# Fry-Shaped Potato Snacks The 'Spud Crunchies' from Trader Joe's Look Like French Fries By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-01-03 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spud-crunchies References: [traderjoes](https://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/spud-crunchies) As an alternative to introducing a potato snack in the form of a [thin crisp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folded-potato-chips), [Trader Joe's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fancy-cheese-crunchies) launched its Spud Crunchies Potato Snacks with a shape that reminds of fries. The crunchy snacks are touted as "salty, crunchy, shelf-stable French fries" that are made with just three simple ingredients: American-grown Russet potatoes, canola oil and salt. To achieve the light and crisp texture of the product, a low temperature is used during the cooking process. Over the past few years, many consumers have been looking for [alternatives to potato chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sprouts-avocado-oil-potato-chips), as well as snacks that help them to rediscover the familiar flavors and textures of potato snacks—that they have come to know and love—in a new way. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: 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 ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Potato Snack Alternatives:** Consumer demand for alternative potato snacks will continue to grow. - **Fry-shaped Snacks:** Snacks resembling fries will be a popular trend in the snack industry. - **Minimal Ingredient Snacks:** Snacks with minimal ingredients will continue to gain popularity. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Snack:** The snack industry will benefit from the trend towards alternative potato snacks. - **Food Retail:** Food retail industry will benefit from consumers discovering new potato snacks. - **Food Production:** Food production companies can capitalize on the trend towards minimal ingredient snacks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heirloom Corn-Based Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fancy-cheese-crunchies.md) - [Dried Shishito Pepper Crisps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shishito-crisps.md) - [Cup-Style Potato Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/idahoan-foods.md) - [Fry-Style Snack Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pipcorn-fries.md) - [Air-Fried French Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-fried-french-fries.md) - [Crispy Potato Tot Croutons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-croutots.md) - [Customizable Potato Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fry-bags.md) - [Colorful Root Veggie Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/root-vegetable-fries.md) - [3D Potato Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-potato-bites.md)