Conagra Brands released its inaugural Future of Snacking 2025 report in partnership with Circana to examine evolving trends in the U.S. snack market. The report identifies five key trends shaping snacking behaviors in this market.
According to Circana, the U.S. snack market is currently worth $148.6 billion and continues to grow. The United States accounts for over one-quarter of global sales. Conagra’s analysts attribute the steady momentum of the market to two primary growth factors: protein-forward snacks and affordable staples.
“We’ve seen a transformation in consumer snacking habits in recent years,” said Conagra’s senior vice president of demand science Bob Nolan. “Snacking has evolved from a simple between-meal habit into a lifestyle, and winning in this space means delivering the right food at the right time. Today’s consumers want bold flavors, better-for-you options and choices that bring both taste and purpose. Our Future of Snacking report shows emerging trends and how Conagra is helping shape that future.”
2025 Emerging Trends
- Flavor Explosion: Classic favorites like sea salt, BBQ and nacho cheese remain top sellers, but bold newcomers – sriracha, garlic parmesan and hot honey – are driving rapid growth. Social media-fueled trends, including pickle-flavored everything, are influencing both retail and foodservice menus, signaling consumer demand for adventurous taste experiences.
- Snacking Without Borders: Globally-inspired snacks are booming, with retail sales hitting $5.7 billion and 22% volume growth over the past three years. Younger consumers are driving interest in flavors like gochujang, sweet chili and mango habanero, reflecting a shift toward multicultural taste exploration.
- Better-For-You Snacking: Protein-forward, portion-controlled and nutrient-dense snacks are on the rise – especially among Gen Z and Millennials. Subcategories like meat sticks, nuts, seeds and probiotic-enhanced snacks are outpacing total category growth, and “grass-fed” and “gut health” claims are resonating with wellness-focused shoppers.
- Co-Branded Bites: Strategic partnerships with restaurant, retail and entertainment brands are fueling growth, with co-branded snacks generating nearly $2.1 billion in combined annual sales. Flavorful collaborations with fan-favorite sauces, candy brands and more are bringing instant recognition and craveable appeal to the snack aisle.
- Snacks on the Go: Convenience in snacking isn’t just about grab-and-go packaging anymore; it’s about being everywhere consumers are. In fact, convenience is driving consumption, with away-from-home snack occasions projected to grow 39% by 2027. From bulk-buys online to snack-sized treats at store checkouts, snacks are winning by showing up in more places, more often, in the right format for every occasion.
