer even said they were “better than Cheez-Its,” noting that “they have clean ingredients and low carbs and high protein.”
4. Kashi Blueberry Almond Gut Health Granola
Something Sweet – Chocolate Chip Cookie Card
A show-stopping 5″x7″ gift box that doubles as a greeting card, perfectly sized for an indulgent 18oz giant cookie. Sweet, thoughtful, and ready to impress—
your message and dessert delivered in one unforgettable package.
It’s never been a better time to get into alt-chips. Paro’s lentil crisps have the kind of deep crunch that’s hard to get outside of a thick-cut house-made potato chip.
They also serve as blank slates for the flavors that coat them, Jalapeño Mint chutney and a smoky BBQ Tikka, which recall the tastes Paro creator Umaimah Sharwani grew up with.
One tester said: “I’ll be honest: The idea of a lentil chip is not immediately appealing to me. I’ve become too accustomed to potatoes and corn.
But the big crunch and smoky-earthy flavor from both the BBQ tikka spices dusting the chips and from the lentils themselves have made me a convert
A show-stopping 5″x7″ gift box that doubles as a greeting card, perfectly sized for an indulgent 18oz giant cookie. Sweet, thoughtful, and ready to impress—your message and dessert delivered in one unforgettable package.
Strawberry Moochies
Experience a “lil’ smooch” of flavor with Strawberry Moochies. These bite-sized, strawberry-flavored gummies are coated in silky milk chocolate and finished with a delicate white chocolate drizzle. A playful and premium multi-textured treat that perfectly blends fruity sweetness with rich cocoa.
Paro Lentil Crisps Bold Global Flavors
It’s never been a better time to get into alt-chips. Paro’s lentil crisps have the kind of deep crunch that’s hard to get outside of a thick-cut house-made potato chip. They also serve as blank slates for the flavors that coat them, Jalapeño Mint chutney and a smoky BBQ Tikka, which recall the tastes Paro creator Umaimah Sharwani grew up with.
One tester said: “I’ll be honest: The idea of a lentil chip is not immediately appealing to me. I’ve become too accustomed to potatoes and corn. But the big crunch and smoky-earthy flavor from both the BBQ tikka spices dusting the chips and from the lentils themselves have made me a convert
I’ve tried my fair share of new granola releases this year, and this one kept me coming back for more. You cannot beat the taste of a real (dried) berry. Kashi’s gut-friendly granola has chicory root, which gives it a boost of fiber, as well as gut-activated cultures to complement the fiber. Best of all, it tastes great in your favorite yogurt.
Puffy Pop – Iced Lemon Loaf – Ultra Premium Puff Corn
Heavenly, melt in your mouth puffs that taste just like Iced Lemon Loaf cake. It’s better than popcorn! Puffy Pop is ultra premium puff corn that has no kernels and no hulls, so no shells get stuck in your teeth.
Fiber, protein, and “clean” eating
A study published by the indicated that consumers’ definitions of what “a healthy food” is continue to evolve. Based on the report, the percentage of survey participants who selected “minimal or no processing” and “limited or no artificial ingredients or preservatives” as being “healthy” increased from 20% and 18%, respectively, in 2022 to 28% and 25%, respectively, in 2025. Also, between 2022 and 2025, the share of survey participants who selected “good source of protein” as a definition of a healthy food rose from 30% to 38%, while “good source of fiber” increased from 24% to 28%.
Game Day Party Planning Tips
Pro tip: For larger gatherings, multiply each serving by your guest count and add 10% extra to account for hearty appetites and seconds.
Create variety without overcooking:
- Small group (4-6 people): Focus on fewer items but larger portions per dish.
- Medium group (8-12 people): Prioritize variety over high volume to cater to different tastes.
- Large group (15+ people): Focus on multiple stations of the same item and foods that are easy to make in bulk, like meatballs, dips, and wings.
- For events like tournaments that span multiple days, lean on slow cookers and snack boards.
Yasso Spoonables
Haven’t you heard? Fro-yo is so back. People in New York and Los Angeles are lining up around the block for the tasty summer treat—and Yasso, maker of one of the freezer aisle’s most popular frozen yogurt bars, isn’t going to be left out. Late last year the brand released its line of Spoonables: 14-oz. tubs of frozen Greek yogurt in classic flavors like Mint Chocolate Chip, Fudge Brownie, and Cookies ’n Cream. Far from the “ice cream lite” version of fro-yo that was popular in the ’90s, Yasso’s product is rich, smooth, and bursting with mix-ins. The 19 grams of protein per container is just a bonus.