Reviews: Kindling Packs Protein In Pretzels, Joydays Takes On TikTok Trend; Plus, Olyra, Ice Cream For Bears

In this reviews roundup, we take a bite of a Kindling Snacks’ protein-packed pretzels, honey-sweetened ice cream, a blood sugar-friendly take on a TikTok trend, and Olyra’s latest addition.

Kindling Snacks Protein Pretzels

Kodiak Cakes co-founder Cameron Smith’s second act – Kindling Snacks – brings protein to the pretzel aisle. Spanning four flavors – Sea Salt, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard and Dill Pickle – the wheat protein and chickpea flour-based snacks offer between 8 to 9 grams of protein per serving. Kindling Snacks come in 7 oz. packs that carry a clean ingredient deck full of whole grains and simple inputs like sea salt, malt, sunflower oil and yeast.

Things that stand out:

• Kindling has found a whitespace in the protein snack market with its pretzel format with minimal startup competition and no major national players making similar claims
• The texture is just what you would expect from a pretzel snack. The flavor comes through strong without being overpowering, but the Garlic Parmesan is a clear standout among the set of four.

Things to consider:

• The packaging focuses a bit too much on its fox character rather than the product itself. Food photography and more insight into what the product could do for the consumer would help strengthen the brand.
• If there is a way to keep the macros consistent across flavors we would suggest considering that change as it is unclear why the Sea Salt variety has one extra gram of protein.

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Ice Cream For Bears

Ice Cream For Bears markets “an ancestral approach” to the frozen dessert category by using high-quality ingredients in lieu of “ultraprocessed additives.” Think regenerative, grass-fed dairy and raw, unfiltered honey, as well as egg yolks instead of “gut disrupting gums.” The result is a premium French-style ice cream that rivals homemade recipes. According to the Michigan-based startup, “The future of food is in the past.”

Things that stand out:

• Cute, on-theme flavor names like Queen & Bean (vanilla bean), Roar-ange Cream (orange cream), Chocturnal (triple chocolate), Butterbear (butterscotch caramel) and Bearista (coffee cacao nib).
• Made with regenerative grass-fed dairy and no refined sugars.
• The brand has carved a niche in the frozen dessert category by using premium ingredients and not skimping on sweetness.

Things to consider:

• Not as spoonable straight out of the freezer as other ice creams, but creamy once thawed.

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Joydays Chocolate Date Bark

Joydays has expanded beyond its line of low-glycemic, fiber-packed cookies to launch its take on a TikTok trend. The brand’s new Chocolate Date Bark – available in Peanut and Almond varieties – is crafted with simple, natural ingredients including dates, chocolate, nut butter, coconut oil, crunchy roasted nuts and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Things that stand out:

• Addictively chewy texture with added crunch.
• Hits all the right flavor notes without tasting overly sweet.
• Uses fair trade organic chocolate and contains no added sugar.

Things to consider:

• This is a smart extension for a brand built on “blood sugar friendly” claims, but what’s stopping other companies from copying this recipe?

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Olyra Apple Cinnamon Grain Bites

Greek-inspired snack maker Olyra expanded its lineup of fruit and grain bites earlier this year, adding Apple Cinnamon to its existing Strawberry, Raspberry and Blueberry offerings. The clean label, organic snacks contain 150 calories, 9 grams of fiber and 6 grams of sugar per serving.

Things that stand out:

• The flavor is spot on including both the filling and the grainy outside. The inclusion of flours such as spelt, lupin and barley complements the apple cinnamon flavors very well.
• The food photography on the back of pack was a nice touch to let consumers know what to expect.
• Flavor extension is in line with the existing offerings and a smart move to differentiate considering the berry-forward approach with the other flavors available in this format.

Things to consider:

• A sturdier, more protective form of packaging such as a small cardboard box or wrap with a tray as virtually all of the products were flattened or crumbled upon arrival. Maintaining the original shape would significantly improve the experience of the on-the-go item.
• The front of pack could be better utilized to highlight key product attributes and ingredients.

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