Snacking continuously gathers momentum from elementary school lunch swaps to snackcuterie box TikToks. According to a survey done by Food Insight, 97% of their survey respondents stated they snack at least once a week. With 33% reporting they snacked once a day and 24% saying they snacked multiple times per day. Let’s dive into why these snacking trends are making waves.

Snacks > Meals

More people are replacing traditional sit-down meals with snacks. A survey of millennials in 2021 found 70% preferred snacks to meals. But, while packaged grab-and-go snacks like nuts, trail mix, protein bars, and jerky are popular, they are not the only snacks consumers are munching on.

Life is hectic, and when people take the time to enjoy a meal, they opt for snack options like butter boards, bento boxes, and charcuterie boards/boxes. These snack boxes and boards are easily customizable for different palates, can be made with pantry ingredients, and can be prepared for one or communal consumption. Using the Ovention MiLO and MiSA ovens, C-stores and restaurants can participate in the snack trend by crafting specialty bento or snack boxes for grab-and-go or take-out. The variety of food options appeals more than a hearty plate of meat and potatoes.

Good Mood Food

“Treat yourself” has become a fun catchphrase, and snack foods are increasingly being used to assist with mood enhancement and regulation. Many consumers are trying to consume snacks for satisfaction and indulgence and as a way to consume mindfully. As a result, the market is seeing new packaged snacks that promote calm, sleep, focus, and energy through ingredients like vitamins, mushrooms, and more. This is an excellent opportunity to incorporate botanical ingredients into your menu. Botanicals like turmeric, cinnamon, and sumac have natural benefits like being anti-inflammatory. At the same time, apple cider vinegar and ginger are fantastic for digestion and gut health.

Global Snacking

Travel has been on the back burner for the last couple of years, and with that has grown the demand for food with more global flavors. Snackcrate, a multimillion-dollar company that started via Reddit, is one of the many subscription-based snack businesses that deliver foreign snacks from countries all over the world straight to the doorstep of consumers. With both the NFL and NBA hosting games overseas this year, this is an excellent opportunity to add fusion dishes to your menu. Game day is the perfect time to enjoy snack-heavy meals. Toss a batch of freshly cooked wings from the Ovention Matchbox in a gochujang-based sauce for a delightfully spicy and tangy twist on a game-day favorite.

While the pandemic brought a considerable rise in delivery and online shopping, the snack industry still thrives on impulse in-store purchases. With snack cravings here to stay, make it easier to fulfill your consumers’ wants with plenty of snack options. Are you interested in learning more about how an Ovention Oven can help expand your snack menu? Then, schedule a culinary consultation today!