Leftovers: Angie’s pops into new Cinnabon popcorn | Goodles goes gluten-free

Angie’s pops over new Cinnabon popcorn

Angie’s Boomchickapop is partnering with Cinnabon on a tasty snack that brings the popcorn brand and cinnamon roll maker together.

The new popcorn was developed with Cinnabon Makara cinnamon and reportedly delivers notes of baked dough and warm spices with a rich cream cheese drizzle as well as hints of vanilla. The popcorn is whole-grain, non-GMO and gluten-free. A 4.5 ounce bag has a suggested retail price of $4.29. 

“Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP is excited to partner with Cinnabon to bring its iconic flavor to the #1 kettle brand in ready-to-eat popcorn.,” Lucy Brady, president of grocery and snacks at Conagra, said in a statement. “It’s a perfect snack for anyone craving something sweet, salty, and delicious.”

The new Angie’s Boomchickapop Cinnabon Drizzled Kettle Corn brings together two snacking attributes popular with consumers: sweet and salty. It’s a similar tactic used by confections giant Hershey that seen the Pennsylvania-based company bring its Reese’s and Cookies N’ Cream to popcorn.

Despite its nearly ubiquitous presence at shopping mall food courts, Cinnabon is among the most prominent licensors of its brand to other products lining grocery store shelves. During the last decade, Cinnabon has found its name attached to Pinnacle Vodka, Breyers ice cream, Cream of Wheat, Keurig’s K-Cup Pods and International Delight Creamers. 

— Christopher Doering

Goodles goes gluten-free

Better-for-you mac & cheese maker Goodles is expanding its product lineup by giving people who don’t consume gluten two new options.

The brand has debuted gluten-free varieties of its flavors Cheddy Mac and Vegan Be Heroes, a dairy-free option with vegan cheddar cheese made from cashew nut milk.

According to the company, the demand for options that eschew the wheat-based ingredient was high from the moment it first debuted products three years ago.

“Pretty sure that ‘When will you release a gluten-free version?’ was asked about 20 seconds after our launch, and it’s consistently been our most-requested wish ever since,” said Jen Zeszut, Goodles CEO and co-founder, in a statement.

The new Goodles offerings took 18 months to develop as the company worked to perfect a proprietary formula, it said in the press release. The company claims that compared to other gluten-free noodles on the market, the product is not gummy and holds up when fully cooked.

Goodles noted in the press release that while gluten-free products are most often purchased by people with Celiac Disease and other related health issues, many consumers who do not experience a sensitivity to the ingredient are also looking to limit their intake because of a perceived health benefit. Roughly a quarter of Americans follow a gluten-free diet, according to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln study.

Looking to shake up the stagnant mac and cheese segment, Goodles debuted in 2021 with a lineup of offerings containing 13 or 14 grams of protein per serving, and 21 plant-based nutrients like mushrooms and kale. The brand raised $13 million in a Series A funding round last September.

Long dominated by Kraft’s Mac & Cheese and Annie’s, the mac and cheese space is evolving as consumers seek more variety in their purchases. Last year, gluten-free pasta maker Jovial Foods entered the mac & cheese category with two offerings, White Cheddar and a vegan option.

— Chris Casey

Elmhurst 1925 brews up a latte line

Elmhurst 1925 is bringing its plant-based dairy milks to mugs at home, with the launch of its Multi-Serve Latte Line. 

Containing minimal ingredients, and free of gums, oils and emulsifiers, Elmhurst touts itself as making the “finest plant-based dairies in the market,” and the rich coffee flavor offerings are no exception, according to the company. 

The brand has unveiled four varieties: Pistachio Crème, Maple Walnut, Caramel Cashew and Brown Sugar Oat, with Toasted Vanilla Almond expected to be available later this spring. 

Elmhurst drew inspiration from the rich flavors of a coffeehouse to give consumers a healthier experience at home. The drinks are a mixture of Arabica cold brew and the brand’s clean-label plant milk. 

“Because we use our smooth & creamy plant milks as a base, these lattes are as rich and flavorful as what you’d get at a coffee shop, without the gums, oils, and high sugar levels you’ll find in other ready-to-drink options,” said senior director of brand marketing and innovation Heba Mahmoud in a statement. 

The Elma, New York-based plant-based beverage maker seems to be focused on innovation in 2024. In February, the company made its way into more categories with the launch of its sour cream pouch product.

Elmhurst said it is looking to become a plant-based company, and not just a dairy-free beverage maker. 

Though its new latte line is another launch in the beverage category, it allows Elmhurst to compete with the likes of bigger dairy-free companies like Oatly, who just launched a line of coffee creamers this week. 

“At Elmhurst, it’s our mission to offer the cleanest and creamiest plant-based products in the market,” said Mahmoud. “This commitment to continuous innovation has led us to craft the ultimate dairy-free lattes for coffee lovers.”

The creamers are available direct to consumers from Elmhurst’s website, and on Amazon as well as in-store exclusively at Sprouts this March with more retailers to follow.

— Elizabeth Flood