6 Products From the Sweets & Snacks Expo That Bring the Heat

CHICAGO — The Sweets & Snacks Expo in May was an insightful chance to see the range of new snacks and candy products side by side, booth by booth. One of the trends that spanned both salty and sweet options was an intense flavor profile—spice.

Check out these six hot convenience store sweets and snacks …

Brach’s, a Ferrara brand based in Chicago, is rolling out a new Holiday Heat Candy Canes are fruity with a hint of chili. The three flavors include Watermelon Chili, Pineapple Chili and Mango Chili.

The flavor-kick innovation was developed to draw in consumers that aren’t a fan of classic peppermint candy canes, said Katie Ferguson Duffy, vice president and general manager of seasonal at Ferrara.

The treat will be available nationwide in November in a 12-count, 5.3-ounce box with a suggested retail price of $1.99.

Coming soon, the new Spicy Nacho flavored Pirate’s Booty features the same original puff. This time, however, it is topped with spicy nacho seasoning. The snack is baked and gluten free.

Pirate’s Booty is a brand from The Hershey Co. based in Hershey, Pa.

From Century Snacks LLC, Commerce, Calif., the new Snak Club rings come in peach, watermelon, apple and mango, all coated in Tajin Classico chili lime seasoning.

The gummy candy is available in 5-ounce resealable pegs and ship in 12-count cases. They have a suggested retail price of $3.99.

The brand’s portfolio includes more Tajin products, such as peanuts, almonds, toasted corn and a snack mix.

Zotz are individually wrapped hard candies from Andre Prost Inc, Old Saybrook, Conn. The new flavor has the same fizzy center plus a hot cinnamon flavor.

The fizzy candy is made in a factory in northern Italy and were created after Frank Landrey returned from Europe in 1970 with Italian candies that he received as a gift. After they were a hit with his children and the neighborhood kids, Landrey shipped his first order the same year.

The Cinnamon Zotz are coming soon and will be available in 0.7-ounce string packs shipped in 12, 24-count display cases with a suggested retail price of 75 cents. They will also be available in 46-piece 8.1-ounce bags shipped in 12-count cases with a suggested retail price of $3.99.

Pipsnacks LLC, New York, has unveiled its Tabasco Cheddar Cheese Balls and Tabasco Mini Popcorn. The snacks are certified vegan, gluten free and non-GMO Project verified.

Both the cheese balls and popcorn come in 4.5-ounce bags and ship in 12-count and 48-count display cases. The bags have a suggested retail price of $4.49.

Harkins Popcorn & Snacks is rolling out a Jalapeno White Cheddar popcorn flavor, which uses non-GMO corn kernels.

It will be available in four- and 10-ounce sizes with a suggested retail price range of $3.99-$4.29.

The brand’s other flavors include Movie Theatre Butter, Cheddar Cheese, Creamy Caramel, White Cheddar, Kettle Corn and the Mix! Cheddar and Caramel.

The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based business has movie theaters throughout the Western United States. Harkins popcorn is available at Circle K.