Sweets & Snacks Gallery: SmartSweets Founder Debuts Salty Snack Brand, Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Unveils Functional Line

The Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 featured 275,000 sq. ft. of clusters, nibbles, kernels and morsels debuting from over 1,000 exhibiting companies. Here’s a look at some of the hottest new snacks we spotted on the show floor, including potato crisps from SmartSweets founder Tara Bosch, a functional popcorn line from Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn and Hidden Valley Ranch’s foray into snack dippers.

WILDE

WILDE has expanded beyond its flagship line of protein chips by introducing Protein Crackers. Available in four flavors – Smoked Gouda, Classic Cheddar, Buffalo Cheddar and Hot Honey – the oven-baked crackers are made with chicken breast, chicken bone broth and cheese and deliver 12 grams of protein per serving.

Snackish

SmartSweets founder Tara Bosch took to Sweets & Snacks to highlight her new better-for-you salty-snack brand, Snackish. Set to launch nationwide at Target in June, Snackish is a line of potato crisps in a variety of flavors, including BBQ Bash, Salt Kissed, Pickle Punch, Jalapeno Kick, and Vinegar Rush, all of which are crafted with 100% avocado oil.

Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn

Family-owned, small-batch popcorn brand Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn showcased its new functional line, including Very Berry (Immunity + Wellness), Raspberry Rose (Beauty + Glow), Orange Cream (Protein + Gut), Peach Lavender (Calm + Relax) and Cafe Latte (Energy + Focus) flavors. The Raspberry Rose flavor, which won NCA’s first “Trailblazer Snack” award, contains 3 grams of collagen peptides per serving, plus biotin and Vitamin E.

Daily Crunch

Sprouted nut snack brand Daily Crunch showcased several new flavors, including Churro (cinnamon sugar sprouted nuts), Mediterranean Medley (sprouted nut and seed mix) and Sweet House BBQ (sprouted almonds and pecans). The new snacks deliver 5-6 grams of protein per serving, depending on the variety.

Crisp Power

Crisp Power has expanded its portfolio of high-protein, low-carb pretzels with a Flamin’ Crunch flavor. The keto-friendly spicy snack delivers 15 grams of protein and 3 grams of net carbs per serving and is made with hydrolyzed wheat protein, dextrin fiber, carob seed protein, soy protein isolate and coconut oil. Crisp Power Flamin’ Crunch is available on the brand’s direct-to-consumer website for $35.99 per 3-pack of 7.1 oz. bags.

Main Event

FoodStory Brands is stepping into the protein bar ring with one of its most ambitious launches yet: Main Event, a co-owned, co-developed brand created in partnership with global mixed martial arts organization UFC. Available in a variety of flavors – including Caramel Chocolate Crisp, Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Crunch – each bar delivers 20 grams of protein from a blend of whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate, milk protein concentrate and collagen peptides and 5 grams of fiber.

PepsiCo

Tapping into two key consumer trends, PepsiCo showcased its recently launched Smartfood FiberPop in Sweet & Salty and Toffee & Sea Salt flavors, as well as Doritos Protein in Nacho Cheese and Sweet & Tangy BBQ varieties. FiberPop contains 6 grams of fiber and 10 grams of whole grains per serving, while Doritos Protein delivers 10 grams of protein per serving derived from casein.

Hidden Valley Ranch

Hidden Valley Ranch is expanding into the protein snack set with the launch of Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers, developed through a licensing partnership with Carl Buddig and Company. Available in two varieties – Original Ranch and Buffalo-Style Ranch – the new snack features 100% natural seasoned grilled chicken strips paired with ranch dressing. Each dipper delivers 12 grams of protein.

Popchips

As a growing number of consumers seek to avoid seed oils, Our Home’s Popchips brand is transitioning its entire line of popped potato and corn snacks from vegetable oil to 100% avocado oil. The new recipe, which will span the brand’s Sea Salt, BBQ, Sour Cream & Onion and Salt & Vinegar flavors, will hit store shelves in June.

RXBAR

Mars, Inc.-owned RXBAR is expanding its High Protein Bar lineup with the addition of Vanilla Peanut Butter and Strawberry Peanut Butter Flavors, both of which have 18 grams of protein and are made with just six ingredients.