2026 trends in crunchy savoury snacks and nuts

Crunchy savoury snacks in 2026

First up, we take a look at the leading trends in the crunchy savoury snacks segment. There’s little more addictive than a salty, savoury snack with a satisfying crunch — and the statistics support it. Here’s what to stock and how to sell it.

Expert Market Research by Claight shows that:

- Potato chips are the most popular snack for 62% of UK shoppers
- Millennials consume 35% of the total number of snacks consumed in the UK
- 58% of British Shoppers snack every day, with 23% eating three or more snacks daily

Trend spotlight

The thought of ‘soggy crisps’ might not get your tastebuds tingling, but the trend is taking over social media. Think loaded fries or nachos, but in crisp form — potato crisps slathered with a savoury sauce (gravy ticks the nostalgia box) and whatever your heart desires. The biggest plus point for retailers is that your customers’ imagination is the limit, so there’s no end of upselling opportunities here.

Shake it up

Variety is the spice of life, so expand your offering to get your tills buzzing.

- PROPER House Hot Sauce Lentil Chip: Moreish lentil chip with a medium heat and satisfying tang, perfect for sharing.

- Olly’s Sesame Multi-seed Pretzel Thins: Satisfyingly low in calories but high in flavour, with attractive black and white sesame seeds.

- The Garlic Farm Pork Scratchings With Garlic: The king of bar snacks, these are a high-quality scratching, double roasted for intense flavour and crunch.

Must try in 2026

Kent Crisps is a multi-award-winning range of hand-cooked British crisps, inspired by local flavours. Made with Red Tractor assured potatoes and real ingredients from some of Kent’s best producers, they celebrate the county’s rich food heritage.

The latest addition to the range, Beef Brisket & Stout Flavour, is crafted with historic brewer, Shepherd Neame’s Iron Wharf Stout. As one of the UK’s last independently owned snack brands, Kent Crisps champions the region, proudly showcasing iconic Kent landmarks on each pack.

Classic Crisps

Traditional potato crisps are family favourites with very good reason, and there’s plenty to excite foodie palates in 2026.

- Two Farmers Woodland Mushroom & Wild Garlic: Hand-cooked with a distinctive taste of the English countryside.

- Simply Roasted Mature Cheddar & Red Onion: Rich cheese balances the bite of red onion in these vegan-friendly crisps.

- Burts’ Mature Cheddar & Caramelised Onion: Chutney Ridges: Made using Quicke’s Devonshire Cheddar, savoury with a sweet tang.

- Fairfields Farm Cajun Barbecue Crisps: Gluten-free and vegan, delivering a rich, smoky profile while introducing the brand’s first-ever ridge-cut crisp.

How to sell

- Boost your sales bite. Crisps offer an invaluable upselling opportunity – dips and drinks will always be popular (think seasonal), but the ‘soggy crisps’ trend is great for trend appeal and performs well on socials.

- Up the ante on merchandising. Set the scene to inspire customers to purchase. Create eye-catching picnic spreads with your snack selection, or party-ready displays come Christmas.

- Many shoppers are value-driven when it comes to snacks, so think smart about why they should upgrade to your range – from innovative formats and flavours to provenance – and sell the story.

Expert view from Tom Gatehouse, Egg Soldiers

Why corn?

“Corn snacks start with an addictive base crunch and naturally savoury sweetness. They’re also brilliantly versatile, from aperitivo-style nibbles to bigger seasoning systems. And, when pitted against peanuts, the lower-fat cue gives them a simpler permission story – allowing the consumer to completely sidestep the internal conflict that is the ‘good-fats’ debate.”

Nut trends in 2026

Next up, we’re going nuts for nuts. Serving up both nutrient density and moreish indulgence as well as satisfying appetites, nuts are a smart stocking choice.

Nut boom at Ocado

Analysis of Ocado’s online platform shows year-on-year search is up 38.3% for honey nuts and 32.5% for salted nuts. This trend is reflected in Ocado’s year-on-year sales. 
Snacking nuts, whole nuts and seeds up 27%, fruit and nuts up 93%, snacking nuts up 47% and whole nuts and seeds up 21%.

