5 Permissibly Indulgent Snacks

The permissible indulgence concept was created as a green light for consumers, promoting that it’s okay to splurge now and then—and it exists across several categories.

Over time, a growing number of varieties within multiple categories have found a way to fuse healthy ingredients with indulgent ones, making the rationalization easier for consumers.

According to Mintel research, 78% of people believe snacking can be a part of a healthy diet, and 69% want snacks that balance health and taste. Enter permissible indulgence, which means “better taste combined with better-for-you attributes,” said Paris Hogan, senior consultant at Chicago-based Mintel.

Mintel discovered that 38% of frozen novelty lovers say that they snack more often than prior to the pandemic, with 59% reporting it’s due to being at home more often. Findings also noted that 51% are snacking because they are treating themselves more often, and 50% are snacking as an added comfort.

Not frozen but chilled, Nestle Rallies Nut Butter Bombs provide what the brand calls a “rally” for consumers through the workday, and guilt-free at that.

With no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and less added sugar than other chocolate nut-butter treats, Nestle Rallies Nut Butter Bombs contain real chocolate and peanut, almond and cashew nut butters.

“As snacking and chocolate consumption have increased over the last two years, we know that consumers are seeking a balance between permissibility and indulgence,” said Jamie Harbeck, senior manager of innovation and strategy at Nestle.

The Nestle team reported there’s been 5.3% growth in permissible indulgent snacking over the last year, a trend in which consumers feel better about enjoying snacks made with both indulgent and nutritious ingredients.  

Click ahead for a glimpse of five recent releases considered as permissible-indulgent-worthy.

Designed with permissible indulgence in mind, Nestle Rallies Nut Butter Bombs are offered in Brownie Almond Butter, Salted Cashew Butter flavors, along with the newest addition of Raspberry Peanut Butter. Nestle Rallies Nut Butter Bombs are chilled to preserve freshness and flavor. One package holds three individual bite-sized nut butter bombs, available for an SRP of $2.49 per unit.

Ferrero Rocher Premium Chocolate Bars are made of carefully selected ingredients and dressed in the brand’s iconic golden wrapper with a combination of crunchy hazelnut pieces, refined chocolate and creamy fillings—all combined in distinctive layers of textures and characterized by a unique shape. The new 3.1-ounce packaged bars are available in four flavors: Original Milk Hazelnut, 55% Dark Hazelnut, White Hazelnut and Hazelnut & Almond.

NuttZo has launched its limited-edition Pumpkin Spice flavor in time for autumn. Customers can now enjoy a new twist on the brand’s popular Power Fuel Crunchy swirled with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and clove. NuttZo’s Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice is gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, vegan and contains no palm oil. Each jar is packed with nutrients and protein, accompanied by the decadent flavors of cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds.

“Our new Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice perfectly captures the feeling of autumn in a jar, and we’re excited for our customers to dig in this season,” said Danielle Dietz-LiVolsi, founder and CEO of NuttZo.

Rind Snacks Dark Cocoa Sea Salt Coconut Crisps are made with four simple ingredients—dried coconut, coconut sugar, dark cocoa powder and a hint of sea salt. Rind’s newest addition is a salty, sweet and irresistible snack combo.

“It represents our first foray into clean and wholesome seasonings and it’s the first in our line of single-serve snack bags,” said Matt Weiss, Rind founder and CEO.

With Dark Cocoa Sea Salt Coconut Crisps, Rind retains the fruit’s nutrient-rich inner husk and are dusted with real dark cocoa and a hint of sea salt. They are high in fiber with 7 grams per serving, have heart-healthy fats and are naturally low in carbs and added sugar. Crisps are available in 3.5-ounce multi-pack options and 1.4-ounce snack bags.

Chocolove returns its limited-edition Pumpkin-Shaped Bites in two flavors—peanut butter in dark chocolate and pumpkin spice in milk chocolate. Chocolove’s Pumpkin Bites are individually wrapped in resealable pouches and made with premium Belgian chocolate. They are made with 33% milk chocolate, filled with white chocolate and made with traceable cocoa beans. The treats are Rainforest Alliance Certified and Non GMO Project Verified.