We’ve seen a boom of new made-with-walnut snack products this year as a result of the continuing snackification of most Americans. In particular, bite-size snacks featuring walnuts have taken center stage in the category in a wide variety of shapes and flavor combinations.
State of the Bite-Sized Snacking Industry
The snacking lifestyle in the U.S. is thriving, according to Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive and practice leader of client insights at Circana. In a recent webinar, Wyatt highlighted a few key reasons why Americans are snacking more.
- The increase of snacking occasions. Young consumers are driving this growth, which amounts to an 8% increase in two years, according to Circana’s annual 2023 Snacking Survey. Afternoon and evening remain prime snacking times, but mornings are on the rise for 29% of consumers.
- Portion sizes. Bite-sized portions are trending. 61% of consumers want more convenient sizes that aid in the grab-and-go lifestyle.
- Better for you, permissible and wellness aren’t just buzzwords. They’re key drivers for consumer purchase decisions in snacking, but indulgence is still a mainstay. The trick is to provide consumers with the ultimate balance: permissible indulgence.
“Better for you is still alive and well. It’s just that consumers love their indulgent snacks. They always have; they always will. And we know that in tough times, we all want to feel better, and sometimes, that’s just your favorite snack that makes you feel better,” Wyatt said.
Bite-sized walnut snacks provide consumers with the perfect answer to the wish list. They provide snack lovers the opportunity to enjoy their favorite snacks with delicious, better-for-you options any time of the day. We found a few great options on show floors throughout the summer that are sure to be grabbed off supermarket shelves.
Fig and Walnut Bites, Fichi
Fichi’s Fig & Walnut Bite flavor is an on-the-go snack, dessert or charcuterie board addition. There are no added sugars, and Fig & Walnut Bites are gluten-free and vegan.
Sierra Trail Bites Cranberry Walnut, Sunsweet
Sierra Trail Bites, a nutrition packed bite, is smartly positioned as a “healthy superfood snack.” Low in sugar, Sunsweet’s Cranberry Walnut includes pronounceable ingredients — walnuts, dates, prunes and cranberries — in a portable pouch
Banana Bread Walnut Bites, Abby’s Better
A simple, easy and clean fix to cravings are these bite-size snacks that feature walnuts, dates, unsweetened cocoa, pink Himalayan salt and rice flour. These Chocolate Walnut Bites taste like brownie batter. Permissible indulgence indeed!
Maple Cinnamon Apple Walnuts, Pear’s Snacks
Whether a snack craving hits morning, noon or night, Pear’s Snacks has consumers covered with an anytime bite-sized nosh. The Maple Cinnamon Apple Walnuts variety is made with walnuts, apple bits and natural maple flavor.
These products are mentioned for informational purposes only and inclusion does not imply an endorsement.
Formulating a made-with-walnut bite-sized snack for the 2024 expo season? Email kseiz@walnuts.org and let us know!
