KANSAS CITY — Snack manufacturers continue to innovate on the bar category with health-focused formulations.

Nature’s Bakery, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. brand Kind LLC, has debuted Hearty Bars. The soft-baked snack bars are made with whole grains, fruit and Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa. Each bar contains 9 grams of plant-based protein from fava bean and sunflower sources, according to the company. Flavors include blueberry and chocolate chip.

“Families today are seeking snacks that fuel their busy days and fit seamlessly into all moments, whether at school, work, or on-the-go,” said Pilar Arellano, senior vice president of marketing at Nature’s Bakery. “With Hearty Bars, we aimed to create a delicious, soft-baked snack made with plant-powered protein that’s suitable for all ages and stages.”

All In Food has launched its Madagascar vanilla, honey and almond snack bar. Made with a nut and seed blend base, the bars are formulated with semi-sweet chocolate, vegetable fiber (inulin), honey, brown rice syrup, agave syrup, whole grain crisp brown rice, brown rice crisp (whole grain brown rice flour), peanut butter, peanut butter powder, high oleic sunflower oil, molasses and Himalayan pink salt.

General Mills, Inc. has collaborated with Keurig Dr Pepper subsidiary Mott’s to create a soft-baked bars line. Mott’s Soft Baked Apple Filled Bars feature apple puree and whole wheat flour, with flavors such as apple, strawberry and blueberry.

“We created Mott’s Soft Baked Apple Filled Bars to give families a better snack option,” said Taylor Roseberry, brand experience manager for Mott’s Bars at General Mills. “These bars are an exciting addition to our existing Mott’s Soft Baked bar portfolio, bringing parents a portable apple puree-filled bar with ingredients they can feel good about.”