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Puffed and extruded snacks cover a lot of ground: from cheese snacks to multigrain chips and pork rinds, they dominate the snack aisle. And they span a wide range of snacking occasions, from fun and indulgent to mindfully better-for-you.

Many snack producers are adding interesting flavors and ingredients to their pretzels. Recent product introductions include pretzel nuggets filled with peanut butter and dark chocolate, as well as more gluten-free options.

Ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn continues to find a willing audience at both ends of the dietary spectrum, with both health-forward and indulgent options seeing growth.

The frozen snacks and appetizers category has seen steady growth over the past few years thanks to the combined avenues of convenience and culinary diversity manufacturers are bringing to market. These products nicely accent the category, finding a home alongside longtime staples that likewise continue to see growth.

Crackers maintain far-reaching appeal. But while the category benefits from increased consumer interest in snacking, crackers have experienced intensified competition from other foods within salty snacks and beyond.

Potato chips are a staple snack and meal accompaniment, a natural pairing with burgers and hot dogs on the grill, or with a sandwich at lunch. And sales are on the rise.

Nearly everyone in the United States has a snack at least once a day, and the frequency of snacking is on the rise. Snacking, for an increasing percentage of the population, is a lifestyle, with multiple eating occasions replacing mealtimes.

No longer relegated to taco night, tortillas are playing a major role in Americans' meal plans, both at home and when dining out.

People have always had a love affair with sweet baked goods like pastries, doughnuts and muffins. Today, however, we want sweet treats that are delicious and sometimes even a bit more nutritious, but only slightly less indulgent.

Snack cakes have always been popular, partially due to the fact that they're so portable - pop one in your purse or in the car, and you've got an "on-the-go" snack. The category continues to grow, with different flavors and trends emerging each year.