Studies reveal super six global snacking flavour trends

A major AI-enhanced study has shown a core of new innovative snacking flavours including pumpkin, dill pickles and honey being added to a range of emerging products across the world, writes Neill Barston.

Visitors to this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo will have seen a host of new items being proffered by more than 1,000 exhibitors, with novel chocolate and non-candy, as well as snacking segments showing off their latest ranges that indicated that recipe development is alive and well in 2025.

In the wake of this key event, GlobalData’s Ai Palette innovation and consumer insights platform has analyzed the data from thousands of flavours and ingredients, pinpointing six that offer FMCG brands the opportunity to satisfy the snacking habits of hungry consumers.

Each of the selected ingredients is classified as having “high growth” and “high engagement” based upon consumers interactions with them across social media, retail and restaurant industry sites over the last two years, as measured in March 2025.

Cameron McClory, an associate analyst for the group, noted: “The snacks sector is currently navigating significant challenges, such as the underlying uncertainty of tariffs, consumer goods inflation, worsening consumer sentiment, and fierce competition from alternative snacks categories. Tempting consumers with cutting edge innovation or core brand enhancements based upon new flavors and ingredients is essential for category growth in the current environment.”

In the research report, GlobalData has placed each of the six ingredients into an ingredient family, provided suggestions on ingredient pairings, and reviewed how snack brands can use these ingredients in their products.

Among the company’s analysis of six key areas, Globaldata identified Pumpkin as among the most promising. This winter squash is known for its nutty, sweet, earthy taste profile, and falls within the vegetable, pulse, and bread snacks category which is forecasted to grow globally at a value CAGR of 6.4% from 2020 to 2029, according to GlobalData’s market analyser (May 2025), creating strong potential for pumpkin-based innovation.

Pumpkin is an emerging ingredient in Canada, and as demand for plant-based, wholesome snacks rises, pumpkin offers a naturally gluten-free, high fibre and nutritional ingredient that appeals to health-conscious consumers.

As Globaldata found, Dill Pickles were another one to watch. These originally hail from Eastern Europe, and are cucumbers preserved in a brine of vinegar, salt, dill, and spices, offering brands tangy, salty, and savoury flavour options, and have proved popular in the US, pairing well with Aioli, maltodextrin, and sunflower seed.

Meanwhile Tapioca was also identified as holding potential. This starch is extracted from the cassava root, native to Brazil, and its neutral flavor and smooth texture make it suitable for a wide range of sweet and savoury recipes such as puddings, sauces and baked goods, with notable ingredient pairings including brown sugar, paprika, and seafood.

In addition, hot honey offers a mix of honey and chili peppers, originating in Brazil. This simple yet bold flavor has become an emerging ingredient in the UK snack category. As a natural sweetener with a spicy rich taste, it appeals to those consumers with a sweet tooth while offering a flavour twist that sets it apart from traditional sugary additives.

Additionally, the research found peas offer another possible snacking alternative, with  brands such as Podberry freeze-dried pea snacks and Palse Snacks roasted peas offerings, which have been especially well received in India, and relate to a  growing consumer demand for healthier, plant-based snack alternatives.

Lastly, Matcha ground tea powder, originating from China is also reportedly in demand, and is widely  widely used in snacks and beverages, and it is rapidly emerging as a prominent ingredient in Australia’s snack market. Its rich content of antioxidants contributes to improved metabolism, heart health, and cognitive function, positioning matcha as a functional ingredient that appeals to health-conscious consumers.

McClory concluded: “The six ingredients identified by GlobalData’s Ai Palette platform are emerging in real time, each possessing unique benefits that appeal to the core consumer trends of novel and experiential, environmental responsibility, and fresh and natural. These ingredients present a unique opportunity for innovation across various snacks categories, empowering brands to confidently explore new possibilities.”