The following is a closer look at a trend called Snackification from quench’s 2025 Food & Beverage Trends report. Visit the Trends page on the quench website to request a customized presentation of the report for your brand’s team.
Forget the old “three square meals” routine—snacking is now the main event. Especially for Gen Z and Millennials, the lines between meals and snacks have blurred into something far more flexible, and flavorful.
Today’s snacks are more than just fillers. They’re fuel, reward, and even identity. Need a protein boost before workouts? There’s a snack for that. Want a quick hit of nostalgia? A global street-food inspired bite? Something that checks the vegan-gluten-free-organic boxes and tastes good? Done, done, and done.
Snacks that served as meal add-ons now anchor the plate, delivering taste, texture, and nutritional impact.
With nearly half of all eating occasions now classified as “snacks,” brands are stepping up with options that match the moment. Think bold flavor mashups, portable formats, and health-forward ingredients that don’t sacrifice taste. Snacks aren’t just convenient—they’re expressive. They fit into fast-moving lifestyles while giving consumers a way to eat with intention, whether that’s indulgence or function.
This shift has also created new opportunities in packaging, marketing, and merchandising. As snacking becomes a lifestyle, not just an activity, consumers want products that reflect their values—whether that’s sustainability, wellness, or culinary adventure.
In short, snacks are no longer second string. They’re the headliner—and they’re built to perform.
NEXT STEPS FOR BRANDS
Rethink how your product fits into daily life. Focus on portability, versatility, and bold, memorable flavors. Consider developing single-serve formats or positioning existing products as snack solutions for energy, indulgence or functionality. And remember: snacks aren’t just eaten—they’re shared, posted, and talked about. Make yours worthy of the spotlight.
