July 15, 2024 – In the US and Canada, savory spreads and dips are consumed for their versatility and convenience, making them a popular choice for enhancing meals and snacks across various occasions. Innova’s 360 research into savory spreads and dips trends allows for identification of growth-driven factors and key trends shaping the market in the food and beverage industry.
Savory Spreads & Dips Consumer Preferences
Dips and spreads stand out as ideal grab-and-go snacks, offering minimal preparation and immediate consumption with veggies or crackers. Consumers in the US and Canada prefer savory spreads and dips for their versatility, flavor exploration, and health-conscious options. They also provide a social experience, and convenience drives the use of savory spreads and dips.
Savory spreads and dips trends research shows that nearly half of the consumers in the US and Canada have prioritized convenience, satiety, health, and indulgence in their snacks over the past year. They prefer savory spreads and dips consumption during snack times. This indicates a shift towards easy, nutritious, and enjoyable snacking options.
Innovations in Savory Spreads & Dips Trends
Over the past year, hummus has been the top product base, with 15% of launches in new savory spreads, followed by salsa, cream cheese, and guacamole. These bases appeal to a variety of consumers, from the health-conscious to those seeking dietary flexibility, offering nutritious alternatives to traditional creamy dips along with a wide range of flavors.
Sabra is a notable brand that has partnered with Frito-Lay to create single-serving snackers. These packs combine bold-flavored hummus with crunchy chips, offering crave-worthy, portable, gluten free, and protein options. Sabra also offers a variety of familiar and healthy choices in convenient dips.
Another popular brand, Athenos, is expanding the use of feta cheese by enhancing convenience for consumers through different formats like crumbles or spreads. Their new Greek-inspired, Mediterranean-style product is creamy and tangy, highlighting its various uses.
Healthy Ingredients in Savory Spreads & Dips Trends
Several brands are incorporating healthier ingredients in savory spreads and dips to cater to diverse dietary needs. For instance, Cedar’s organic ancient grains hummus with toppings highlights the health benefits of ancient grains and superfoods. Heb Mi Tienda’s medium tomatillo molcajete style salsa displays tomatillos’ unique flavor and health benefits, such as being rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These products reflect the trend of using nutritious ingredients to offer healthier options in the savory spreads and dips market.
Savory Spreads & Dips Flavor Trends
Taste and flavor is the top attribute influencing consumer purchasing decisions in the US and Canada when buying savory spreads and dips. Over the past year, 55% of consumers in the US and Canada have preferred cheese and dairy flavors for savory spreads and dips. This is followed by Mexican/Latin American-inspired, herbal and Mediterranean flavors, Middle Eastern-inspired flavors, and hot, spicy, and chili flavor profiles.
Blue cheese flavor has been adapted for dipping indulgence with tangy notes and a creamy texture. In 2019, Marie’s blue cheese dressing and dip set a standard for rich and versatile flavor. Recently, they launched a new collection centered on chunky blue cheese, catering to evolving tastes and emphasizing quality.
Sweet and Spicy Flavor Trends in Savory Spreads & Dips
Savory spreads and dips trends research displays that 16% of consumers in the US and Canada have looked for sweet and spicy flavors in the spreads over the past year. This preference underscores Innova’s top annual flavor ‘Savor the Contrast’ trend, which highlights consumers desire for unexpected flavor combinations and crossovers, creating intriguing taste experiences.
In the US and Canada, consumers are seeking adventurous flavors that harmonize sweet and savory notes in one experience. In response, brands are launching products with innovative flavor combinations, such as Plucky’s pickle dip, which highlights a sweet and spicy flavor combination. This interest in adventurous and contrasting flavors highlights the desire for more dynamic and exciting taste experiences in their savory spreads and dips.
What’s Next in Savory Spreads & Dips Trends in the US and Canada?
The savory spreads and dips market in the US and Canada is expanding with numerous innovation opportunities. Consumers interest in exploring ethnic flavor profiles presents a potential opportunity for brands to cater to diverse palates and culinary preferences. They can experiment with textures in their product to enhance sensory appeal, offering a more engaging eating experience.
To address the needs of today’s fast-paced lifestyles, brands can offer convenient, portion-controlled dips specifically formulated to elevate snack foods like veggie sticks, crackers, and alternative flour chips. This taps into the lucrative market of on-the-go snacking with single-serving portions. Brands that continue to innovate in flavor, texture, and convenience are likely to lead in the market, meeting consumers’ evolving demands for both health and taste.
This article is based on our report, “Trending in Savory Spreads & Dips in US & Canada.” If you are interested in reading this report, feel free to request a demo.
You can do this by either booking a demo or using our Contact Form.
