While 44% of consumers agree that snacking is primarily about indulgence compared to 18% who focus on nutrition, this doesn’t mean the two are mutually exclusive. Only 38% of shoppers…
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Snacks
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US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Salty Snacks Report 2025
"Expanded snacking occasions require flavors and ingredients to fill a variety of consumer needs, with opportunity to innovate across a spectrum of cravings, from nutritious to indulgent."
Mintel’s snacks market research finds a surge in consumer interest in novel and adventurous flavors. However these innovative flavors need to be balanced with the classics, as familiarity remains a strong driver for consumer.
US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Snacks – What’s New?
While almost half of US consumers agree that snacking is primarily about indulgence compared to less than a fifth who focus on nutrition, this doesn’t mean the two are mutually exclusive. Only around four in ten of shoppers stick to the same snack flavors, highlighting an openness to variety if the right balance is achieved.
But familiarity remains important, with old favorites like nacho cheese and pizza flavors maintaining their popularity. However, innovation within spicy and umami-forward profiles is sparking interest among adventurous consumers. Emerging flavors such as hatch chili, miso, and gochujang are enticing shoppers to experiment and explore new snacking options, also highlighting interest in global cuisine flavors.
The importance of crafting snack options that blend familiar and innovative flavors while aligning taste with nutritional and ingredient transparency is paramount. Combined with strong, appealing flavor descriptions, brands can cater to both curiosity and comfort, ensuring their products resonate with a broad audience.
US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Salty Snacks Report – What’s Inside?
Key Topics Analyzed in the Report
New snack flavor trial motivation
Interest in international cuisine snack flavors
Interest in and experience with flavors in salty snacks
Snacking behaviors surrounding flavors and ingredients
Snacking attitudes surrounding flavors and ingredients
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Market predictions
What consumers want & why
Opportunities
MARKET DYNAMICS
Market context
State of the market
Retail value growth has slowed across segments
Graph 1: total retail sales and forecast of snacks, by segment, at current prices, 2022-24
More than half of consumers snack daily
Graph 2: snacking frequency, 2024
Snacks are meal replacements for one in four consumers
Market drivers
GLP-1 usage is changing what consumers need from snacking
Graph 3: GLP-1 usage, 2024
Heightened conversation surrounding ultra-processed foods adds to snacking scrutiny
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Consumer fast facts
New snack flavor trial motivation
Trial motivation is multi-faceted for snack consumers
Graph 4: new snack flavor trial motivation, 2024
On-pack descriptors and limited-time flavors can take interest to the next level
Graph 5: new snack flavor trial motivation, by age, 2024
Interest in international cuisine snack flavors
Emerging international flavors remain niche in the snacking world
Graph 6: interest in international cuisine snack flavors, 2024
Global cuisine interest driven by social media for younger consumers
Graph 7: interest in international cuisine snack flavors, by age, 2024
Global cuisine flavors offer endless opportunities for snack innovation
Experience with and interest in salty snack flavors and ingredients
Umami-based flavors and ingredients have strong interest among first-time consumers
Graph 8: experience with and interest in salty snack flavors and ingredients, 2024
Younger consumers continue to look globally for snack exploration
Graph 9: experience with and interest in salty snack flavors and ingredients – NET – any positive trial or interest, by age, 2024
Variations of spicy continue to engage consumers
Graph 10: experience with and interest in salty snack flavors and ingredients, 2024
Subtle snack flavors don’t have to be boring to connect with older consumers
Graph 11: experience with and interest in salty snack flavors and ingredients – NET – any positive trial or interest, by age, 2024
Snacking behaviors
Most consumers change up their flavor choices when purchasing snacks
Graph 12: snacking behaviors, 2024
Subtle flavor innovation can motivate older consumers to break from routine
Graph 13: snacking behaviors, by age, 2024
Parents are putting in extra effort to make the most of snacking
Graph 14: snacking behaviors, by parental status, 2024
Snacking attitudes
Let flavor share the spotlight with background benefits
Graph 15: snacking attitudes, 2024
Consumer age can inform flavor innovation and beyond
Graph 16: snacking attitudes, by age, 2024
Consumers who favor flavor also lean toward indulgence and familiarity
Ingredients, nutrition and seasonality work in conjunction
INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
Product development – Now – What’s trending
The popularity of pickle brings briny flavors forefront
Briny-based flavors in salty snacks
Seasonal flavors and ingredients are becoming a staple offering from snack brands
Sweet and spicy continue to get creative
Global sweet/spicy snack innovation
High-protein snacking is helping consumers meet health goals, without sacrificing flavor
Snacks with high protein claims
Product Development – Near – What to watch for
Umami flavors pique consumer interest and showcase global ingredients
Umami-rich snacks
Fibrous ingredients help consumers snack smarter
Snacks with high fiber claims
Product development – Next – What’s in the pipeline
AI will transform and accelerate the potential of flavor innovation in snacking
Marketing and advertising
Chomps connects with on the go consumers
PopCorners campaigns on the best of both worlds
APPENDIX
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Abbreviations and terms
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