Bakery & snack NPD: From the launch of a sensory-driven snack to a novel sweet ’n savory pizza from Kellanova’s Eggo

The bakery and snack sectors are gearing up with a series of exciting new product launches tailored to capivate consumers and drive sales for Halloween, Movember and Christmas.

Brands like OGGS, Pringles and Ginsters are leading the charge with innovative products that combine festive fun with quality ingredients and meaningful campaigns.

Halloween sees Ginsters bring back their fan-favorite Spicy Sausage & Red Pepper Pasty, a savory alternative for the typically sweet-filled spooky season. Meanwhile, for Movember, Pringles has transformed Mr. P’s iconic moustache into a QR code that links to mental health resources, aligning snacking with raising awareness for men’s health.

As we head toward Christmas, OGGS is delivering plant-based, ethical delights to appeal to those looking for seasonal indulgences while making a positive impact.

Earth & Wheat brews up partnership with Bird & Blend Tea Co.

The UK-based wonky and surplus food subscription service has partnered with indie tea mixologists Bird & Blend Tea Co. to offer consumers the chance to win a year’s supply of tea.

Starting October 14, Earth & Wheat boxes will feature two free Bird & Blend tea samples – Spiced Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Digestives – giving subscribers a taste of the brand's unique offerings. Each sample pack will come with a QR code that customers can scan to enter the competition for the 12-month tea supply.

This collaboration reflects Earth & Wheat’s mission to reduce food waste and promote sustainability, as well as Bird & Blend’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Founded in 2013, Bird & Blend offers over 100 unique tea blends, with a focus on sustainability, including 100% plastic-free, compostable tea bags and recyclable packaging. Certified as a B Corp, the company is also working towards achieving net-zero emissions.

By partnering with like-minded brands, Earth & Wheat – founded in 2021 by James Eid – continues to build on its mission of rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, having already saved over 600 tonnes of food and donated more than 300,000 meals to food charities. This latest promotion is a further step in its sustainable journey.

Pringles reboots Movember campaign to drive mental health conversations

Pringles has brought back its QR code design for a limited-edition Movember tube, continuing its support for the men’s health charity for the fifth consecutive year.

The new design – featuring Mr. P’s iconic moustache as a scannable QR code – is part of the ‘Scan My Mo to Help a Bro’ campaign. When scanned, the code directs users to Movember’s Conversations tool, providing resources to help men engage in meaningful discussions about mental health and wellbeing.

Available on Salt & Vinegar and Texas BBQ 185g tubes, the special edition packaging will be in stores across major retailers until mid-November.

Pringles and Movember’s partnership, which began in 2020, has to date raised over £1m in Europe to support Movember’s mental health initiatives, including the Conversations program and Spot the Signs.

Earlier this month, Pringles launched the Scan & Scran Café in London to encourage more conversations about mental health. Research commissioned by Pringles revealed that 47% of British men struggle with how to ask someone if they are okay, further highlighting the importance of the campaign in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Seanáin Mcguigan, Pringles Brand Manager for UK&I, said, “Our collaboration with Movember aims to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing in a fun and accessible way.

“We were thrilled by the positive impact of last year’s campaign, which drove over 127,000 scans to the Movember Conversations tool, and hope to encourage even more scans this year.”

Spooky sweets from The Delicious Dessert Company

The Delicious Dessert Company is bringing a mysterious twist to dessert aisles this Halloween with the launch of two limited-edition treats at Tesco: Mummified Eclairs and Cookies & Scream Cheesecakes.

Perfect for Halloween parties or a cozy night in, these eerie desserts combine fun and flavor for a frightfully good time.

The Mummified Eclair features delicate choux pastry filled with rich chocolate mousse and draped in white chocolate lacing for a spooky effect. For a more ghoulish option, the Cookies & Scream Cheesecakes come as a 2-pack with a cocoa biscuit crumb base, creamy vanilla cheesecake mixed with cookie pieces, topped with rich chocolate ganache and spooky cookie crumbs.

