During the pandemic, consumers wanted more from spreads, dips and nut butters, resulting in a unique opportunity for food manufacturers to experiment with comfort and diversity through new product development. Now that the world has reopened, consumers want to entertain and be wowed with unique product flavors and textures, especially when it comes to dips, spreads and walnut butters.
Diving into Walnut Dips and Spreads
The global dips and spreads market showed an “unprecedented and staggering” 12.62% growth during the pandemic, according to Fortune Business Insights. Permeating even further is the estimate of growth expected by 2029 — a compound annual growth rate of 5.43% amounting to a $132.2 billion industry.
Mintel’s 2023 Dips and Savory Spreads Market Report says “versatility is the cornerstone of growth for dips and spreads, and brands have a few paths to get there.” Walnut-based dips and spreads have been steadily gaining in popularity due to several factors:
- Increased Demand for Plant-Based Spreads: Plant-based walnut spreads are a nutritious, sustainable alternative to traditional spreads. Walnuts also can be used to thicken sauces, dips and spreads by being blended with water to serve as a cream base.
- Globally-inspired Interest: Consumers are looking for diversity and a new way to travel through their taste buds. Americans want to try new foods that they have never tasted before, especially when it comes to global cuisines from Asia and the Middle East. Many of these dips and spreads traditionally feature walnuts prominently.
- The Savvy Consumer: Dip and spread lovers are reading the ingredient label more than ever before, and it’s no longer an acceptable practice to use whatever ingredients you can to accomplish formulation goals. Consumers want easy-to-pronounce, whole food ingredients, and walnuts certainly fit into that category.
Here are some exceptional made-with-walnut examples of dips and spreads:
Pumpkin Jam with Walnut, Jugais
Classic pumpkin jam with a walnut twist. The result is a creamy, tasty jam with a crispy texture free of artificial ingredients. It’s vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO.
Muhammara Walnut Dip, Haig’s Delicacies
Mediterranean-inspired savory blend of pomegranates, roasted red peppers and ground walnuts. The dip is non-GMO certified and kosher.
Walnut Lemon Pesto, Dr. Smood
Formulated in Italy, this Walnut Lemon Pesto archives the perfect balance of quality, freshness and flavor thanks to walnuts that perfect the creamy, yet crunchy texture. This plant-based sauce is ready-to-serve and dairy-free.
Fig & Walnut Butter, Stonewall Kitchen
This flavor combination of walnuts and figs is the perfect topper for ice cream, cake or breakfast pastries. The product is gluten-free and non-GMO.
The Walnut Butter Craze
It’s not just dips and spreads having all of the innovation fun. Walnut butters also are having their day in the sun due to ticking off many boxes of what consumers are looking for.
- Growing Interest in Nutritious Walnut Butters. Walnut butters are gaining traction as a delicious alternative to other nut butters due to their nutritional value. One ounce of walnuts offers 18 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat and 13 grams of polyunsaturated fat including 2.5 grams of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – the plant-based omega-3. Plus, one ounce of walnuts is a powerhouse of important nutrients for optimum health, including protein (4 grams), fiber (2 grams) and they are a good source of magnesium (45 milligrams) and vitamin B6 (0.2 mg per ounce).
- Creative Uses of Walnut Butters: In addition to being used traditionally — on toast or crackers — walnut butters are being used in a variety of ways, like in smoothies and as salad dressings.
Here are a few walnut butter examples that show the versatility of the product:
Craft Maple Bliss Nut Butter, Mixed Up
The Mixed Up team suggests pairing this delicious walnut butter with goat cheese, apples or a glass of cabernet for an elevated eating experience. This walnut butter is vegan, with no palm oil, refined sugars or artificial preservatives.
Chocolate Walnut Butter, Nutty Gourmet
New Nutty Gourmet Kiddos Chocolate Walnut Butter was created to expose the power of walnuts as a nutritious nut for the entire family. Fueling kids for the future, this walnut butter has a hint of sweetness.
Organic with Sea Salt Walnut Butter, Crazy Go Nuts
This slightly salty nut butter spread comes with only two ingredients: walnuts and sea salt. With a thick and smooth texture, this walnut butter is light and fluffy when stirred. It’s not as dense or as runny as other nut butters, and it has 2 grams of dietary fiber and 4 grams of protein per serving.
Original Walnut Butter, Wellnut Farms
A better-for-you walnut butter designed for pretzel dipping or walnut butter and jelly sandwiches. The flavor and texture are pure, creamy and delicious.
For more information on formulating a versatile walnut dip, spread or butter, email kseiz@walnuts.org.
These products are mentioned for informational purposes only and inclusion does not imply an endorsement.
