The Hot Flavors for 2023 You Just Have to Try

It’s officially spring! Let’s do some spring cleaning – starting with our snack stash!

Time to make room for the latest trending flavors. Tis the season to try out new seasonings! Here are the top hot flavors for 2023 that are a must-try.

Cajun/Creole

Local has long been a food trend. But for 2023, it’s regional flavors that have major appeal. The frontrunner – Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole (Food Business News). So much so that even major spice brand McCormick introduced a new Vietnamese x Cajun Style Seasoning.

While we’re used to seeing Cajun and Creole seasoning as a rub on seafood and meat, let’s spice things up a bit. The bold, spicy, earthy flavor of a Cajun/Creole spice mix really lends itself to snack party favorites – nut mixes! Try Nassau Candy’s Cajun Crunch Mix, bursting with spicy flavor and the perfect crunch, including peanuts, Cajun hot sticks, sesame bites, and pretzel sticks.

Protein is another big draw for snacks. Sahale Creole Bean + Nut Mix brings bold Creole flavors and protein power in an expertly crafted blend of chickpeas, fava beans, roasted pecans, peanuts, pepitas, crisped brown rice, and red bell pepper doused in signature spices.

Trying something new can be hard. Make it easy on yourself by trying trending Creole flavors on a snacking classic – tortilla chips like Hola Nola Creole Tortilla Chips.

Handmade, hand cut, and following traditional cooking methods, Hola Nola’s Creole Tortilla Chips taste like homemade. The microwavable bag lets you heat them up for that just-made experience.

Craving something spicy AND poppable? Grab Cajun Hot Corn Sticks. They taste great on their own, but can bring an extra zip and crunch to custom snack mixes or serve as a salad topper.

Mexican Desserts

Even with the new focus on regional, global flavors are still trending. One area that’s particularly popular is Mexico – specifically their dessert flavors (Food Business News).

One flavor favorite – Churro. That cinnamon spice and crunch is popping up everywhere. The classic Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll gets a Churro makeover, but chocolate lovers should try Chuao Dark Chocolate Cheeky Cheeky Churro, with crisp cinnamon churro pieces blended into rich dark chocolate.

Even better-for-you snacks are embracing the “cin-ful” churro taste. Like From the Ground Up’s Cinnamon Churro Puffs. Plant-based ingredients, a sweet-spicy cinnamon churro flavor, and a crisp crunch mean everyone will be flocking to the snack bowl.

This summer’s breakout dessert flavor? Mangonada. A frozen blend of mangos, Chamoy chili sauce, and chili powder. Want to try the flavor without making one? Go with Lucas Mexican Candy. Many varieties feature chamoy and fruit flavors in fun, single-serving formats. Start with Lucas Mango Polvos for sweet-and-sour mango powder, or Lucas Chamoy Muecas, which pairs a chamoy lollipop with chili powder dip. For a mangonada-like experience, try Lucas Mango Skwinkles Salsagheti — mango candy strings with chili and tamarind sauce.

Looking for something easier to find? Try Nassau Candy’s Chili Mango Fruit Slices or Peeled Snacks Chili Mango dried fruit snacks for a health-conscious take.

Sweet Heat

Sweet Heat isn’t just for Mangonadas. It’s showing up across categories.

Create a dip or baste chicken wings with Maille Mike’s Hot Honey Dijon Mustard. French honey Dijon meets spicy Mike’s Hot Honey for a perfect balance.

Pair it with Popcorners Sweet Chili Popcorn Chips or the exotic, crunchy Prime Planet Tostones Sweet Chili Plantain Chips.

Sweet and spicy candy is also having a moment. Chili Chews adds chili heat to gummies like Sour Worms and Peach Bites.

Even chocolate joins the sweet heat fun with Tabasco Spicy Dark Chocolate Wedges — real Tabasco sauce blended into dark chocolate in a conversation-starting tin.

Breakfast

Breakfast is a hot flavor trend for 2023 — think pancakes, French toast, and coffee flavors.

One standout: Milk Bar Pancake Cookies — sugar cookies with maple syrup and butter for that real pancake taste.

Or try Jelly Belly’s Pancakes and Maple Syrup Jelly Beans — all the flavor of a full stack packed into each bean.

Protein snacks are also joining the trend. One Cinnamon Roll Protein Bar delivers protein and a classic breakfast flavor, while the One Crunch Bar Cinnamon French Toast packs 12g of protein and 1g of sugar with a crispy texture.

Want functional ingredients too? Lenny & Larry’s Maple French Toast The Boss! Immunity Bar includes dairy and plant-based protein and probiotics in a crisp wafer bar with French Toast cream and white chocolate coating.