6 Salty Snack Debuts Populating Grocery Sets

Salty snacks logged yet another year of impressive dollar growth and, depending on the segment, unit growth materialized as well.

With the Big Game around the corner in early February, the salty snack category is sure to enjoy additional growth built on top of an already-impressive performance trajectory.  

In addition to the traditional offerings, some suppliers are touting new releases offering healthy-infused ingredients coupled with intense taste and flavor. 

Hippeas Nacho Vibes Tortilla Chips is “a consumer-requested flavor with the crunch and taste of mainstream nacho-flavored tortilla chips that was developed with better-for-you attributes,” according to the company. The new addition rounds out a Chickpea Tortilla Chip portfolio that also showcases Straight Up Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch and Sea Salt & Lime.

“This product more than stands up well next to its mainstream competitor from a taste and texture standpoint, but that’s where the comparisons end because [the product] is vegan and contain the nutritional benefits of both protein and fiber as well as no artificial colors, flavors or ingredients of any kind,” says Julia Hecht, chief marketing officer for Hippeas.

For a 52-week period ending Dec. 4, 2022 and reflecting multi outlets combined with c-stores, the consolidated salty snack category grew dollars 15.6%, with units off 0.1%. Salty snacks are a $34.97 billion market reflecting multi outlet plus convenience, according to data from Chicago-based IRI Global.

Across multiple segmentations, potato chips grew dollars 14.4% with units off 0.2%. Tostada/tortilla chips (17.3% dollar growth) represented one of four segments that registered unit growth (1.7%), an indication that consumers recognize value for a category that enjoys greater price elasticity than other store categories.

Cheese snacks, corn snacks, pretzels and ready-to-eat popcorn all logged unit growth that ranged from 0.2% to 1.4%. Pork rinds continued to scuffle, with units off 6%, according to IRI. Pork rind dollars grew a modest 1.1%.

Read ahead for a description of six recent rollouts... 

Goldfish is re-introducing limited-edition Goldfish Frank’s RedHot crackers, marking the first time the brand has brought back a limited-edition offering to the fold. Goldfish Frank’s RedHot crackers feature classic hot sauce combined with notes of vinegar and a premium blend of aged cayenne pepper. Limited-Edition Goldfish Frank’s RedHot are available for a limited time for an SRP of $3.39.

Hippeas launched the newest flavor of its Chickpea Tortilla Chips with Nacho Vibes, developed with better-for-you attributes that tout vegan/dairy-free, certified gluten-free and non-GMO. Made from chickpeas as the first ingredient, Hippeas Nacho Vibes Tortilla Chips contain 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per 1-ounce serving. Hippeas Chickpea Tortilla Chips come in three existing flavors: Straight Up Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch and Sea Salt & Lime.

Crafted from whole, organic green peas as the top ingredient and featuring sprinkle of sea salt, Calbee America recently rolled out a Harvest Snaps Artisan Baked Green Pea flavor—baked crisps that contain no artificial flavors or preservatives that are free of common allergens gluten, wheat, soy, nuts, peanuts and eggs.

Frito-Lay Minis (Frito-Lay North America) are a bite-sized interpretation of flagship Frito-Lay snacks—now conveniently packaged in an easy-to-pour canister. The bite-sized snacks come in a variety of options: Doritos Nacho Cheese, Doritos Cool Ranch, Cheetos Cheddar, Cheetos Flamin Hot, SunChips Harvest Cheddar and SunChips Garden Salsa. Frito-Lay Minis are available for an SRP of $2.79.

Hormel recently debuted several new items in the Planters snack portfolio, including holiday-inspired Planters Holiday Nut Crunch (almonds, cashews and peanuts); Planters Winter Spiced Mix (honey roasted peanuts, almonds, honey roasted sesame sticks, cashews and pecans); and Planters Holiday Trio Pack. Also available are Planters Butter Cinnamon Pecans, Planters Cocoa Almonds (almonds with dark chocolate) and Planters Brittle Nut Medley (honey roasted peanuts, yogurt-covered raisins, peanut brittle, pretzels and cashews).

Kettle Brand unveiled a limited-edition fall snack in Kettle Buffalo Bleu Flavored Tailgate Edition chips, which combines tangy buffalo with a balance of bleu cheese flavors. Kettle Brand Buffalo Bleu Flavored Tailgate Edition chips are available in 12.5-ounce bags for an SRP of $6.29.