# Dessert Snacking Consumers gravitate towards salty-sweet combinations in traditional snacks. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Feb 9, 2016 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/dessert-snacking ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Dessert Snacking trend? **Dessert Snacking:** In a continuation of the flavor fusion movement, traditional snacks such as chips and popcorn are being updated with sweet, often luxurious flavors. This move not only caters to more experiential palettes, but also signals the proliferation of dessert flavors across multiple categories. Despite the focus on health and wellness, this ultimately hints at a consumer who is willing to indulge hedonistic impulses in day-to-day life. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 18 to Dec 6, 2016 - Published: Feb 9, 2016 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Dessert Snacking trend ### Salty-Sweet Flavor Fusion Combining salty and sweet flavors in snacks is a continuing flavor fusion trend, resulting in more experiential snack options for consumers. ### Exotic Flavor Combinations Creating experimental and unexpected flavor combinations is a trend driving consumer interest in unique snack products. ### Healthier Snacking Products that appeal to health-conscious consumers, by using organic, whole-grain or nutrient-rich ingredients, are trending in the snack industry. ## What the Dessert Snacking trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Trends in snack products reflect consumer preferences for novel tastes, greater diversity of ingredients and healthier snacking options. Food and beverage companies can use these trends to develop new product lines that cater to evolving consumer tastes. ### For Marketing and Advertising Trends in the snack industry reflect the ever-changing tastes of consumers, creating new opportunities for marketing and advertising professionals to reach target audiences with innovative campaigns that promote new product categories and flavors. ### For Packaging As companies create new snack products to appeal to evolving consumer tastes, packaging designers have an opportunity to create packaging that reflects the product's flavor profile, ingredients and brand identity, enhancing the overall consumer experience. ## Workshop question What's a product or service in your category (not your own) that your customers adore? How could you integrate it into your own offering? ## Trend signals for Dessert Snacking Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 40%, activity 41%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 40% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Dessert Snacking trend 7 featured examples from Jan 18 to Dec 6, 2016. - [Cookie-Popcorn Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookies-and-popcorn): This Hybrid Snack Combines Cookies and Popcorn (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The snack food industry could benefit from innovation by tapping into consumers' evolving flavor preferences and creating intriguing snack hybrids. - [Yogurt-Covered Butter Popcorn](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butterkist-yogurt): This Butterkist Yogurt-Covered Popcorn is for the Experimental (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The snack food industry can take advantage of the trend towards experimental flavors and create innovative products like yogurt-covered popcorn. - [Whole Grain Popcorn Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kettle-chips): The Awesome Organics Salty Sweet Kettle Chips are Crafted with Care (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Market healthier alternatives to traditional potato chips by using health-focused ingredients, appealing to consumers seeking nutritious snack o… - [Candied Cookie Popcorn](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dessert-alternative): The Pop Works Cookies & Cream Flavor Offers a Lighter Dessert Alternative (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Potential for companies to develop and market healthy snacks that incorporate the sweetness of desserts, expanding offerings for consumers. - [Cold Weather Snack Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-potato-chip): The Jackson's Honest Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato Chips are Savory (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Health food companies can capitalize on consumers' desire for more nutritious snack options. - [Spicy Chocolate Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-chocolate-chip-cookies): Salem Baking Co. Uses Hatch Peppers in Its Spicy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Creating innovative baked goods that incorporate spicy and sweet flavor combinations, offering consumers new taste experiences. - [Festive Cookie-Flavored Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sugar-cookie-flavor): Pringles Now Come in a Sweet and Salty Sugar Cookie Flavor (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The snack food industry has an opportunity to introduce unique, holiday-inspired flavors to diversify its product offerings and potentially attract new customers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)