Sweets & Snacks 2026: Consumers Crave Snacks With Benefits

By Noelle Riddle

The National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) annual Sweets & Snacks Expo is taking place this week, May 19-21, in Las Vegas.

Here are three takeaways from Day 1 on the expo floor:

1. Gummy Sweets are Still Hot

Non-chocolate gummy candy continues to see major innovation throughout the sweets space. Haribo showcased winter-themed “Build a Snowman” and “Frosty Penguins” gummies; Ferrara continues to roll out new Nerds Gummy Cluster flavors such as “Cupid’s Punch;” and Mondelēz International’s Sour Patch Kids had “Sour Patch Kids Chews” on display. Gummy candy maker Albanese Candy was focused on the upcoming Semiquincentennial with its red, white and blue “Liberty Lips” and “U.S. of YAY” gummies.

NCA research finds that millennials are poised to overtake Gen X as the top buyers of non-chocolate candy within two years. And although Gen Z represents a smaller share of candy consumers, their spending on candy increased by 47% year-over-year. When it comes to flavors, Gen Z and Millennials like to experiment with sour, spicy and ‘mystery’ options.

2. Consumers Want Health Benefits—and Companies are Taking Note

In today’s world of more health-conscious consumers and GLP-1 users, consumers want benefits from what they’re eating. One way snack companies are taking note of this is by adding more protein. Frito-Lay’s Doritos highlighted its new Protein Doritos, which feature 10 grams of protein per serving of chips. UTZ’s Cheese Curls debuted a version of the snack also featuring 10 grams of protein per serving. And Quaker Oats rolled out Protein Rice Crisps, featuring 6 grams of protein.

Other products featuring a health benefit included Mentos Pure White Gum, which claims to whiten teeth, and Sun Chips Fiber Southwestern Queso with 3 grams of fiber per serving.

3. Chocolate Isn’t Going Anywhere

While gummy candy is certainly having a moment, chocolate candy isn’t going anywhere, even amid rising cocoa costs. During the education session “The Cocoa Market Landscape and How This Could Affect the Future Consumer,” Laura Bergen, director of brand and customer marketing at Barry Callebaut, said that research shows chocolate is a key flavor driver in snack bars, and that chocolate continues to be the foundation of the bite-sized snacks category.

Bergen specifically highlighted that consumers are seeking chocolate which “delivers visually,” and has bold flavors and unique textures. “Things are getting more adventurous with the different flavors. Everything’s getting bigger and more dramatic. People need something extra,” she said.

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