FLAVOR
Sweet Treats to Savory Heat: The Next Wave of Snacking Innovation
September 4, 2025 | TRENDS
The definition of snacks is shifting, and consumers are driving the change. Snackers aren’t just reaching for pretzels or potato chips – they’re craving exciting flavors, unexpected formats, and options that fit every part of their day. From school lunches to office breaks to late-night cravings, brands are pushing boundaries and reimagining familiar favorites. Let’s look at the bold flavors reshaping snacking this year and beyond.
Flavor & Format Mashups
Consumers are craving both familiarity and the thrill of the unexpected. Flavor mashups are gaining popularity, from cross-brand collaborations to familiar flavors in unexpected formats. Clif Bar launched an Oreo-flavored protein bar to capture the attention of functionally minded consumers seeking a new, indulgent twist. Generation Z is leading the charge, showing less loyalty to any one format or flavor and eagerly exploring what’s new. With 68% of consumers open to trying snacks from unfamiliar brands (Mintel), there’s plenty of room for innovation that surprises and satisfies.
Trendsetters: Clif Bar, Dove, BIGS, Hostess, Cheez-It
Kid-Friendly Snacks Go Functional
Parents are rethinking snack time, seeking options that are both convenient and better for their kids. Today, kid-friendly snacks are evolving into everyday household staples – think fortified cereal bars, protein-packed meat snacks, and GoGo Squeez’s new Pineapple Yogurt, which blends familiar flavors with functional appeal. In fact, 50% of households with children regularly purchase yogurt as a snack, followed closely by cereal bars (43%), meat snacks (42%), and protein bars (39%) (Mintel). Another example of a better-for-you snack is New Primal’s chicken sticks, which tap into the growing popularity of meat- based snacks for their natural protein content and alignment with whole food diets.
Trendsetters: GoGo Squeez, New Primal, Nature Valley, Simply Nature, Goldfish
Savory & Spicy Snacks Turn Up the Heat
Savory and spicy are stepping into the spotlight, appealing to consumers who crave bold and innovative flavors. Hot honey, tajin covered sweets, and chili lime are all bold, spicy flavors showcasing consumers’ want for more heat in their everyday snacks. 32% of consumers are interested in chips with spicy flavors, while 26% of consumers want spicy flavors available in any salty snack format. Generation Z is driving demand for spicy and adventurous flavors and are less tied to a single favorite snacking category. As interest in spice grows, snacks like Outlaw Snax’s Spicy Ranch chips are leveling up from indulgence to intentional choice.
Trendsetters: Outlaw Snax, Pop & Sol, On the Border, Cheetos, Market District
Taste the Trend
Peach Lemonade
Juicy peach meets fresh citrus for a fruity,
refreshing finish.
Natural, Non-GM
Tiramisu
Sweet and creamy layers infused with bold coffee and smooth chocolate undertones.
Natural, Non-GM
Chili Lime Fire Seasoning
Zesty lime paired with an intense red chili heat
for a fiery kick.
Natural, Non-GM
Flavorchem and Orchidia Fragrances specialize in the creation and manufacturing of flavor, fragrance, and ingredient solutions.