Healthy Free-From Snacks Are Trending
When creating free-from snacks, free‑from often also ends up meaning free-from taste. With the share of launches making a sugar-related claim more than doubling from 6% in 2015 to 14% in 2019, the expansion in this space is clearly an opportunity not to be missed. Yet, despite rapidly growing demand for indulgent snacks with healthier nutrition profiles, reduced-sugar and -sodium products often leave consumers disappointed.
Even with data showing that sugar remains a major concern for consumers, with two thirds of all UK adults worried about the amount of sugar in food and non-alcoholic drinks*, food manufacturers are struggling with creating great tasting free-from snacks and drinks that succeed in the market.
All of this demand has led to an explosion of free-from products, all fighting for shelf space. While earlier products could get away with delivering a less-than-satisfying experience, today’s more competitive climate simply won’t sustain inferior tasting options. Food developers who can’t deliver the taste profiles customers expect, in healthier formulations, will be left off the shelves. This is supported by the 2020 Innova Consumer Survey which indicated that consumers’ top four reasons for considering plant-based alternatives were health, diet variety, sustainability, and taste.
Nutritional Benefits Of Free-From Snacks
Free-from snacks offer a range of health advantages, making them an appealing choice for health-conscious consumers. These snacks often exclude common allergens like gluten, dairy, and nuts, catering to individuals with specific dietary needs such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance. Nutrient-dense ingredients like quinoa, oats, and dried fruit provide essential vitamins and minerals. For instance, gluten-free snacks can incorporate whole grains and nutrient-rich seeds, while dairy-free snacks might use alternatives like almond milk or cashew cream. Additionally, many free-from snacks are low in added sugar and preservatives, making them a healthier option for those looking to reduce their intake of refined sugar and artificial additives.
Common Ingredients in Free-From Snacks
Creating delicious and healthy free-from snacks involves using a variety of alternative ingredients:
- Alternative Flours: Almond flour, coconut flour, and oat flour are popular gluten-free options that add texture and flavor to baked goods like brownies and cookies.
- Natural Sweeteners: Maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar provide sweetness without the need for refined sugar.
- Plant-Based Proteins: Quinoa, chia seeds, and pea protein are excellent sources of protein for nut-free and soy-free snacks.
- Healthy Fats: Avocado, coconut oil, and peanut butter offer nutritious fats that enhance the flavor and texture of snacks.
- Whole Grains: Oats, brown rice, and whole grain thins contribute fiber and nutrients to gluten-free snacks.
- Superfoods: Ingredients like dried fruit, dark chocolate, and cashews add nutritional value and variety to free-from snacks.
Consumer Trends & Preferences
The free-from snacks market is experiencing significant growth, driven by evolving consumer trends and preferences. According to recent surveys, consumers are increasingly seeking allergen-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free snacks due to dietary restrictions and health concerns.
Products like veggie crisps, protein bars, and snack bars are popular among those following specific diets like keto and paleo. The demand for snacks with simple ingredients and no added sugar is also on the rise, as health-conscious consumers prefer options free from preservatives and artificial flavors.
Brands like Simple Mills and Hippeas are leading the way by offering nutrient-dense, allergen-free snacks that cater to these growing preferences.
Challenges In Developing Free-From Snacks
Developing free-from snacks presents several challenges for food developers. One of the primary difficulties is maintaining taste and texture, especially when omitting ingredients like gluten, dairy, and eggs.
Achieving the right flavors without using traditional ingredients requires innovative approaches and high-quality alternatives. Ensuring that the snacks are crispy or crunchy without gluten or grains can be particularly challenging.
Additionally, creating snacks that are shelf-stable without preservatives while still appealing to consumer tastes requires careful formulation. Balancing health benefits with consumer satisfaction is crucial, as free-from snacks must deliver on both nutrition and taste to succeed in a competitive market.
How Do You Meet Demand?
How can you build culinary indulgence into sweet and salty free-from snacks? Simple—with dairy flavors, including dairy flavors that are completely dairy-free and vegan. That’s what’s so surprising about authentic dairy flavor: it delivers the foundational layers of richness that help food product developers achieve Gold Standard taste for products without gluten, dairy, allergens and more.
Edlong has long delivered the dairy taste that makes an impact, including nearly 300 dairy-free and vegan flavors. The off-notes from plant proteins can give healthy alternatives a bad name. But our dairy flavors mask those unfriendly notes while bringing back the mouthfeel and richness that may otherwise be missing when creating free-from snacks.
At Edlong we are also experts at satisfying global, cultural and local palates when creating free-from snacks. For example, we’ve showcased innovative demos made with Edlong flavors including a dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan caramel and chili cheese popcorn mix that featured rich buttery notes along with white chocolate and cheesecake flavors, paired with a spicy chili cheese. At one of our expo booths, we also once sampled a delicate vegan meringue treat made from aquafaba, that masked the meaty and metallic notes of chickpeas with a sweet, natural vanilla custard flavor and texture.
In short, free-from doesn’t have to mean free from indulgence, sweetness and deliciousness. Edlong helps create free-from products that will leave food manufacturers and product developers free from worry, and customers satisfied.
This article is from our Dairy Can Be Indulgent e-book that features more trend information and advice for developing indulgent healthy snacks. Download the e-book now to read the full e-book and learn more about Turning “Free-From” Into “Yes-Please” as well as to see What Makes a Flavor Authentic? and more!
*Mintel’s Attitudes towards Sugar and Sweeteners – UK, September 2019 Report
Topics: Clean labelHealthy ReductionSnacks & bakery
Resource Type: Article