Guilt-free protein bars for a tasty treat

It’s what today’s active consumers hope to find on the shelf: Nutritious protein bars that look, taste and chew just like a candy bar - perfect for satisfying impulse carb-cravings or as a snack after a run. And without the guilty feelings! Yet 55% say it is hard to find indulgent snacks they believe are healthy¹.

Healthy indulgence meets sports nutrition

Targeting the increasing number of consumers who follow high-protein, low-carb diets is a highly attractive opportunity for sports nutrition and health brands². Putting tastier, more indulgent, yet conscience-easing protein snacks in the hands of such consumers bridges the gap between health and indulgence. And, with a projected 2021-25 CAGR of 6%³ there are plenty of rewards for manufacturers with a recipe for protein bar success.

Taste and texture play together

As better-for-me snacking becomes increasingly mainstream, established brands from both the sports nutrition and confectionary categories are scrambling to launch new consumer favourites. With nutritional content as a relatively easily included feature, the battlefield is focused on taste and texture - two of the biggest challenges for protein bars, yet key choice criteria for consumers on all snacking occasions and at all times of day⁴.

A smoother road to innovation

Protein bars are a classic try-it-once, love-it-or-forget-it product. So it’s important to optimise taste, texture and nutrition value right from the start. Pairing ever-popular peanut butter, for example, with protein bars for a full-flavoured, melt-in-the-mouth experience doesn’t always go smoothly! Hardening texture and dry mouthfeel can shorten shelf-life, putting consumer trial purchases at risk. 

Introducing Lacprodan^® SoftBar

Lacprodan^® SoftBar delivers it all: Taste, texture, high protein, long shelf-life and ease of manufacture. To demonstrate this texture-softening ingredient’s power, we’ve developed and thoroughly tested a creamy peanut butter protein bar that delivers an unforgettable and indulgent high-protein experience. It’s a recipe that puts success on the shelf - and delivers a consistent, delicious experience week after week, month after month.

• Indulgent and creamy thanks to the soft nut butter base made possible with Lacprodan^® SoftBar
• Documented soft texture throughout the entire shelf-life
• Simple, recognisable ingredients list, featuring real, natural peanut butter
  
  

Ready for roll-out

Comprehensive production trials and shelf-life assessments conducted at our pilot production facilities make this recipe a plug-and-play solution that brands can use as is, or as a basis for trying additional flavour combinations or nut butter varieties that can support:

Product benefits

• No maltitol
• No soy

On-pack claims:

• High protein*
• High fibre*
• Gluten-free
• Contributes to growth and maintenance of muscle mass and normal bones**

Taste sweet success today with Lacprodan^® SoftBar - or contact us to help you create other nutritious, chewy and delicious protein bars that are perfect for candy-loving health-conscious consumers and for your brand.

*Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006
** Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012

1. HealthFocus^® International: Global Trend Study, 2020
2. Innova Market Insights, 2020
3. Euromonitor International, 2021
4. HealthFocus^® International: Global Healthy Indulgence & Snacking Report, 2020