Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a new concept to help manufacturers create protein bars that offer healthier indulgence without compromising on functionality.

According to the brand, the protein bar category is forecast to grow at a CAGR of six per cent between 2021 and 2025, largely because of demand for tasty snacks that can quell “carb-cravings”.

However, there is a growing call on manufacturers to bridge the gap between health and indulgence, with 55% of consumers saying it is hard to find indulgent snacks they believe are healthy.

The ingredients firm concluded that as the bar category becomes more competitive, manufacturers are looking for innovative ways to meet both these needs. With one increasingly featured ingredient being peanut butter, that offers indulgent taste as well as “melt-in-the-mouth” texture.

However, the use of a soft nut butter base in protein bars can result in issues such as the risk of hardening over time, which can affect mouthfeel and shelf life. Arla Foods Ingredients’ newest concept demonstrates how such challenge can be overcome. It combines Lacprodan® SoftBar – a dairy and whey protein ingredient which allows bars to reach up to 37% protein content as well as delivering a soft texture – with creamy peanut butter.

The resulting bar is believed to deliver an indulgent eating experience and offers manufacturers opportunities to make claims such as high protein and high in fibre*. Lacprodan® SoftBar works well in maltitol-free bars and has performed well in shelf-life stability tests.

Joe Katterfield, Sales Development Manager, Health & Performance Nutrition, at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “The demand for healthy indulgence is especially apparent in the bar category. Nutritional value, protein content, is more important than ever, but products that don’t deliver an enjoyable consumer experience won’t be purchased a second time – especially when there are so many alternatives available.

“Peanut butter is a great choice because of its flavour and texture profile, and when manufacturers pair it with Lacprodan® SoftBar they can create indulgent bars without sacrificing functionality.”

The new concept can be used by manufacturers as it is, or as a basis for recipes with different flavour combinations or nut butter varieties. It was developed at the Arla Foods Ingredients Application & Technology Science Centre, which now includes a protein bar pilot production line.

Joe Katterfield added: “We’re always looking to expand our technological capabilities and we were particularly excited to commission our new bar line. It’s optimised to replicate industrial mixing, extrusion, and enrobing processes, as well as flow-wrapping into the wrapper, and it will increase our understanding of the production processes used by the industry today.

“This will further improve the expert support we offer bar manufacturers and reinforce our position as the go-to partner for specialised dairy and whey protein ingredients.”