Will consumers be snacking more in 2026?

The snacking market has been growing, and in The UK, the snacks market reached approximately £53.26 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.30% to reach £73.69 billion by 2034 Expert Market Research. The UK snack bar segment is expected to reach £1.66 billion in 2025 and grow at 7.86% annually to reach £2.42 billion by 2030 Mordor Intelligence. We wanted to share our key thoughts and findings on this growing market. 

Consumer Snacking Behavior

Over 80% of UK consumers snack between meals, BakeryAndSnacks.com, demonstrating widespread adoption of snacking as a regular eating habit. 54% of snack eaters consume snacks specifically to boost their daily nutritional intake, while 59% seek snacks offering specific health benefits Mintel.

Key Growth Trends

Health-Conscious Snacking: In 2023, over 60% of UK consumers purchased savoury snacks, with increasing numbers consuming low-carb keto crackers (49%), protein crackers (46%), and protein crisps (36%) Expert Market Research. The healthy snacks market is projected to reach £9.59 billion by 2033, growing at 5.5% annually Grand View Research.

Ultra-Processed Food Concerns: 71% of UK adults try to avoid ultra-processed foods, with 57% of snack eaters saying media coverage has made certain snacks less appealing Mintel. 77% of snack eaters find products with only a few ingredients appealing Mintel, driving demand for clean-label products.

Product Innovation: Cereal bars dominate the UK snack bars market with approximately 57% market share in 2024, driven by demand for healthy, convenient grab-and-go options Mordor Intelligence. The market is seeing strong growth in protein bars, fruit and nut bars, and plant-based options.

Premium Positioning: 52% of UK consumers agree to paying more for healthier attributes like high-quality ingredients, Morepeople, indicating willingness to invest in better snacking options despite cost-of-living pressures.

These are the key growth areas predicted for 2026

1. Functional Snacking with Flavour

Consumers increasingly expect snacks to deliver both taste and functional benefits like energy support, gut health and immune function, with products combining flavour innovation with credible health benefits positioned for growth. 54% of snack eaters consume snacks to boost daily nutritional intake, with 59% demanding specific health benefits, rising to 78% among 16-34 year olds Mintel.

2. “Swicy” Flavour Innovation

The combination of sweet and spicy flavours is becoming mainstream, driven by Latin American and Asian cuisines, with flavours like gochujang, chamoy and harissa gaining popularity. This includes products like hot honey popcorn, gochujang nut mixes, and harissa snack bars.

3. Umami-Rich Savoury Snacks

Consumers are moving away from overly sweet snacks and embracing umami-rich options that deliver flavour depth without excessive salt, sugar or artificial additives, with many umami ingredients offering functional health benefits. Ingredients like miso, shiitake, black garlic, and lion’s mane mushrooms are gaining traction.

4. Ultra-Clean Label Products

77% of snack eaters find products with only a few ingredients appealing, while 57% say media coverage of ultra-processed foods has made certain snacks less appealing Mintel. The “only N ingredients” positioning is becoming crucial for driving sales.

5. Premium & Functional Snack Bars

The UK snack bar market is expected to grow at a rate of 7.86% annually, with 47% of British adults preferring on-the-go snack bars, particularly those with protein and fibre enrichment and clean-label ingredients, according to Mordor Intelligence.

6. Snacks as Meal Staples

The trend of “stapleizing” snacks emphasises promoting habitual snacking in meaningful ways, including snacks with ingredient appeal, snacks as back-up meals, and snacks rooted in traditional eating times, Euromonitor International.

The common thread across all these trends is consumers seeking products that balance indulgence with wellness, offer bold and authentic flavours, and provide functional benefits without compromising on taste or convenience. This category offers great opportunities for brands to differentiate and for retailers to stock a wide range of products to cater for different customer segments.