Walnuts have a rich, complex flavor profile that offers a unique combination of earthiness, nuttiness and subtle sweetness. This distinctive taste makes them a versatile ingredient for traditional snacking mix inclusion. However, product developers are upping the ante by giving consumers what they want—more flavor, more spice and more globally-inspired ingredients that elevate snacking beyond just basic nuts.
Falling Into Pumpkin
Seasonal flavors and the need to celebrate with snacks expanded into year-round offerings in 2024, and pumpkin is no exception. USA Today reports that the “pumpkin spice invasion is in full force now.” Daily meals have mirrored seasonal flavor permeation—pumpkin cereal, pumpkin soup, pumpkin lattes and pumpkin pasta could be a pumpkin lovers’ dream menu. Squeeze in a few of these walnut- and pumpkin-based snack products for all-day nosh.
Artisan Pumpkin Spice Crisps, Rustic Bakery
The perfect accompaniment to fine cheese, or snack on them alone for a filling in-between meal delight.
Pumpkin Spice All-Natural Gourmet Walnuts, Crazy Go Nuts
A sweet walnut snack with a delicious coating made with pumpkin purée, ground spices and a touch of non-GMO cane sugar. Add ground ginger, nutmeg and cloves and it’s the perfect fall nosh.
Getting Extra Nutty
Coconut was named as a flavor to watch for in Kerry’s 2024 Taste Trends: A Macro Look at the Major Flavor Influences to Come. The prediction came to fruition, as walnut and coconut mixes reflected consumer demand for combinations that offer newstalgic experiences.
Banana Nut Trail Mix Bites, Well Market
Walnuts, bananas, coconut sugar and coconut are blended with vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg, making for a savory, sweet, crunchy snack. Snack all day thanks to resealable, standing pouch packaging.
Premium Mega Omega Mix, Power Up
Dried coconut chips and walnuts are the stars of this on-the-go snack mix. There are no artificial colors or flavors here, just a vegan-friendly, kosher certified, gluten-free top-selling trail mix.
More Spice Please
Kerry’s outlook also put the focus on what everyone in the food and beverage industry is talking about: more heat! Bring on the excitement, novelty and thrills all wrapped up in the snacking category. Consumers are still looking for comfort, however they want spicy, strange and unlikely flavor pairings. Look for walnuts paired with trending tastes like cracked black pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper to stand out on shelves.
Black Pepper & Sea Salt Sprouted Walnuts, Purely Sprouted
Walnuts seasoned with cracked black pepper and sea salt, which bring harmony to soft, woody flavors and a firm crunch. This product is nutrient dense, plant-based, gluten-free and vegan.
Organic Barbequed Walnuts & Almonds, Clif Family. Crunchy walnuts are the star of this hot mix that includes ancho chili, paprika, cumin, garlic, onion powder, mustard powder and cayenne pepper. Walnuts are toasted to perfection in this fragrant mix, then coated with a barbeque spice rub.
What walnut and (fill in the blank) flavors are you formulating the next best-selling snack product with in 2025? Let us know! Email DMikolajcik@walnuts.org.