The launch comes just in time for the Halloween festivities, with new research from The Delicious Dessert Company showing that eclairs and cheesecake slices are equally popular choices for a special treat (31% each).

Claire Smith, head of Insight, said, “Our limited-edition Halloween desserts bring a playful twist to classic treats, perfect for those looking to add some fun to their celebrations.

“For most people, Halloween is all about putting a fun twist on a spooky day, and we wanted to create treats that will surprise and delight as the Halloween parties get started.”

These desserts are now available in Tesco stores nationwide.

Ginsters heats up Halloween with returning pasty

Ginsters is spicing up the Halloween market with the return of its Limited-Edition Spicy Sausage & Red Pepper Pasty (180g, RRP £1.95).

UK Halloween spending surpassed £1bn in 2023 – driven largely by 16-34-year-olds –  expected to soar even higher this year. But it’s not all about just sweet treats. As such, Ginsters is meeting demand for savory Halloween-themed alternatives.

Designed to appeal to younger consumers seeking bold, innovative flavors, the Spicy Sausage & Red Pepper Pasty is a versatile option for lunch or dinner, best enjoyed fresh from the oven or air fryer in just 12 minutes.

The seasonal pasty is packed with quality ingredients, including 100% British sausage, smoked bacon, red peppers, onions and locally sourced potatoes, all wrapped in flaky puff pastry and seasoned with fiery chili.

Emma Stowers, Ginsters marketing director, highlighted the brand’s leadership in flavor innovation within the Savoury Pastry category.

She noted, “Our Halloween Pasty has been a hit with younger shoppers, and we’re excited to bring it back this year to offer consumers a spicy, spooky treat.”

The Halloween Pasty will be available in supermarkets nationwide, continuing Ginsters' commitment to delivering high-quality, seasonal options for its customers.

PepsiCo unveils spooktacular snacks

The snacking giant is geared up to satisfy all snacking needs with limited-edition offerings from Frito-Lay and Quaker. This season’s lineup includes:

Quaker Chewy Halloween Minis: Featuring 17g of whole grains per serving, festive orange sprinkles and three fun wrapper designs, these are perfect for adding a Halloween twist to snack time. Available in 28 count packages for an RRP of $6.29.

Cheetos Mac ‘N Cheese Box of Bones: A fan-favorite, this bold and creamy mac ‘n cheese, packed with Cheetos flavor, promises to make mealtime ghoulishly delicious. Available in 5.9oz packages for $1.56.

Cheetos Bag of Bones: Available in Cinnamon Sugar and White Cheddar flavors, these spooky, bone-shaped snacks are a must-have for Halloween-themed parties or movie nights. Available in 7.5oz bags for an RRP of $5.89.

Available for a limited time, these Halloween-themed snacks are perfect for trick-or-treat bowls, party spreads or just enjoying the spooky season. They can be found in retailers nationwide and online. Stock up before they disappear.

Wanderlands blends neuroscience and culinary craft to launch sensory adventure nut mixes

The new snack brand that launched earlier this month is set to elevate the snacking experience with its pecan-based nut mixes inspired by the science of olfaction and the essence of place.

Founded by winemaker Sofia Rovirosa and neuroscientist Jane Ko, Wanderlands has spent the past two years developing recipes that evoke specific locations through unique combinations of textures, ingredients and aromas. Each blend is designed to transport consumers to a sensory adventure, turning everyday snacking into something extraordinary.

The launch features three signature blends:

Mesa After Rain: Earthy and umami, featuring horseradish, hatch green chili, fennel and pecans, evoking the atmosphere after a summer thunderstorm in the desert.

Mineral Creek Wilds: Spicy and tangy, with hatch red chili, fire-roasted peppers, crunchy corn and pecans, reminiscent of fall leaves and roasting chiles.

Into Snowy Woods: Savory and peaty, with lapsang souchong tea, black cardamom, yuzu and cremini mushrooms, capturing the crisp mountain air and forest floor.

