Find out what Mumsnet testers thought of Ape snacks

[LucyBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 250 Mumsnetters with children aged 3 - 11 who have been testing out Ape’s Puffs range.

These Mumsnetters tested the following flavours:
Really Cheesy Puffs
Lightly Salted Puffs
Sweet Chilli Puffs

Here’s what Ape have to say: “At Ape, we have cut the monkey business, making snacks with only the best plant based ingredients and tastiest natural flavours, so you can snack happy. We want to know what you and your kids think of our baked-not-fried crispy snacks – Puffs! We can’t wait to hear what you think! Love from the team at Ape x”

Testers, please give your feedback by answering the questions below as well as completing the survey we have emailed you:

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

All testers who give the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where three lucky testers will each win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[KateOxford]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? They both liked all of the flavours.
   
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? More flavours, the same as those available for other crisps like eg Walkers.
   
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Nothing, my children loved them! We w bought many a pack since!
   
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
   

Perhaps carrot, when you get my children used to love carrot stick ‘crisps’.

[cwitchard]

What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
We loved how light and fluffy they were but that they were still full of taste. They were perfect bite size shapes - perfect for little mouths. They made a perfect snack - not too filling.
I wasn’t keen on the smell of the cheese ones, it was quite overpowering, but the girls liked the taste of them. I loved the Chilli ones.
There was quite a lot in the pack so I shared a pack between the two of them and they had plenty.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
   

Maybe some ‘traditional’ type crisps.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
   

Less powerful cheese smell.
Smaller pack sizes for little ones.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
   

Maybe the use of high vitamin foods like spinach or carrot.

[Cameronandmama]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

Love that they're a healthy snack and tasty as well.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

I would love to see a salt and vinegar flavour or maybe sour cream and onion.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

Maybe more flavour options or a mutipack. Crackers would be great addition too.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Beetroot crisps or chickpea would be great!

[user1495020414]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? My child loved them but unfortunately found the sweet chilli flavour too spicy! (He’s 3) They tasted good and were a good sizeable portion.
   
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Snack bars
   
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Nothing
   
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Tomato flavour would be nice

[Authenticcelestialmusic]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? Ds 6 liked the chilli flavour. Dds4 like the texture and crunch
   
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Crisps made from other veg, peas or beans for example
   
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? The cheese were a bit too over powering for me.
   
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables. Veg crisps would be great. Also dried fruit - apples maybe.

[arktis]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? - my daughter (5 yo) wasn't a fan. She fussed about the texture being too hard. The smell of the cheesy ones was too strong for her too but for me it was, well, like cheese! I liked them though, especially the salted version, and ended up eating them myself

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? - I think snacks market is full so I would focus on making it clear to customers what makes Ape snacks different and better to other snacks. I wonder if it would appeal more to vegans than children?

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Texture - I would prefer them slightly softer. For smaller kids, big round puffs as not as good as slimmer, longer shapes i.e. sticks.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? - Veggie snacks would be amazing! Anything green - broccoli, kale, spinach - would get my approval.

[Wilberforce1]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

Everything! I wasn't too keen on the salted ones as I found them really salty but the kids and husband liked them a lot.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

Cereal bars? Oh and definitely a salt and vinegar flavour!

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

Nothing because they were great, perfect size, well packaged, healthy and with a great taste.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Fruit and veg ones? As long as the great taste isn't compromised though.

Thanks for the opportunity to taste them we all really loved them!

[Goingovertosusanshouse]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? They were delicious, really tasty and filling. Good amount in a pack.
   
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Fruit/snack bars
   
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? The sweet chilli had a bit of an aftertaste and the cheese smelled pretty strong!
   
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Fruity puffs,

[Pixiepops]

Thank you for choosing us!

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

There seemed to be quite a lot in the pack which my son particularly liked! I liked the sweet chilli flavour, while my children preferred the cheese flavour. I wasn't struck on the ready salted flavour as it didn't seem to be much different to other snacks.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

Salt and vinegar flavour and barbeque flavour would be good.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

Recyclable packaging would be great.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Fruit flavour snacks would go down well.

[babycakes1010]

Thank you for allowing us to take part in this trial.
My kids loved these snacks especially cheese ones. They loved how crunchy they were!
We would love to see salt and vinegar, meat flavour or prawn cocktail!
Loved how generous the bags were and would not change anything about them apart from more flavours
Vegetables/ fruit would be a great addition

[ulab]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? We loved the flavours and the shape. We didn’t like how little of them was in the bag.
   
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Other snacks like biscuits and bars.
   
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Make different bag size options..
   
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Nuts and coconut

[Tatiebee]

1. We enjoyed the sweet chilli snacks but the cheesy ones smelled and tasted awful. The plain ones were ok.

1. Different shaped snacks, I'm worried about giving these to younger children due to their shape. I think they could be a choking hazard.

1. The shape, flavour of the cheesy snacks.

1. Tomato,.maybe vegetable crisps such as parsnip and beetroot.

[SylvanianFrenemies]

Thanks for the snacks!

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? We all liked at least one flavour. My 3yo loved the "cheesy balls", my 8yo and I fought over the salted ones, and my DP declared the chilli ones "nae bad" (Scottish for very good). All, bar the 3yo, liked the idea of them being healthier than crisps. Nice packaging.
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? These are crying out for a Salt and Vinegar option.
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? The cheesy ones smelled so strongky , they caused me to keep checking my children's feet. So they could be a bit less pungent. I found the chilli ones to have a cheesy tang, though my partner didn't agree.
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Great that they are vegan as DD1 can't take milk. Wouldn't say no to some veg.

We will buy these when available (price depending!).

