Bite-size and miniature innovation
Minis and bites are growing amid new retail and foodservice offerings.
Krispy Kreme Mini Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. began 2020 with downsizing … of its donuts. The chain in January began serving Original Glazed Mini Doughnuts, smaller versions of its four most popular donuts “to help fans keep their New Year’s resolutions,” the company said.
The tiny treats are miniature versions of Krispy Kreme’s original glazed, chocolate iced glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles, and strawberry iced with sprinkles donuts. Each donut contains fewer than 100 calories.
“Too many people bail on their New Year’s resolutions before they are even halfway through January,” said Dave Skena, chief marketing officer for Krispy Kreme. “That’s no good. Sometimes a mini-indulgence, or cheat, is all you need to help you stick with it. So, we miniaturized our most popular donuts. A little Krispy Kreme goes a long way.”
In April, Krispy Kreme debuted spring-themed versions of its Mini Doughnuts. Spring Minis came in four varieties.
The Spring Chick Mini Doughnut is a mini original glazed donut dipped in yellow icing and decorated with orange and chocolate icing to resemble a chick.
The Bunny Bum Mini Doughnut is a mini original glazed donut dipped in green icing, topped with green sprinkles and decorated with a dollop of original Kreme and two bunny feet sugar pieces.
The Flower Mini Doughnut is a mini original glazed donut dipped in strawberry icing and purple sugar then decorated with a pink icing flower.
The Chocolate Iced Spring Sprinkles Mini Doughnut is a mini original glazed donut dipped in chocolate icing and topped with pastel sprinkles.
RXBAR Minis
Kellogg Co.’s RXBAR Minis, which launched in January, contain 100 calories or fewer and 6 grams of protein and come in coconut chocolate and blueberry varieties. The bars feature a base of egg whites for protein, nuts for texture and dates for binding.
Country Archer Mini Pork Sticks
Country Archer Provisions in February unveiled a new format in its meat stick line with the launch of Pineapple Mini Pork Sticks. The meat snacks come in a pouch with 8 individually wrapped sticks that contain 40 calories and 3 grams of protein each. The pork sticks are keto certified, paleo-friendly and contain no sugar.
Organic Valley Egg Bites
Set to hit shelves in July, Organic Valley Egg Bites are refrigerated heat-and-eat products made with organic free-range eggs from the cooperative’s small family farms, along with Organic Valley cheese and Organic Prairie meat. Each two-bite, 4-oz package contains 14 to 16 grams of protein and fewer than 250 calories. They may be popped in the toaster oven or microwave and ready to eat in less than 90 seconds. Varieties include feta and chive, sausage and pepper jack, and uncured ham and Swiss. Organic Valley Egg Bites will start shipping July 27 and have a suggested retail price of $3.99 per pack.
Papa John’s Jalapeño Popper Rolls
Papa John’s in March added a new appetizer: Jalapeño Popper Rolls. The bite-size, baked rolls feature jalapeños and Philadelphia cream cheese wrapped in Papa John’s pizza dough. An order of eight rolls comes with ranch sauce for dipping.
Smucker’s Uncrustables Bites and Roll-Ups
The J.M. Smucker Co. bolstered its Smucker’s Uncrustables brand in May with a new Bites and a new Roll-Ups line.
The bite-size, heat-and-eat Uncrustables Bites are stuffed bread pockets that come in two varieties: taco and barbecue chicken.
The Taco Bites are filled with beef crumble, cheese, salsa and taco seasoning. Each pack of two contains 160 calories and 6 grams of protein.
The BBQ Chicken Bites are stuffed with white meat chicken and barbecue sauce. Each pack of two contains 130 calories and 8 grams of protein.
Uncrustables Roll-Ups are sandwich-inspired, thaw-and-eat offerings featuring meat and cheese rolled in flatbread.
The Uncured Ham & Cheddar Roll-Ups are made with uncured ham, cheddar cheese and Neufchâtel cheese. Each pack of four contains 190 calories and 9 grams of protein.
The Turkey & Colby Jack Roll-Ups feature smoked turkey breast, Colby cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Neufchâtel cheese and seasoning. Each pack of four contains 190 calories and 10 grams of protein.
