Prepared Foods profiles new breakfast and dinner entrees, snacks and bars that feature nuts at key ingredients.

 

Breakfast Bowls

KIND Healthy Snacks, New York, N.Y., introduced its first frozen breakfast snack offering, a three-item line of KIND FROZEN Smoothie Bowls. Just as it disrupted and elevated the bar aisle, officials say KIND intends to bring its plant-based equity to the breakfast category with new, frozen format. 

KIND FROZEN Smoothie Bowls have a fruit and almond milk base and topped with creamy nut butter and crunchy granola. With no more than 9g of added sugar and 7-8g protein, KIND's Smoothie Bowls are ready to enjoy straight from the freezer. 

Available at retailers nationwide, KIND FROZEN Smoothie Bowls come in the following flavors: Almond + Mango Pineapple Passion Fruit, Almond + Triple Berry Açaí, Almond + Chocolate Banana, and Almond + Peach Kiwi Greens.

"Since day one, KIND has been committed to upholding our brand promise – to create innovative, premium foods that are both healthy and tasty," said Daniel Lubetzky, KIND founder and executive chairman. "While this category is new for us, it's consistent with how we've always entered new aisles – with an eye to elevate people's overall experience, while adhering to our KIND Promise."

 

Entrée Adventures

Cafe Spice Heat-and-Eat Meals

Cafe Spice, New Windsor, N.Y., said it was building upon its 17-year relationship with Whole Foods Market by exclusively launching three new, globally-inspired, heat-and-eat meals. 

Officials said Cafe Spice's Culinary Director and Chef Hari Nayak worked closely with the Whole Foods Market North Atlantic culinary team to develop the exclusive line. The following dishes are available at Whole Foods Market locations in the Northeast and North Atlantic regions:

Ghee Roasted Chicken: Tender pieces of chicken, humanely-raised with no antibiotics, are basted in ghee and simmered in a bold and fiery sauce and paired with Basmati rice

Tofu Cashew Korma: Non-GMO tofu is simmered in a bright pesto made from scratch with fresh cilantro, mint leaves and chilis paired with Basmati rice

Pomegranate & Walnut Chicken: Tender pieces of chicken, humanely-raised with no antibiotics, are braised in a silky Persian walnut cream sauce and paired with Basmati rice

"Nearly two decades ago, Cafe Spice's origins were propelled by a partnership with Whole Foods Market," said Sameer Malhotra, CEO and Co-founder of Cafe Spice. "This exclusive meal launch demonstrates the ongoing commitment that we both have to create authentic meals that provide our customers with convenience in a time when it's needed most."

 

More Taste & Texture

SNICKERS Almond Brownie BarSNICKERS Almond Brownie Bar

Mars Wrigley, Newark, N.J., says it plans this August to introduce the latest addition to its SNICKERS brand: new SNICKERS Almond Brownie. The product features a chewy brownie filling mixed with chopped almonds. That is topped with a layer of caramel and the entire piece is coated in dark chocolate.

Officials say the new item follows two other products in the SNICKERS brownie line-up: SNICKERS Peanut Brownie, which features a chewy peanut-brownie filling, a layer of caramel and a classic SNICKERS chocolate coating; and the SNICKERS Peanut Brownie Ice Cream, which features brownie-flavored ice cream with chewy brownie bits, topped with a thin layer of caramel and peanuts covered in a milk chocolate coating.

"After seeing unparalleled excitement for the SNICKERS Peanut Brownie and SNICKERS Peanut Brownie Ice Cream launches, we're excited to deliver on our purpose of better moments and more smiles by unveiling a delicious variation of the bar for our fans," said Michelle Deignan, Mars Wrigley senior brand director. "The new SNICKERS Almond Brownie offers a deeply satisfying treat, with a taste and texture only SNICKERS can deliver on."

SNICKERS Almond Brownie will be available nationwide beginning August 2021 in Single (1.26oz), Share (2.52oz) and Sharing Stand Up Pouch (6.93oz) sizes.

 

Keto Snacking

Special K Keto-Friendly Snack Bars

This January saw Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, Mich., use “National Chocolate Cake Day” to introduce two varieties of Special K Keto-Friendly Snack Bars.

Said Kellogg’s, “When it comes to snacking, we want the winning combination: convenience, great taste and something we feel good about eating,” But does this sacrifice-free snack actually exist? Yes. Kellogg's Special K is committed to making snacktime dreams come true – even on the most tempting of days ...”

New Kellogg’s Special K Keto-Friendly Snack Bars come in Chocolate Almond Fudge and Peanut Butter Fudge flavors. Each bar contains 1g of sugar, 2g net carbs and 7g of protein.

"Our Kellogg's Special K Keto-Friendly Snack Bars help you win however you eat, whether you're all-in on keto, a dabbler, a first-timer or just want something delicious and convenient with 1g of sugar," said Courtney Bentley, Special K brand manager

Kellogg's Special K Keto-Friendly Snack Bars are available at retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $6.99 for a five-count box.

 

Nuts for Flavor

Wonderful Sea Salt & Vinegar and BBQ Pistachios

The Wonderful Company, Los Angeles, celebrated World Pistachio Day (February 26) and introduced two flavors: BBQ and Sea Salt & Vinegar Wonderful Pistachios No Shells. 

The items debuted at select online retailers and later hit store shelves nationwide in the U.S. and Canada in early April. Officials said the new Wonderful Pistachios No Shells flavors “are a tasty tribute to healthy snacking done right,” with 6g of complete plant protein per serving.

New BBQ Wonderful Pistachios No Shells features hickory-smoked flavor dashed with garlic, paprika, and salt, the company says. Sea Salt & Vinegar Wonderful Pistachios No Shells showcase “just the right amount of sea salt and vinegar,” it adds. 

These new items join a Wonderful Pistachios No Shells flavors lineup that includes Honey Roasted and Chili Roasted. 

"If you crave the classic and beloved flavors of barbecue and salt and vinegar, but you want a healthier way to indulge, Wonderful Pistachios has you covered," said Adam Cooper, senior vice president of marketing for The Wonderful Company. "BBQ and Sea Salt & Vinegar join our lineup of No Shells—now featuring six flavors in total—that gives people even more choice when it comes to selecting a healthy and delicious summer snack."