[Themadwife]

What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
Great for school lunchboxes. Good for kids with allergies. One of my children had allergies they’ve now grown out of, these snacks would be great for children with things like milk or egg allergy.
My children preferred the really cheesy puffs.
The packets are a good size, nice and bright and labelling makes them appear healthy, although I do like products with the traffic lights for nutritional information.
The lightly salted puffs were quite salty.
What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
Flavoured rice cakes or corn snacks.
If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
Less salt in the lightly salted puffs.
What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Maybe corn based snacks. Tomato or apple flavour.

[agnelcarol]

Check out my review here ->

[Blubelle7]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

We liked the sweet chilli one but salted tasted like cardboard. The cheese ones were okay but not memorable.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

Vegetable crisps, nuts and coconut based treats

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

The flavours were honestly a disaster. I would honestly go back to the drawing board

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Vegetable snacks and dried fruit snacks and bars

[mebeforeyou]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
   

DS found the cheese flavour too strong but DH and I really liked them. The smell was a bit over-powering but we did really like the cheesy flavour and the crunchiness. The shape was also a bit different.

I liked the Chilli ones but DS and DH found them too strong and ‘hot.’ Maybe if the flavouring was half the strength then they might appeal more to children.

None of us were keen on the Salted ones, even though we liked the crunchiness it just somehow didn’t taste right.

We like the natural ingredients, and the crunchiness. Packaging is also a good design but the size is too big for the volume of contents.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
   

Flavours like salt n vinegar or sour cream and chive. Different shapes or crackers with natural seasoning.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
   

Smaller packaging
More subtle flavouring

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables
   

Fruit and vegetable, particularly flavours like apple, banana, berries, sweet potato, sweet corn.

[HavingAnOffDAy]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

I loved the cheese flavour, nothing to dislike at all!

Neither of us enjoyed the chilli flavour - there was an aftertaste that we didn't like.

The salted flavour...there were about 3 puffs in each bag so I'm assuming there was a packaging error!

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

Definitely a salt & vinegar flavour. Popcorn maybe?

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

The sweet-chilli flavour. They were really promising but tasted more like scampi fries

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? I thought they were great as they are - plenty of flavour. Thanks for selecting us!

[OB1Kenobi]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?our favourite was definitely the Really Cheesy flavour. My husband liked the chilli flavour and we found the lightly salted a bit bland.
   
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Salt and vinegar flavour would be good. It’s not clear if your packaging is recyclable. If not bigger bags would be better- I prefer to buy one large bag that will last a while rather than multiple small bags.
   
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? As above.
   
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Roasted vegetable flavours would be nice- eg beetroot, sweet potato, parsnip.
   

Thank you for selecting us to try this brand- they worked well as an after school snack!

[BabyMoonPie]

1. We liked the crunch. We disliked the chilli flavour - it wasn't strong enough
   
   
2. I'd like to see a meaty flavour product
   
   
3. I'd make the bag smaller - it was quite generous
   
   
4. vegetables would be a good ingredient to use - always a help to sneak more into my toddler's diet!
   
   Thanks for letting us try these products - yum

[BlueMonday17]

1. What did you like/dislike?
   

Liked that they were crunchy, liked the cheese flavour, but thought the sweet chilli flavour wasn’t strong enough, and felt that the salted flavour was really bland.

1. What other products would you like to see?
   

Snacks with a ‘dippable’ shape, so either sticks or square/tortilla shape.

1. What would you change if you could?
   

Dial up the flavours if these are expected to be sold in the crisp aisle. If they are meant for toddlers, in the baby food aisle, I guess the flavours may be OK as they are!

1. What ingredients would you like to see used in future?
   

Maybe more herbs/spices? Sweetcorn and whole grain rice?

Sorry to be negative, I think if my kids were younger they would really like these, but they are used to much stronger flavours (eg chilli, barbecue, cheese and onion) so found these a bit bland. Thanks for the chance to try them, though!

[SaborDeSoledad]

**1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

What we liked:

The packaging and brand message were great and were a good starting point for talking about making better choices for the environment.

We enjoyed the sweet chilli flavour the most. It reminded me of Thai rice crackers and I would have loved to have tried them with a cold beer! The cheese flavour was also popular.

Texture was also pleasant.

What we disliked:

The salted snacks were boring and the children found them unappealing.

The cheese flavour, although tasty, had a very strong odour and stained fingers and clothing easily.
**

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

Some sort of cracker or rice cake thing.
**

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

The smell and staining capabilities of the cheese flavour are enough to put me off buying, so that is the main thing I would change.

As the snacks appeal to both adults and children, perhaps different sized packs? The portion size was a little much for my children. Alternatively, consider a way to reseal the pack.
**
**4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Vegetables would be good. Herbs too.

Thank you for choosing us, we enjoyed taking part.

[EllaSaturday]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

Both DS loved the cheese ones, but I found them a bit too overpowering and the smell got to me a bit. DS2 found the chilli snacks too spicy but both DS1 and me liked them. The salt one was a bit underwhelming.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

Some different flavours would be great, maybe salt and vinegar?

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

Family sized bags!

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Vegetable ones would be nice. Like carrot or sweetcorn or beetroot.

[RomaineCalm]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?

DC liked the chilli ones and the salted and said they were tasty. I liked the salted but none of us were keen on the taste (or smell) of the cheese ones.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?

A pretzel type or more crunchy snack.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

Weirdly DC said to change the packaging. They weren't keen to take them to school as a snack as they felt they would be seen as 'babyish'.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Beetroot, parsnip, peas. Something a bit more sour.

[Mummytea24]

My girls really enjoyed these except the cheesy ones as they had a very strong smell but the taste was fine. Would be good to see different shapes/sizes as balls are easy to choke on. I would like to see ingredients used like sweet potato, beetroot or carrot. Fruit flavours maybe apple would be good too.