The culinary landscape in Britain has changed somewhat over the last few years, with increasing consumer demand for more casual and sociable food in the form of snacks, appetizers and finger food. Especially convenient for parties, sharing plates, sides and stand-alone snacks, these products have a lot to offer.
“Frozen snacks take the pressure off without compromising on taste or quality, and that convenience is what keeps both shoppers and caterers coming back,” said Jon Body, UK foodservice director at Glenhaven, which supplies the retail (Tesco and Iceland) and foodservice sectors. “They’re consistent, cost effective and help reduce waste.”
Chicken is ever popular – from bite sized nuggets and dippers to flavor-packed options, such as Glenhaven’s Salt & Pepper or Curried Chicken Balls.
“Demand for internationally-inspired food shows no signs of slowing any time soon, but creating an authentic global dish can sometimes be challenging,” said Tom Styman-Heighton, development chef at Funnybones Foodservice. “Having a ready-to-serve frozen version can be an excellent way to meet this demand.”
Funnybones’ Taquitos are available in two flavors – veggie-friendly Jalapeno and Cheese, and vibrant Fajita Chicken (pictured above). They can be served alongside guacamole, salsa and sour cream to dip, in pairs, on the go, or as a large portion to share. The Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire-headquartered company is also set to launch a spicy beef variant very soon.
“Consumers are increasingly seeking experiences through food that reflect global street food trends,” said Martin Finegan, managing director at Pacific West. “Our range leans into these trends, with flavorsome products such as Katsu Prawns and Mango & Chili Prawns. Alternatively, operators can use products such as Prawn Twisters or Breaded Butterfly Prawns as a base, and add global or regional sauces and dips to create excitement for diners.”
Catering for people with allergies and intolerances has risen over the years, which has resulted in a greater number of free-from products entering grocery store freezer aisles.
“There is increasing interest in cuisines from around the world, and this has been mirrored in the frozen appetizer, snacks and finger foods sector too,” said Oli Sampson, managing director of frozen food distributor Central Foods. “The Menuserve Indian Snack Selection and KaterVeg! Moroccan-Style Cauli Bites (pictured below) are both gluten free and vegan friendly – meaning they are suitable for a wide range of customers. These so-called dual criteria products are particularly convenient for caterers.”
Loaded Carbs
According to research from Lamb Weston, more than half (56.2%) of pub dinner occasions include chips, fries or wedges as a side dish. Ideal for sharing and easy to eat, they are a popular quick casual snack.
“To offer snacking and tapas-style menu choices for all-day dining and to encourage trading up from drink-only transactions, using fries as a ‘good value’ experience is an easy addition for most to make,” said Ash Liles, Manchester England-based trade n]marketing manager for Lamb Weston EMMA.
“Operator desire for products that support value, versatility and innovation is on the increase, and for 2025-26 we’re expecting growth in formats that align with the ‘anytime eating’ trend. Think hash browns beyond breakfast, served up as snacks or as an integral part of a meal – not just side of plate.”
Bite-Sized Upselling
The French tradition of serving pâtisserie with hot drinks has long been popular in the Britain, whether when eating out or as a home treat. These products can help foodservice outlets drive sales by upselling with hot drinks, and make it easy for consumers to create a decadent afternoon tea experience in their own homes.
“For an elegant café gourmand, Symphonie Pasquier’s Petits Fours are the ideal choice, offering both variety and quality,” sad Matt Grenter, the brand’s sales manager in the UK. “They are carefully crafted by our expert pâtissiers using authentic French recipes, and then rapidly frozen to preserve distinct flavor, texture and appearance.”
Beyond classic flavors such as vanilla, chocolate and raspberry, foodservice outlets can offer more unique variants, including banana, redcurrant, caramel biscuit, lemon and lime and chocolate orange. Each contain a smooth, crisp almond shell and soft center, filled with a rich ganache.”
Products including mini quiches and pies, and mini smoked salmon bagels, as well as mini topped naans, are perfect for a savory bite, while mini scones and cakes are can’t-miss sweet selections.
“Mini cakes are very popular with the public because they are a great way for people to treat themselves without the guilt,” said Edward Miles, managing director of Frank Dale Foodservice. “Mini scones, mini chocolate cups and mini cakes always have a place in a buffet, afternoon tea or as accompaniments to hot drinks.”
Best Sellers
Glenhaven’s best sellers are the products that bring big flavor and reliability together – menu pleasers like breaded and battered nuggets, dippers, crispy battered balls (pictured below) and strips in bold seasoning profiles.
“These are the freezer staples people reach for without overthinking because they’re tried, trusted and always deliver on taste,” said Body. “Cheese-based bites are also climbing fast as families mix savory favorites with more indulgent options for entertaining and everyday snacking.”
It’s important to provide options that cater to vegetarians and vegans, as there continues to be solid demand for plant-based dining. The added value of these products is that they are suitable for everyone to enjoy.
“The Tipiak Vegan Cocktail Selection (pictured above) features delicious plant-based pieces such as walnut crackers, avocado and almond; mint pea muffins, almond cream and edamame bean; courgette shortbread and cucumber hummus – which are sure to be popular,” said Marie-Emmanuelle Chessé, international development project manager at Tipiak.
The French company’s Provencal Bistro Canapés Selection, featuring 63 pieces and seven different flavors that are suitable for vegetarians, makes it easy to cater for all tastes. Its latest product is French bread rolls filled with Brie cheese. These mini rolls can be served as appetizers, snacks or finger foods, and also as accompaniments to soup, salads and other dishes.
“Seafood and indulgent cheese-based bites both remain popular, as was demonstrated by the category winners for the Frozen Food Awards 2025,” said Rupert Ashby, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation. “On the seafood front, mini prawn toasts, scallop and champagne shells, and coconut breaded king prawns picked up awards. The comfort-led cheese dishes that wowed the judges included Cathedral City’s cheesy caramelized onion bites and Reuben-style croquettes.”
Consumers in the UK are keen on explore new things and this means that they want to try a bit of everything, which is easy to do with these types of products.
“Small plates offer a low risk way to sample multiple cuisines, flavors and textures in a single sitting,” said Finegan. “Squid and prawns dominate the appetizer space and offer excellent flexibility across menus.”
Pacific West’s best sellers include Salt & Pepper Squid Chunks (pictured above) and Lightly Dusted Calamari; MSC-certified Breaded Fish Goujons/Bites; Tempura Prawns, Salmon Supremes and Smoked Salmon.
Frozen snack appetizers and finger foods are in steady demand across all occasions and sectors. With innovations focusing on flavor trends, convenience and value, the only direction for this segment is up.
