Welcome to Snack Drop, a column where we give you the lowdown on all of the best new-to-market snacks that have landed on our desks each month.
This month: Tikka-inspired lentil crisps, bars made from Japanese sweet potatoes, and a granola that might just make you glow.
Paro Lentil Chips
I keep a constant supply of Paro's boxed kitchari in my pantry for cold winter nights when I’m out of groceries, so I was thrilled to learn that the brand is expanding into the snack aisle with its latest launch: lentil crisps. Made with lentil and potato flour and available in three varieties, their flavor reminds me vaguely of veggie straws—if veggie straws were ultra crunchy, chip-shaped, and coated in seasoning. I’d be hard-pressed to choose a favourite between the smoky BBQ Tikka, the surprisingly moreish Jalepeño Mint, and Salt & Pepper, which seems basic but has a satisfying, subtle kick thanks to a generous dusting of finely ground black pepper. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
I could eat a Japanese sweet potato every day and never tire of them. My preferred method of consumption? Roasting them whole for almost an hour in the oven until they get caramelly and very tender. So when I saw Beni Bites Japanese sweet potato bars at Pop Up Grocer on a recent snack hunt, I knew I had to try them. The bars come in a few varieties, spanning from original with just one ingredient (JSP of course) to black sesame protein cookie, which has 10 grams of plant protein from pea protein. There’s a matcha yuzu strawberry flavor too—and if you know my taste, you know this brand feels practically made for me. The bars are naturally sweet from the Japanese sweet potato, have the perfect tender texture, and are equally good for an afternoon snack or a pre-workout treat. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations manager
Realm Savory Veggie Crisps
My former college roommate is a Veggie Straws stan, so I've gone through more bags with her over the years than I can count. But after trying Realm Veggie Crisps, I can confidently say that I'll never go back to the tricolored stuff. While Veggie Straws are made of potato flour with veggie powders, Realm makes its crisps with four whole vegetables: orange sweet potato, cassava, purple sweet potato, and cauliflower. That small adjustment in ingredients makes a real difference in flavor. You can distinctly taste each one—the sweetness of the tuber, the earthiness of the cauliflower, the complexity of the purple sweet potato. Think of the texture as if Terra Veggie Chips and Veggie Straws had a baby. I really liked the spicy chipotle flavor, which had a layered, smoky heat with a cool lime tang. It's what I'll be reaching for any time I need a salty crunch.—Olivia Tarantino, senior commerce editor
Bjornqorn Ruby
This is not the first time we’ve waxed poetic about Bjornqorn here at BA, but I have an important announcement to make: My longtime favorite Bjornqorn flavor, once a seasonal limited edition, has been newly released as a permanent addition to the brand’s lineup. That flavor is Ruby, which features Bjornqorn’s signature sun-popped kernels dressed in nutritional yeast and hibiscus powder. It may sound like an odd combination, but the result is wonderfully balanced, equal parts savory and tangy. —A.C.
Purely Elizabeth Purely Glow Salted Vanilla Pistachio Granola
Purely Elizabeth is consistently one of our team’s favorite granolas and has been a tried-and-true staple in my snack pantry since high school. Their newest release, the Purely Glow Granola in Salted Vanilla Pistachio, boasts collagen peptides and biotin, which I like to think will make me glow a little with each bite. Beauty benefits aside, the granola is particularly cluster-y and quite delicious, with a vanilla-forward flavor profile and bits of pistachio in every bite. —K.K.