The protein snack world is evolving rapidly, and nobody’s pushing the envelope quite like Michael Alfaro and his team at Master Foods Lab. At SupplySide West 2024, we caught up with Michael at the Arla Foods Ingredients booth, where he unveiled some truly innovative protein-packed treats that left us questioning everything we thought we knew about functional foods.
High-Protein Donuts: Breaking New Ground
The star of the show was undoubtedly Master Foods Lab’s High-Protein Donuts. Using Arla Foods Ingredients’ protein technologies, Alfaro and his team have accomplished what many thought impossible: a protein donut that’s legitimately moist and delicious.
Protein donuts? Master Foods Lab just raised the bar at SupplySide West 2024! With 15g protein, 200 calories, and 3 crave-worthy flavors (Blueberry, Confetti, Peanut Butter S’mores), they’re moist, delicious, and game-changing.
Each serving (two donuts) delivers:
- 15 grams of protein
- 200 calories
- Only 4-5 grams of sugar
- 5 grams of collagen
The donuts come in three mouth-watering varieties:
- True Blueberry (featuring real freeze-dried blueberries)
- Homer Simpson-inspired “Confetti” with sprinkles and light chocolate coating
- Peanut Butter S’mores with chocolate coating
What sets these apart is their incredible texture. Unlike previous protein donuts that tend to dry out quickly, these maintain their moisture thanks to innovative protein technology and a strategic enrobing process that locks in freshness. Alfaro demonstrated that even after a week at room temperature, the donuts retained their soft, cake-like texture.
Protein Krispy Treats: A Cleaner Take on a Classic
The innovation didn’t stop at donuts. Master Foods Lab also showcased their protein-enhanced rice krispy treats, leveraging Arla’s SoftBar protein blend to create a perfectly chewy texture that stays fresh far longer than traditional marshmallow-based treats.
The macros are impressive:
- 15-16 grams of protein
- 150-160 calories
- 4-5 grams of sugar
These treats use 90% protein crisps instead of traditional rice crisps, creating an incredibly macro-friendly snack that doesn’t sacrifice the classic crispy texture we all love.
SoftBar and the Science Behind the Success
The secret to these revolutionary treats lies in the strategic use of Arla Foods Ingredients’ protein technologies, particularly their SoftBar blend. As Preston Losee from Arla explained, SoftBar is a specialized whey protein blend designed to maintain softness throughout a product’s shelf life without relying on collagen or other textural agents.
This is no small feat – maintaining proper texture in protein-enriched baked goods has long been one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Master Foods Lab made a crucial last-minute decision to incorporate SoftBar into the donut formula, resulting in a significant improvement in texture and stability.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Functional Foods
These innovations represent more than just new products – they’re a glimpse into the future of functional foods. As we discussed in our recent podcast with Michael Alfaro, the intersection of taste, texture, and nutrition is where the magic happens. This collaboration between Master Foods Lab and Arla Foods Ingredients (whose protein bar science we explored in Episode #145) demonstrates how far the industry has come.
As previewed earlier, these innovations are part of a larger push toward mass-market acceptance of functional foods. With major retailers like Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Target expanding their functional food sections, the timing couldn’t be better for these premium protein-enriched treats.
Want to learn more about the protein technology making these innovations possible? Check out our deep dive into Arla Foods Ingredients’ protein bar solutions and their own innovative concepts from SupplySide West 2024.
Better For You Snacks Are Coming Thanks to These Two Companies
What we witnessed at SupplySide West 2024 wasn’t just another protein snack launch – it was a demonstration of what’s possible when innovative food scientists and premium ingredient suppliers collaborate. Master Foods Lab and Arla Foods Ingredients have set a new standard for functional foods, proving that with the right ingredients and expertise, you really can have your protein donut and eat it too.
Stay tuned for more updates as these revolutionary treats make their way to market!
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