CORN NUTS just turned the snack game on its head. Known for their loud crunch and even louder flavors, the iconic brand is now introducing a hybrid: Partially Popped Corn Kernel Flavors. Imagine popcorn and corn nuts had a delicious baby — airy yet crunchy, indulgent yet snackable.
From White Cheddar to Movie Theater Butter and Kickin’ Cheddar, these bold new flavors are designed to satisfy cravings and keep snackers reaching for more. And with their grab-and-go size and irresistible texture, they’re made for convenience store shelves and road trip backpacks alike.
Ready for the inside scoop? Let’s dive in.
Popcorn meets crunch in a bold new launch
Hormel Foods Corporation, the parent company of CORN NUTS, officially announced the launch of its Partially Popped corn kernel line — a snacking innovation meant to blend the best of popcorn and the signature CORN NUTS crunch.
Flavor Alert!
Here’s what’s popping:
- White Cheddar – Smooth and savory, a creamy crowd-pleaser.
- Movie Theater Butter – Popcorn vibes, no ticket required.
- Kickin’ Cheddar – Spicy, cheesy, and totally addictive.
“The CORN NUTS brand has always been about big crunch and even bigger flavor, and now, with our new Partially Popped options, we’re bringing fans a whole new way to snack. These snacks are perfect for road trips, backyard barbeques, solo snacking, or gameday gatherings. No matter where you are, just kick back and crunch away.” Tim Bortner is, brand manager for the CORN NUTS brand.
A new texture era in snacking
So what makes partially popped corn kernels so exciting?
- They deliver the lightness of popcorn… with the satisfying crunch of CORN NUTS®
- They’re uniquely snackable: less tooth-chipping than OG corn nuts, more bite than popcorn
- Flavor-forward varieties keep them exciting and easy to crave
- Positioned for the growing market of convenience-first snacking
With snackers hitting convenience stores over 260 times a year, quick, crunchy, and portable treats are key — and this launch checks every box.
Popped lifestyle
For wholesale and private label snack manufacturers, this is a flavor-forward signal that consumers are still hungry for textural variety and bold seasoning — especially in nostalgic or reimagined formats.
At Ingredient Brothers, we see this trend aligning with:
- Crossover innovation – blending formats (like puffed + crunchy)
- High-flavor seasoning blends – cheddar, spice, butter flavor profiles
- Snackable sizes – perfect for portion packs or vending formats
- Corn’s comeback – from masa to snack bases, corn is staying top of mind
Looking to develop your own crave-worthy snack line? A little flavor plus the right crunch can go a long way. Corn is the golden thread in every great recipe!
Crunch on!
From retail shelves to foodservice snack trays, the CORN NUTS brand’s bold new launch proves there’s still plenty of room to innovate with humble ingredients — especially corn.This isn’t just a new snack. It’s a sign of where the category is headed: hybrid formats, elevated flavors, and formats that keep snackers surprised (and satisfied).
Want to explore how corn-based ingredients can crunch up your product line? Let’s talk toppings, seasonings, corn inclusions, or private label options. Contact Source86 to start crafting your next craveable concept — or check out our ingredient list to see what’s popping!
