Plant-Based Product of the Month

Plant-Based Bakery Products Meet Consumer Needs

From breads to cookies to pastries, bakery products are a beloved part of the American diet and show no signs of falling out of favor. However, with the shift toward products that are healthier for people, animals, and the planet, some baked goods manufacturers are using plant-forward strategies to gain a competitive edge. 

Today’s most exciting plant-based bakery products can catch the eye of any consumer through unexpected ingredients like sprouted and ancient grains or attractive toppings and inclusions like flax and pumpkin seeds. 

Top Trends in Plant-Based Bakery Products

Health and Nutrition

One important trend pushing plant-based bakery products into the spotlight is the allergen-free movement. Parents concerned about their children’s food allergies (or potential allergies) are supporting this trend. Other consumers are also using allergen-free products in an effort to improve digestion and overall health. Many plant-based products can be formulated without dairy, egg, or wheat, making them a go-to choice for some consumers with dairy or gluten allergies or sensitivities.

Consumers’ interest in better-for-you ingredients is also driving plant-based innovation in baked goods. This includes traditional products made with healthier ingredients—for example, a bread typical in appearance, texture, and taste but fortified with oat fiber or pea protein. It also encompasses bakery products that showcase healthy ingredients as inclusions or toppings. Popular choices are chia, flax, and hemp seeds which are known for their omega-3s and whole grains such as oat and quinoa. Top front-of-package nutrient call-outs include protein, fiber, and omega-3 content.

Sustainability

Plant-based bakery products often have a sustainability story to tell. For example, a manufacturer who replaces eggs in a bakery product with plant-based alternatives (such as pea or flaxseed protein) offers consumers a product with less environmental impact in terms of soil and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Even among fully plant-based products, certain ingredients stand out for their superb sustainability reputation—such as oats, which require less water and land than many other crops. 

Packaging

Some plant-based baked goods food companies are extending their plant-based efforts to include the packaging material itself. Options include plant-based flexible films, as well as semi-rigid materials for trays and lids. Other eco-friendly strategies embraced by some companies are bakery boxes made from unbleached, chlorine-free pulp or recycled materials and packaging that can be either recycled or composted by the consumer.

Winning with Plant-Based Ingredients

Glanbia Nutritionals’ plant-based portfolio provides high-quality plant-based protein, flaxseed, chia, quinoa, and oat ingredients that give your products outstanding safety, nutrition, and flavor. We also produce edible film and EdiSparkles glitter for a dash of color. We work with your team to provide safe, clean label nutritional ingredients that are easier to incorporate into a range of applications. All of our ingredients are non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher.

Explore our portfolio of in-demand plant-based ingredients that meet the trends of today!