22
Jun
2022
Minis and bites are growing amid new retail and foodservice offerings.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jun
2022
Innovative plant-based offerings debut.
The Specialty Food Association awarded companies best new product in a variety of categories.