I’m always on the hunt for snacks that are both nutritious and delicious. Traditionally chips (or crisps, depending on where you’re from), nuts and pretzels have ruled the inflight snack scene, but perhaps it is now time for a change.
As passengers show a growing awareness of health and nutrition issues, and allergy concerns move up the agenda, now is a great time to start exploring the huge growth in innovative new snacks.
During my visit to WTCE 2025 in Hamburg, I spent a lot of time on the lookout for snacks that offered vitamins, phytonutrients, fibre and protein, while also reducing salt or sugar where possible. I was most interested in options that not only support travellers’ wellbeing but also elevate the onboard dining experience. WTCE was the ideal place to see which snacks are bidding for a place on the onboard hospitality menu, and hitting the expo floor did not disappoint.
Defining healthy
Eating a variety of foods is the key to healthy eating and I’m always delighted to see wholefoods starring as the foundation of a snack. When it comes to healthy snacking, I like to view every bite as an opportunity – not just for enjoyment, but also for nourishing the body. To me, healthy snacks should offer a range of nutrients, fibres and bioactives to support overall wellbeing, whether you are eating them on the ground or inflight.
Veggie priorities
Among those which caught my eye was POSHI’s range of vegetable snacks including green beans, cauliflower florets, olives, asparagus and cornichons. What I love about these snacks is that they are lightly marinated and steamed. You don’t see many vegetables snacks like these onboard but why not? I love the little pickles and the green beans. These snacks are suitable for a range of dietary requirements ticking the box for those seeking nut-free, soy-free and vegan credentials.
Gourmet Snacks is already working with many airlines but what grabbed my attention this year were the crunchy corn-based snacks and vegetable snacks. The team showcased Beetroot Chips and Garden Chips (jackfruit, beetroot and sweet potato) which tasted good and were not too salty. Beetroot contains a range of phytonutrients which contribute to health, including betanin which gives beetroot it’s beautiful red/purple colour.
Wabba was exhibiting its range of crunchy fava bean snacks, which included both sweet and savoury flavours such as sea salt, cheddar cheese and dark chocolate. Legumes such as fava beans contain both plant-based protein and fibre making them ideal snacks, especially on the go.
Nairns is a well-established brand of oat-based biscuits but its expo stand showcased just how versatile an oats range can be. Oats are a nutritious food as their fibre content is important for gut health, and while plain oatcakes are a great accompaniment to a cheese plate onboard, there are now also many flavour combinations such as Mixed Peppercorn & Seasalt or, and opportunities to pair sweeter flavours with the hot drinks service, such as the gluten-free Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon oat bakes.
Sweet treats
Another healthier sweet treat comes from K-Berry which showcased its range of fresh and freeze-dried strawberries, turning the spotlight onto ways to offer something sweet without too much sugar. Strawberries are a nutrient powerhouse packing a punch of vitamin C and polyphenols to name but a few. The freeze-dried strawberries are an interesting concept with some covered in a little chocolate to create a nutritious snack with a hint of sweetness and indulgence.
Seeds and dried fruits pack a punch when it comes to nutritious goodness and make a wholesome alternative to biscuits, so it is good to see exhibitors such as Farmley highlighting some great innovation in taste when it comes to these foods with mixes including sunflower and pumpkin seeds, cranberries and blueberries.
Join the debate
The ongoing debate around ultra-processed snacks and their increasing prevalence in diets worldwide continues, but it was refreshing to see that there are many nutritious alternative snacks on offer for airlines to choose from.
Worldwide there is such an abundance of amazing fruits, vegetables and grains available, that innovating should not be hard and it is heartening to see suppliers being creative in the ways they are bringing new snack ideas to the onboard catering world. The snacks on display showed airlines and caterers do have the opportunity to expand their thinking when it comes to inflight snacking, offer passengers foods that are not only nutritious but genuinely enjoyable to eat while travelling.
The examples I’ve shared are just a handful of what is available. Do your own investigations and you may be surprised at how wide the range of alternatives to classic favourite snacks has become. I am certain your passengers will thank you for considering something different, and I for one am already looking forward to seeing further innovations to come.