Pop-Tarts Bites
In April, Kellogg Co. added a new flavor to its line of Pop-Tarts Bites, which originally debuted in December 2018. New Frosted Confetti Cake Pop-Tarts Bites are filled toaster pastry snack bites with white frosting and sprinkles. Each 40-gram pouch contains 150 calories and 16 grams of sugar.
Jack in the Box Popcorn Chicken
In April, Jack in the Box added Popcorn Chicken to its menu in both classic and spicy varieties. The poppable bites are made with breaded 100% all white meat chicken.
Nestle Life Cuisine Egg Bites
Nestle USA in April began offering new frozen sous-vide egg bites under its new Life Cuisine brand, which offers heat-and-eat meal solutions that complement the many varied eating-well approaches today. The initial launch includes two varieties: tomato and spinach egg white, and uncured turkey bacon and aged white cheddar.
Reese’s Lovers Miniatures
In April, The Hershey Co. brought back its Reese’s Lovers peanut butter cups, including new Reese’s Lovers Miniatures. Each bag contains both Reese’s Chocolate Lovers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Lovers mini cups that contain either more chocolate or more peanut butter.
Thomas’ Pick Me Ups and Mini Croissants
Bimbo Bakeries USA built out its portfolio of portable, bite-size breakfast offerings in February with new Thomas’ Pick Me Ups soft-baked oatmeal squares and Thomas’ Mini Croissants.
Thomas’ Pick Me Ups are bite-size, soft-baked oatmeal squares made with ingredients such as rolled oats, chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and cranberries. Available in trail mix and chocolate chip varieties, the oatmeal squares contain 13 to 14 grams of whole grains, 6 grams of fiber and 150 calories per pouch.
New Thomas’ Mini Croissants are made with mess-free, flakeless dough and come in a plain variety. Packaged in bags of 19 rolls, the croissants contain 180 calories, 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of sugar per three-piece serving.
Burger King Jalapeño Cheddar Bites
Burger King in April expanded its sides offerings with new Jalapeño Cheddar Bites. The snacks consist of jalapeño pieces and cheddar cheese coated in crispy breading all served with ranch sauce for dipping.
My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream bites
My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream in April added three new flavors to its line of mochi ice cream bites. The gluten-free treats are inspired by summer flavors like ice cream sundaes and orange creamsicles.
The Banana Chocolate Cream flavor features banana ice cream with a creamy chocolate center wrapped in mochi dough. Each piece contains 110 calories, 13 grams of sugar and 1 gram of protein.
The Orange Vanilla variety features vanilla ice cream with an orange center wrapped in mochi dough. Each piece contains 100 calories, 13 grams of sugar and 1 gram of protein.
The Vegan Neapolitan bites feature vanilla flavored cashew cream frozen dessert with a strawberry center wrapped in chocolate flavored mochi dough. Each piece contains 100 calories, 14 grams of sugar and 1 gram of protein.
The Daily Crave Beyond Churros
Natural Intentions, Inc.’s The Daily Crave brand in January began offering a grain-free twist on churros with the debut of Beyond Churros. Made with a blend of cassava, lentils, black beans, potato and pea protein, the vegan churro bites are sweetened with sugar and monk fruit and are filled with a non-dairy chocolate flavored filling. Each 10-piece serving of the gluten-free, soy-free, peanut-free, dairy-free and non-GMO snacks contains 4 grams of plant-based protein, 2 grams of fiber and 5 grams of sugar. Flavors include cinnamon, coconut, salted caramel and double chocolate.
Nubu Nut Butter Bites
Nuts and nut butter are the stars of Nubu Nut Butter Bites, a line of bite-size snacks from Mount Franklin Foods introduced in May. Nubu Nut Butter Bites combine natural peanut butter with nuts in a poppable, better-for-you snack format. Gluten-free and vegan friendly, the snacks are made with seven ingredients or fewer and contain 130 calories and 3 grams of protein per 1-oz, three-bite serving. Nubu Nut Butter Bites are available nationwide in 5- or 6-oz bags and come in three varieties: cashew, peanut and pecan.
Michel et Augustin Croissant Chips
In March, Michel et Augustin introduced Croissant Chips. The snacks are bite-size, thin-sliced croissant slivers made with USDA grade AA butter, unbleached flour, cane sugar, water, salt and lemon juice. Each 1-oz serving contains 170 calories, 2 grams of sugar and 2 grams of protein.
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