2025
10
The Future of Snack Bars 2025
2025-09-09T12:02:16+00:00
REP23FF1583_B133_4FDB_BF15_83B133CFDB75
2195
186744
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Report
en_GB
The future will see snack bars evolve into guilt-free desserts, own and manage kids' nutrition, and prioritise micronutrients in personalised formulations. Hansika Subramanian, Principal Analyst - Food and Drink…
Global
Snacks
simple

The Future of Snack Bars 2025

Discover the future trends in the global snack bars market with Mintel’s Future Of report. The report identifies the key consumer and industry trends that will impact the global snack bars market over the next five years.

The most important upcoming trends in the snack bars market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside relevant insights from Mintel’s consumer data. So you can understand how consumer demands will change and identify future innovation and growth opportunities.

This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative and inspirational launches in snack bars. Understanding the future of snack bars has never been so easy.

Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis

This report was written by Hansika Subramanian. Hansika, a Principal Analyst, brings over 10 years of expertise in consumer insights, brand management, marketing and advertising. She has worked with diverse food & beverage brands, leveraging her passion for understanding behaviour and environments to reshape strategies. She holds a degree in Media Communication and an MBA.

The future will see snack bars evolve into guilt-free desserts, own and manage kids’ nutrition, and prioritise micronutrients in personalised formulations.

Hansika Subramanian
Principal Analyst – Food and Drink

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  1. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

    • Where we are now
    • In the next two years
    • In five years and beyond
  2. IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS

    • Mintel's perspective
    • Reposition snack bars as permissible dessert bars
    • Taste is king, and delicious dessert flavours are growing
    • Graph 1: flavour landscape for snack/cereal/energy bars
    • Snack bars are missing from the dessert occasion
    • Dessert bars can change the sweet game
    • Chilled bars can elevate permissible indulgence
    • Graph 2: select markets, select attributes sought for snack occasions, 2025
    • Redefine what it means to be a bar
    • Own the kids' nutrition space
    • Snack bars can ease parents' 'nutrition anxiety'
    • Snack bars can close the gap between nutritional priorities and buying habits
    • Graph 3: types of food bought for children aged 0-15 by parents, 2025
    • Graph 4: parents' priorities when buying food and drink for their children, 2025
    • Help parents juggle the competing priorities of kids' nutrition
    • Snack bars are well-positioned to close the gap in kids' nutrition
    • Graph 5: select claims within snacks with overall children claim, 2024-25
    • A pathway for bars to become a convenient solution to kids' nutrition
    • Although they are innovating, kids' snack bars  aren't doing enough to make nutrition convenient for children
    • Snack bars can set the standard for kids' health
    • Re-invent snack bars as nature's VMS
    • Micronutrients: the missing piece of the modern nutrition puzzle
    • Snack bars as nature's VMS
    • Snack bars can become multi-nutrient sources
    • Graph 6: select snack categories, select claims, 2020-25
    • Strengthen the positioning of bars as functional, nutrient-rich foods through education and communication
    • Learn how to build credibility in new functional spaces from other categories
  3. IN FIVE YEARS AND BEYOND

    • Mintel's perspective
    • Tailored nutrition will support kids' mental wellness
    • Snack bars will innovate for selective eaters
    • Graph 7: textures in snack bars with children claim, 2022-25
    • Snack bars will help kids get creative
    • Data-led nutrition will redefine health
    • Snack bars will leverage precision nutrition to solidify functional positioning
    • Despite strong appeal, price remains a barrier in sustainability
    • Snack bars will lead circular food practices
  4. KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Key takeaways

What is a 'Future of' Report?

Have you ever wondered how to get a clear view of what’s next for your industry? Forget the crystal ball, what you need is a Mintel ‘Future of’ reports. The reports offer a forward-looking perspective, helping you identify upcoming opportunities and navigate the trends that will shape your business for the next five years and beyond.

How Mintel Builds a Picture of the Future

Creating a ‘Future of’ report is a comprehensive process that combines deep data analysis with expert human insight. Here’s a look at the core components that make these reports so valuable.

Expert Insights from Category Analysts

Our dedicated category analysts are at the heart of these reports. They bring years of industry experience and a deep understanding of global markets. They interpret complex data, connect the dots, and provide you with expert recommendations on what to expect in the next two years, five years, and even further into the future. They provide the strategic thinking you need to stay ahead.

Powered by Robust Data

Our analysis is grounded in solid data. A key source is Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD), a powerful resource that tracks product innovation and launches around the world. By analysing this wealth of information, we can spot emerging patterns and shifts in the market. This data, combined with our knowledge of consumer behavior, allows us to anticipate what consumers will want next.

Designed for Forward-Thinking Strategy

Our ‘Future of’ reports are designed to help you look ahead with confidence. By focusing on trend forecasting and identifying future opportunities, these reports provide the insights you need to innovate and plan effectively. They are crafted specifically to help you anticipate market shifts and make proactive decisions, ensuring you and your business are prepared for what’s to come.

For a closer look at what's included in a Mintel Future of report, take a look at a sample PDF report below.
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables have been redacted.
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