Giving pistachio the green light

The Dubai chocolate trend may have originally kicked off in 2023, but Brits’ appetite for the elegant nut is showing no signs of slowing down. Sales of shelled pistachios have witnessed a sizeable boost at Ocado, largely thanks to their versatility – think straight snacking, serving on a platter or alongside drinks, or as an ingredient in home cooking and snack-making.

Almonds were the strongest performing nut segment in the UK in 2025, research by Deep Market Insights shows. According to Global Data, the nuts and seeds market in the United Kingdom registered a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.57% during the period 2019 to 2024 with a sales value of GBP 1,069.32 million in 2024, an increase of 6.49% over 2023.

A taste of adventure

From chocolate-coated to internationally-inspired, nuts offer a health-rich canvas upon which brands are stamping their unique personality - to the delight of thrill-seeking shoppers.

- Curious By Nature Hoisin Spice Nut Mix: A gourmet blend of honey and hoisin-spiced almonds with zesty chilli-lime cashews and dry roast peanuts. 

- Cambrook Chocolate & Orange Fruit & Nut Mix: Milk chocolate orange almonds,  caramelised cashews, dark chocolate cranberries and baked almonds.

- LoveLove Dark Dragon Nut Bar: Dark chocolate embracing crunchy almonds and peanuts with chunks of dragon fruit to balance bitter and sweet.

- Nalo Smoked Rosemary Almonds: Almonds roasted in oak-smoked English oil with delicate rosemary for a savoury, smoky bite.

Must try 2026

Golden Gourmet Peanuts are expertly roasted and salted to perfection, delivering a satisfyingly rich flavour that’s perfect for any occasion. Filled with premium-quality Argentinian peanuts, each 180g pack is a natural source of protein and energy.

Packed in versatile, resealable clear PET cans, they’re ideal for keeping fresh and enjoying on the go. Available as part of the Golden Gourmet range of premium dry fruits, roasted nuts, and snack mixes, there’s a delicious option for every taste and occasion. 

Custom Crafted

Fine food shoppers are hungry for quality and indulgence, and Cambrook perfectly fits the bill.

Personalisation and the enjoyment of ‘something special’ still drives the fine food market in 2026, and premium nut brand Cambrook has a deliciously unique sales trick up its sleeve: for years, the business has created unique blends for renowned hospitality icons, which it welcomes food lovers and retailers to explore.

“It’s this experience in developing nuts and snacks for leading hotels and bars that makes our retail range so distinctive,” says Deborah Bradfield, sales and marketing manager. “We have recently launched our giant roasted corn which is exclusively from Peru and is coated in our own bespoke seasonings (Sriracha Chilli & Lime, Truffle & Pecorino, Hickory Smoked) which gives the golden roasted corn its flavoursome Cambrook crunch.”

Chocolate-coated nuts is a growing area for Cambrook with chocolate-coated almonds being a firm favourite, and a new addition to the range this year of Chocolate and Orange Fruit & Nut Mix with milk chocolate orange almonds, caramelised cashews, dark chocolate cranberries and baked almonds.

Christmas has always been key for nut sales and this is particularly the case for Cambrook’s range of caramelised nuts, chocolate-coated nuts and their cocktail mixes of nuts with sweet and savoury combinations. “While our range is very much an all year round one,” says Deborah, “there are certain products that seem to capture people’s imagination at Christmas so we are already thinking of delicious ideas for Christmas 27!”

Did you know? Cambrook’s setup is certainly unique with its custom-made machinery and artisan methods.

Cambrook’s 30 years’ experience of product sourcing and manufacturing know-how in the premium nut and snack sector, together with their long-established relationships with leading hotels, pubs and bars is key to how the company develops new products and flavours.

“We have collaborated with top chefs developing innovative ideas and flavour trends like our Cocktail Mix No. 6 (3* Great Taste Winner) with its combination of chilli, sweet, and smoked flavours which we created for Claridge’s Hotel,” explains Deborah.