Candy and snack innovators take top honors at Sweets & Snacks Expo
The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced its 2025 Most Innovative New Product Awards, honoring innovations across 12 categories in the candy and snack industries. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association, the annual awards highlight products that “demonstrate creativity, consumer relevance and market potential.”
More than 400 products were submitted, and a panel of retail experts selected winners. They include:
- Best in Show: Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Matcha Latte Popcorn
- Small Business Innovator: Nomad Snacks Pad Thai Flavored Ready-to-eat Popcorn
- Chocolate: Pop & Sol Coconut Flaked White Chocolate Covered Cashews
- Gourmet/Premium Confections: Mattigan’s Dubai Style Chocolate Spread
- Gum & Mints: breathROX Popping Breath Mints – Blue Raspberry
- Gummy Candy: Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters – Strawberry Punch
- Non-Chocolate Candy: Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube 5oz Original Flavor
- Novelty/Licensed: Ezee Freezee Freeze-n-Peel Strawberry Pop
- Seasonal: Amos Tastysounds JinglePop Graffiti
- Meat Snacks: Bavarian Meats Original Lil’ Landjaeger Individually Wrapped Stick
- Salty Snacks: Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Dubai Chocolate Popcorn
- Savory Snacks: Snak Club Ramen flavored Snack Mix
- Sweet Snacks: Chunk Nibbles Toffee Sweet & Salty Clusters
- Baked Goods: Trashy Gourmet Shortbread Cookies with Mini Strawberry Boba from Molly Bz Cookies
What they are saying
“This year’s winners reflect the evolving tastes and experiences consumers seek in today’s snacking culture,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, in a release. “These products represent the sweet and savory innovations that keep the category fresh and exciting.”
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo will be held May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.