Notable New Products: Mini Bacon Sticks, Hoppy Hot Sauce and Chickpea Cascatelli

Although the trend of low-sugar foods continues to gain momentum, that does not mean consumers are willing to forgo sweets altogether. According to Mondelēz’s annual State of Snacking report better-for-you indulgent treats are in high demand and recent product launches may indicate that food makers are doubling down on category innovation with new formats and flavor. Check out the latest from brands including Cocomels, Ruby Jewel and Highkey.

Zoup!

Premium soup brand Zoup! launched a new line of shelf-stable soups in Chicken & Riced Cauliflower, Spicy Chicken ‘Chilada, Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Sage, Tomato Bisque and Garden Vegetable varieties. The new products are made with either the brand’s Bone or Vegetable broth and are kettle-cooked in small batches. Zoup!’s gourmet soup line is packaged in 16 oz. glass jars and available online and at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $5.99 per jar.

Cocomels

Coconut milk caramel maker Cocomels expanded its low sugar lineup with the introduction of two chocolate-covered bites in Sea Salt and Crispy varieties. The vegan treats are sweetened with allulose and covered in 60% dark chocolate. The crispy variety is made with crisped quinoa to give the chocolate an added crunch. The new bite varieties are available online and at Sprouts Farmers Market stores for an MSRP of $5.99 per 3 oz. bag.

A Dozen Cousins

A Dozen Cousins introduced a new line of seasoning sauces to its portfolio of bone broth rice and seasoned bean pouches. The new line includes six new products, three entree sauces – Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, Peruvian Pollo A La Brasa and Mexican Pollo Asado – and three rice seasoning sauces: Mexican Red Rice, Caribbean Coconut Rice and Arroz Con Gandules. The flavor pouches include a combination of vegetables, herbs and spices and are available online for $35 per 10-pack.

Vermont Smoke & Cure

Meat snack maker Vermont Smoke & Cure released a new .5oz go-pack format for its Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon Pork meat sticks. Vermont Smoke & Cure’s new mini meat sticks are available at select retailers nationwide for $5.49 per 6-count pack.

Ruby Jewel

Oregon-based, locally-sourced novelty ice cream brand Ruby Jewel unveiled its latest seasonal offering: Strawberry Lemon Ice Cream Sandwich. The spring-theme product is made with homemade strawberry ice cream sandwiched between lemon cookies and uses entirely locally produced ingredients. Ruby Jewel’s latest seasonal treat is available at select natural and grocery retailers nationwide.

Highkey

Low sugar snack maker Highkey expanded beyond the cookie category with the debut of two new products: Chocolaty Stix and a Caramel Filled Bar. The former features peanut butter nougat and caramel covered in milk chocolate and the latter is made with caramel and a “thick chocolate coating.” Both new products are available online for a suggested retail price of $14.97 per 6-count box.

Alchemy Peppers

Combining hops and hot peppers, Alchemy Peppers has unveiled its IPA-inspired Hopp Sauce line in three varieties: Fresno Peppers + Simcoe Hops, Jalapeno Peppers + Citra Hops and Scotch Bonnet + Mosaic Hops. The plant-based, zero calorie and zero sugar sauces are made by infusing fruits and vegetables with real hops and each sauce has its own flavor and spice level. Alchemy Peppers Hopp Sauces are available in 5 oz. glass bottles for $12.95 each or in a 3-pack for $38.85.

Banza

Better-for-you food maker Banza teaming up with podcaster Dan Pashman to introduce a new Cascatelli shape to its lineup of chickpea-based products. Inspired by mafalda and bucatini shapes, Pashman first debuted the new pasta shape in conjunction with artisanal pasta maker Sfoglini last year after three years of research and development. The new shape contains 20 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving and will be available exclusively online and at Whole Foods nationwide.

Nature’s Path

Kid-oriented cereal brand EnviroKids debuted Rhino Rolls this month, a crispy cinnamon bun-shaped cereal made with organic, gluten-free whole oat and rice flour. The new product is sweetened with organic cane sugar and contains real cinnamon and vanilla. Rhino Rolls cereal is available at retailers nationwide including Whole Foods Market, Kroger and Sprouts for $4.99.

Maxine’s Heavenly

Better for you indulgence brand Maxine’s Heavenly introduced its new crispy cookie line in Chocolate Chip and Cinnamon Speculoos Crunch flavors. The low sugar treats are sweetened with organic coconut sugar and organic coconut nectar and are vegan and gluten-free. The new cookie line is available online for a suggested retail price of $6.99.

Fun-Gal Snacks

Mushroom-centric snack maker Fun-Gal Snacks debuted this month with the introduction of Popadelics, crispy shiitake mushroom chips, in three flavors: Trippin’ Truffle Parm, Twisted Thai Chili, and Rad Rosemary and Salt. While the new vegan snacks do not contain any psychedelics, a portion of proceeds will be donated to health and wellness organizations such as Johns Hopkins Center of Psychedelic & Consciousness Research. The snacks are available for pre-order and will begin shipping in April.

Oat Haus

Allergy-friendly spread brand Oat Haus released a new Cookie Dough Granola Butter flavor, marking the sixth SKU in its flagship line. The nut-free, organic spread “tastes like Toll House Cookie Dough,” according to the brand, and is made with gluten-free oats and sweetened with maple syrup. Oat Haus’ Cookie Dough Granola Butter is available online for $12.95 per 12 oz. jar.