# Snackable Croutons CROOTS Makes Bold, Flavor-Packed Artisanal Sourdough Bites By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-07-11 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/croots References: [thedieline](https://thedieline.com/wtf-is-inside-this-bag-of-bites-or-everything-i-learned-at-the-2026-fancy-food-nyc/) & [eatcroots](https://eatcroots.com/)  Croutons are mostly known for how well they complete a salad or soup, but CROOTS sees them differently, elevating crispy, crunchy bread bites to a craveable snack that's just as satisfying eaten straight from the bag as it is on anything else. CROOTS' snacking croutons entice health-conscious snackers with all-natural, non-GMO callouts on-pack, plus bold flavors like Garlic Cheeze, which is vegan-friendly and gets its cheesiness purely from nutritional yeast rather than cheese, and sweet-heat Sesame Hot Honey with just the right amount of a kick from cayenne pepper. Just a handful of simple ingredients go into each flavor, first and foremost artisanal sourdough bread, plus extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder and salt, plus variety-specific additions. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 80% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Snackable Staples:** Everyday meal components are being reformatted into standalone snacks, creating room for familiar pantry items to gain new premium, on-the-go occasions. - **Plant-based Indulgence:** Vegan-friendly flavor cues like nutritional yeast-based cheesiness show how better-for-you snacks can deliver indulgent taste without relying on conventional dairy. - **Artisanal Crunch:** Small-batch sourdough, simple ingredients and bold seasoning profiles position crunchy snacks as elevated alternatives to conventional chips and crackers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Snack Foods:** The category is expanding through unexpected formats that blend convenience, texture and premium ingredients for health-conscious consumers. - **Bakery:** Artisanal bread products are finding new value beyond traditional loaves, with repurposed formats opening paths into shelf-stable snacking. - **Plant-based Foods:** Dairy-free savory flavors are becoming more sophisticated, supporting broader appeal for vegan snacks that do not compromise on richness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Health-Focused Summer Menu Overhauls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/market-bowl.md) - [Gut-Friendly Bread Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sourdough-minis.md) - [Hawaiian-Inspired Caesar Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teriyaki-chicken-caesar-wrap.md) - [Croissant Crouton-Topped Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bistro-salad.md) - [Japanese-Inspired Caesar Salad](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wasabi-caesar-salad.md) - [Caesar Salad-Stuffed Croissants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicken-caesar-salad-stuffed-croissant.md) - [Veggie-Packed Chicken Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/broccoli-chicken-caesar-wrap.md) - [Cuban Christmas-Inspired Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noche-buena-bowl.md) - [Protein Swap Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beansday.md)