Best Snacks I Tried at The Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
If you’re a snack enthusiast like me, the Snacks & Sweets Expo 2024 was a paradise of flavors, textures, and innovations. Held in Indianapolis this May, this industry-only event debuts many new flavors before they hit the market. I was fortunate enough to attend with a press badge, giving me a sneak peek into the latest and greatest in the snacking world.
From classic favorites reimagined to brand-new creations, the expo had something to tantalize every taste bud. After sampling a myriad of treats, I’ve compiled a list of the best snacks that truly stood out. Whether you’re into savory, sweet, or a bit of both, these are the must-try snacks you’ll want to look out for. Here’s my rundown of the top picks from this year’s expo!
Discovering the Best New Snacks at the Expo
Mint Kind Frozen Bar
This frozen mint chocolate dessert bar tastes like ice cream but it's almond plant-based and absolutely delicious. While HEB carries some other flavors, you can find the mint variant at Target.
Whisps Cheddar and Pretzel Bites
As a big fan of cheese Whisps as a healthy snack, I was thrilled to try their cheese & pretzel bites, which add an extra layer of crunch. Loved these!
Ghiradelli Caramel Waffle Cone
Imagine the classic caramel-filled Ghiradelli chocolate with an added crunch from a waffle cone. These are fabulous! After searching for months, I’m happy to report they are now more readily available. Look for them at Walmart and Randall's.
Tillamook Tajin Beef Jerky
Tillamook’s Tajin beef jerky, launching in September, has a perfect flavor balance and is incredibly tender. I predict this will be a big hit.
Snickers Cake Bites
I love cake bites, and the new Snickers flavor was delightful. I haven’t found these online or in stores yet, except for some bulk options on Amazon.
Taki's Buckin Ranch
Takis Buckin' Ranch offers a tasty non-spicy alternative. I’ve already seen them at HEB.
Rap Snacks Lil Baby
Rap Snacks feature black artists on the packaging with intriguing flavors. Among the varieties we tried—Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Baby—the Lil Baby chips were the standout. Hard not to eat them all in one sitting.
Tony's Choco Lil Bits
If you love milk chocolate but aren’t into Hershey’s, Tony’s is a great alternative. Their candy bars are available at Walmart, Target, and Central Market, and soon these lil bits will be too. The buttery cookie flavor is a must-try!
Sour Patch Kids Snapple
Out of all the gummy flavors I sampled, the Snapple Sour Patch Kids were my favorite.
Retro Sours Tangerine
Iconic Candy is reviving some of our favorite classic candies, including Altoid’s Sours, now called Retro Sours. Tangerine is the best, tasting just as I remembered. These will hit stores this Fall, available at Cracker Barrel, Michaels, Big Lots, and Hobby Lobby.
Drizzlicious Peppermint Bites
A healthier snack currently available in other flavors at HEB. A Drizzlicious peppermint flavor is coming out this winter. This flavor is not one to miss!
Sprinkles White Chocolate Candy Bar
Sprinkles Chocolate Bars aren’t new, but I finally tried the white chocolate version and was impressed. Despite not being a huge white chocolate fan, this bar is a winner!
Find them at Walmart
Power Crunch Protein Crisps - Cheddar
Power Crunch Protein Crisps should hit HEB soon. They look and crunch like a pringle, but are packed with protein. A little bit salty, but still a favorite to anyone I've shared them with.
Banana Caramel Barebells and N!cks Krispi Cookie Protein bars
I had my friends taste a few protein bars from the expo with me and these two were the overall fan favorites. That banana caramel protein bar just melts in your mouth.
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Cookies
Magnolia Bakery banana pudding cookies. I've often seen these out and about and never tried them. They do taste like banana pudding in the form of a soft cookie! We had the confetti which also has a light crunch. I'd snag these again.
