The Top 14 Snack Trends of 2025

Snacking on the rise as line between snacks and meals blurs

Snacking is on the rise as the line between snacks and meals is blurring. Research shows that consumers are eating more meals at non-standard times and that snacks now account for over half the times younger generations eat. It’s a function of a more fragmented day that's less likely to be bookended by a context-setting commute.

High-protein everything on the rise as consumers look for any opportunity to gain muscle

Protein powder has been growing in popularity for years, and while it's a good way to add protein to shakes and smoothies, it's not very compatible with preexisting meal habits. Now, everything from high protein deserts, to high protein fast food, and the integration of protein into existing snacks like Quest Chips, are all on the rise.

Utensil-free and clean-up-free snacks

As screen time grows, and consumers increasingly watch with a phone in hand (one 2019 survey put the share of TV watchers who do this at 55%), there's a battle for the last hand, and healthy snacking options are aiming to win it by becoming one-hand-eating friendly.

Rather than a traditional meal that could require a fork, knife, and plate, TV-focused snackers are increasingly seeking out hand-held snacks. A snack for gaming, a snack for texting, or a snack for watching TV. Food companies noticed and started pushing to create snacks that are utensil-free and clean-up-free.

Consumers increasingly demand dye-free snacks

Orange cheddar cheese, and orange salmon are often not actually orange to begin with: they’re typically dyed orange to meet consumer expectations of freshness.

For centuries, cheddar cheese has been artificially colored in order to regulate color variations in milk due to seasonal changes in cows’ diets. The color most commonly seen is most extreme in Spring, when cows produce the highest fat milk which works best for cheesemaking.

Now, as consumer awareness grows, online discussion and searches for “dye free” are on the rise. Searches for “dye free” have risen more than 30% over the past year and certain niches are growing even faster: “dye free snacks” and “dye free candy” both have grown more than 150% over the past 12 months.

Alcohol takes on the gummy form factor

DIY alcohol gummies have been a party hack for decades, but the DIY version takes 24 hours to prep.

Evolving party dynamics are, in part, driving the growth of pre-packaged alcohol gummies: Party-goers increasingly have one hand occupied with their phone and card-based party games are getting more and more common.

Hosts also say taking drinks out of the equation is an easy way to avoid spills and makes them more comfortable leaving expensive furniture uncovered. A product that makes a consumer more likely to host parties and to use that product at the parties has a natural built-in viral loop.

Any time a snack is convenient to eat but inconvenient to prepare, there's an opportunity for a brand to offer a pre-packaged version.