8 Intriguing Packaged Snacks

Consumers are looking for a host of future-forward taste profiles when it comes to the packaged snacks they select.

An economical selection during inflationary times, bagged snacks are growing in volume each year, both in-line and through the allure of eye-catching end cap displays dotted across supermarket perimeters.

Snacks with few ingredients are growing, as are ones with spicy formulations. Crisps made with ingredients such as dried coconut and dark cocoa powder have arrived at retail. Others making an impression feature stone-ground, dry-roasted sesame seeds, dried cranberries and almonds.

On the exotic side, find packaged snacks anchored by shiitake mushrooms as the first ingredient, as well as varieties infused with ghost pepper, jalapeno and sweet and spicy dill pickle.

Click through to sample eight recent packaged snack debuts arriving in the grocery channel.

Rind Snacks Dark Cocoa Sea Salt Coconut Crisps (Rind Snacks Inc.) are made with four ingredients—dried coconut, coconut sugar, dark cocoa powder and a hint of sea salt. Crisps retain the fruit’s nutrient-rich inner husk and are dusted with real dark cocoa and hint of sea salt. The snack is high in fiber at 7 grams per serving and formulated with heart-healthy fats. It is available in 3.5-ounce multi-packs and 1.4-ounce snack bags.

NuttZo launched a limited-edition Pumpkin Spice flavor—a twist on the brand’s Power Fuel Crunchy that’s 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 decadent flavors of cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds.

Food Network TV recipe star The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) debuted a line of packaged snack mixes in three flavors: Pecan Sticky Buns Snack Mix (honey-roasted pecans, white confectionary mini cups, cinnamon sugar and more); Knock You Naked Snack Mix (gourmet caramel corn, salted pecans, mini brownie cookies and more): and Spicy Cowgirl Snack Mix (mix of almonds, cashews and pecans coated in blend of cocoa powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper). All three are available for an SRP of $4.98.

Made with intense seasoning ingredients, Paqui Chips Haunted Ghost Pepper (Amplify Snack Brands Inc.) represents the spiciest flavor in Paqui’s chip lineup, as the variety contains a mix of Ghost Pepper, Cayenne Pepper and Chipotle Pepper. Other flavors include Fiery Chile Limon, Jalapeno Tropicale, Zesty Salsa Verde and Mucho Nacho Cheese, the latter made with real cheddar and real spices. Paqui’s everyday chips are Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. They are available for an SRP of $8.99 per package.

Made with 100% stone-ground, dry-roasted sesame seeds, SoCo Tahini sesame butter can be applied as a dip, dressing, spread or binding ingredient. Three varieties include Artisanal Tahini, Tahini and Pesto, and Tahini and Dates. All SoCo tahini is vegan, kosher, Non-GMO, keto, paleo, gluten-free and sustainably grown with no added sugar. The variety is also fat-free, sugar-free and allergen-friendly.

Vlasic (Conagra Brands) turns up the heat with two recently released pickle chip flavors. Vlasic Sweet Heat Pickle Chips provide a sweet and spicy spin on regular dill pickles, while Vlasic Xtreme Heat Pickle Chips are noted for taking heat to another level with a spicy, juicy crunch, according to the manufacturer. 

For consumers seeking the superpowers of mushrooms, Popadelics Crunchy Shiitake Mushroom Chips offer intense flavor combinations made using a revolutionary cooking method. SKUs include trippin’ truffle parm, twisted thai chili, rad rosemary + salt and variety packs. Each bag is 4 ounces and contains four individual 1-ounce servings (about 9 chips per serving).

Good Planet Foods plant-based Snack Packs are individually packaged and available in two flavors: Smoked Gouda with Dried Cranberries and Almonds as well as Cheddar with Dried Cranberries and Cashews. Good Planet Snack Packs are available for an SRP of $1.99.