# Star-Shaped Veggie Snacks Dr. Praeger's Southwestern Black Bean Crunchy Stars are Air Fryer-Ready By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2024-05-24 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southwestern-black-bean-crunchy-stars References: [snackandbakery](https://www.snackandbakery.com/articles/111370-dr-praegers-expands-distribution-unveils-new-products) & [drpraegers](https://www.drpraegers.com)  The [Dr. Praeger's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-veggie-fries) Southwestern Black Bean Crunchy Stars are the latest offering from the better-for-you frozen food brand that are crafted with taste, texture and nutrition in mind. The product features five different veggies in the recipe and is perfect for being [prepared in the air fryer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mccain-air-fryer-range) for a quick, crisp snack at leisure. The product is arriving alongside an additional product at 475 Target retail locations in the US to provide shoppers with the perfect option to pick up on their next shopping trip. CEO Andy Reichgut spoke on the Dr. Praeger's Southwestern Black Bean Crunchy Stars saying, "We’re excited to introduce these new products and expand our distribution to reach even more consumers across the country. At [Dr. Praeger’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-stars), we’re committed to providing delicious and convenient veggie-forward options made with quality ingredients, and we’re delighted to offer these new choices to our customers.” Image Credit: Dr. Praeger’s ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 24% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - 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 - **Veggie-based Snacks:** The rise of veggie-based snacks crafted with diverse vegetables offers consumers healthier yet tasty alternatives to traditional snacks. - **Air Fryer Convenience:** Air fryer-ready products are gaining popularity as they meet the demand for quick and convenient meal prepping. - **Plant-forward Innovations:** Plant-forward food innovations that prioritize nutrition and flavor are carving a niche in frozen food aisles. ### Who This Affects Most - **Frozen Food Industry:** The frozen food industry is seeing a surge in demand for healthier, convenient snack options that cater to busy lifestyles. - **Retail Expansion:** Expanding product distribution in large retail chains like Target allows brands to reach a broader audience and increase market penetration. - **Health-conscious Snacks:** The market for health-conscious snacks is growing as consumers become more aware of their dietary choices and look for nutritious options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Star-Shaped Veggie Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-stars.md) - [Family-Friendly Pizza-Inspired Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dr-praegers-pizza-stars.md) - [Veggie-Packed Cheesy Macaroni Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-stars.md) - [Crunchy Veggie Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crunchy-veggie-burgers.md) - [Vegan Veggie Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-veggie-fries.md) - [Delectable Veggie Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delectable-veggie-burgers.md) - [Mexican Street Food Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mexicanstyle-street-corn-cheesy-bites.md) - [Air Fryer Snack Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strong-roots-air-bites.md) - [Frozen Vegan Chicken Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perfect-chick-n.md)