Wanderlands uses pecans from Rovirosa’s family estate in New Mexico, ensuring a high-quality, non-GMO base for every mix. With expertise in neuroscience and culinary arts, the founders have crafted a unique sensory experience that resonates with the power of smell to trigger emotions and memories.

Wanderlands is available online, offering a new way to explore the world of snacking through taste and scent.

Cicis and Eggo team up for a sweet and savory pizza

Cicis Pizza has teamed up with Eggo to celebrate National Pizza Month with an exciting limited-time menu item: the Chicken and Eggo Waffles Pizza.

The novel pizza combines crispy Eggo waffles, savory chicken and a pizza crust, all drizzled with maple syrup for a delightfully different flavor experience.

Starting October 7, this sweet and savory creation will be available for dine-in and off-premise ordering at Cicis: in Medium ($9.99), Large ($11.99) and Giant ($14.99).

“Chicken and waffles are a beloved classic and we’re thrilled to partner with Kellanova to put a fun twist on this pairing for National Pizza Month,” said Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza.

“We’re always looking to surprise and delight our guests and this new pizza does just that.”

Added Michelle Barnes, Kellanova’s commercial strategy director, “This collaboration shows how Eggo can create unique culinary experiences that resonate with fans.”

OGGS launches cruelty-free treats for an ethical Christmas

The UK plant-based bakery brand is expanding its range of ‘Cruelty Free Cakes’ for the holiday season to include a gingerbread cake and novel cupcakes, which are both 100% plant-based and made without eggs.

The OGGS Gingerbread Cakes feature spiced gingerbread sandwich cake with creamy vanilla icing, perfect for festive sharing. Available at Sainsbury’s and Ocado from October, its retails for £3.95.

Meanwhile, the OGGS Hot Chocolate & Marshmallow Cupcakes offer a soft chocolate sponge topped with marshmallow-flavored frosting, available in Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado for £2.35.

These festive cakes align with consumer demand for more ethical options. Research shows that 92% of shoppers prefer free-range eggs, with many highlighting animal welfare as a key reason. However, most supermarket cakes still use eggs from caged or barn hens, making OGGS a standout choice for those wanting cruelty-free treats this Christmas.

Founder and CEO Hannah Carter said, “Christmas is all about sharing good food with the people we love, but that doesn’t need to come at the expense of animal welfare.

Our latest Cruelty Free Cakes are deliciously ethical, meaning cake fans can feel good about the choices they’re making over the holiday season. Happy chickens, happy Christmas.”

Jason’s Sourdough expands into food-to-go

The UK sourdough brand has rolled into the food-to-go category with the launch of its new range of premium toasties and hot rolls. Known for its high-quality sourdough, Jason’s brings its signature flavor and texture to convenient, on-the-go options that offer both taste and crunch.

Jason’s Sourdough Toasties come in four bold flavors: Ham Hock & Mature Cornish Cheddar; Nduja & Mature Cornish Cheddar; Kimchi & Mature Cornish Cheddar; and Three Cheese & Onion. Each toastie is crafted on Jason’s signature sourdough Ciabattin and delivers a perfect balance of soft, tangy filling and crispy bread.

Jason’s Every Day Hot Rolls offer three much beloved Brit combo’s: Thick Cut Bacon with Posh Tomato Ketchup; Roast Chicken with Sage & Onion Stuffing; and Hog Roast with Chunky Apple Sauce. These hearty options are packed with slow-cooked meats and wrapped in Jason’s soft sourdough rolls.

In partnership with Around Noon, Jason’s will distribute this new range across foodservice, retail and travel sectors, offering both chilled and ready-to-eat options with an RRP of between £3.50 and £6.00.

“We’re excited to bring our premium sourdough experience to the food-to-go market,” said Jason Geary, master baker at Jason’s Sourdough.

“This new range offers busy consumers delicious, high-quality options that align with our values of taste and authenticity.”