PepsiCo Foods U.S. announced on May 21, 2026, the launch of PopCorners Protein, delivering 9 grams of protein per serving from a combination of pea protein and rice protein. The product debuts in three flavors: Hickory BBQ, Zesty Cheddar, and Cinnamon Delight. It is popped, never fried, and made with no artificial preservatives or flavors.
The product rolls out at select retailers in late May 2026, with nationwide availability in July 2026. It will be sold in 5-oz bags and 4-count multipacks. Tina Mahal, Senior Vice President of Marketing at PepsiCo Foods, serves as spokesperson. PepsiCo reported nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025.
The Product: Pea Protein Meets Rice Protein in a Popped Corn Format
PopCorners Protein uses a dual plant protein system: pea protein and rice protein, along with rice flour as the base. This combination creates a more complete amino acid profile.
Pea protein is high in lysine but lower in methionine. Rice protein has the opposite profile. Together, they form a more balanced plant protein system that supports PepsiCo’s “complete protein” positioning.
At 9 grams of protein per serving, PopCorners Protein sits in the mid-tier of PepsiCo’s protein portfolio. It bridges lighter protein snacks like Quaker Protein Rice Crisps and higher-protein formats such as Quaker Instant Oatmeal.
The popped corn chip format also requires the protein system to integrate without disrupting texture. This reinforces the importance of functional ingredient compatibility at scale.
The Three Flavors: Seasoning Architecture
The three flavors span both savory and sweet use cases, reflecting growing demand for protein snacking across multiple occasions.
Hickory BBQ delivers a smoky-savory profile using hickory smoke flavor, tomato or vinegar tang, and a sweet base note. It remains the most established flavor in the protein snack category.
Zesty Cheddar combines cheddar cheese flavor with a tangy acid profile. Because the product avoids artificial flavors, it relies on real cheese powder and natural flavor systems.
Cinnamon Delight introduces a sweet protein snack option. It uses cinnamon and sweet spice notes to create a dessert-style chip format. This expands protein snacking beyond traditional savory occasions.
The PopCorners Platform
PopCorners is a popped corn chip brand known for its airy, never-fried texture. It was acquired by Frito-Lay in 2012 and operates within PepsiCo’s better-for-you snack portfolio.
The protein extension builds on existing consumer trust in the brand’s “popped, not fried” positioning. This helps reduce friction for introducing functional ingredients like protein without altering the brand’s core identity.
PepsiCo’s Expanding Protein Strategy
PopCorners Protein is part of a broader PepsiCo functional nutrition strategy that spans multiple brands and formats.
This includes Quaker Protein Rice Crisps, Quaker Protein Granola Bars, Quaker Protein Oats, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Doritos Protein, SmartFood Fiber Pop, SunChips Fiber, and beverage innovations such as Pepsi Prebiotic Cola and poppi.
PopCorners Protein represents the expansion of protein into the popped corn chip category, adding another platform for pea and rice protein procurement across PepsiCo’s snack network.
Why It Matters
PopCorners Protein introduces a sustained procurement channel for pea protein isolate and rice protein concentrate at the Frito-Lay manufacturing scale. These ingredients must perform without compromising texture in a popped corn chip system.
The dual protein system strengthens demand for functional plant protein blends designed for complete amino acid profiles in mainstream snacks.
The no-artificial-flavors requirement also increases reliance on natural seasoning systems. Hickory BBQ requires natural smoke flavor compounds. Zesty Cheddar requires real cheese powder. Cinnamon Delight requires natural cinnamon flavor systems.
Each flavor must perform within a protein-enriched corn matrix while maintaining shelf stability and flavor consistency.
The simultaneous rollout of PopCorners Protein alongside other PepsiCo protein products in 2026 increases aggregate demand for plant protein ingredients across multiple manufacturing platforms.
FAQs
What is PopCorners Protein?
A protein-fortified version of PopCorners delivering 9g of protein per serving from pea protein, rice protein, and rice flour. It is popped, never fried, and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.
When is it available?
It launches at select retailers in late May 2026 and rolls out nationwide in July 2026.
What protein does it use?
A dual plant protein blend of pea protein and rice protein designed to create a more complete amino acid profile.
What flavors are available?
Hickory BBQ, Zesty Cheddar, and Cinnamon Delight.
What is the broader strategy?
PopCorners Protein is part of PepsiCo’s multi-brand functional protein expansion across snacks, oats, crisps, and beverages.
About Source86
PopCorners Protein reflects rising demand for pea protein isolate and rice protein concentrate in functional snack systems. It also increases demand for natural smoke flavor compounds, real cheese powder, and cinnamon-based flavor systems used in protein-enhanced snacks at scale.
At Source86, we connect CPG manufacturers and snack producers with trusted wholesale sourcing partners for plant protein systems, natural flavor compounds, cheese powders, and functional ingredient supply chains that support large-scale snack innovation.
Whether sourcing pea protein for a popped snack system, rice protein for plant-based blends, or natural seasoning systems for better-for-you products, Source86 helps brands build reliable ingredient supply chains for next-generation protein innovation. Contact Source86 today to start your sourcing search.
