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

[PrincessofPersil]

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

The children didn’t like the taste (particularly the sweet chilli flavour). They did love the packaging though, and were keen to try them.

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

Bars made from fruits etc are popular in my house.

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

I’d make the pack size smaller and the flavours milder.

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

Products based on fruit and vegetable flavours would be good.

Thank you for inviting us to test these, the kids found it very exciting!

[AdamantEve]

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

I didn’t think my children would like the subtle flavours as they are used to more strongly flavoured snacks but they enjoyed them all. I liked the coconutty aftertaste from the Chilli flavour, it reminded me of Thai crackers.
However, the smell of the cheese snacks was a bit potent and although the children liked the flavour, I couldn’t bring myself to taste them after smelling them!

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

Rice cakes are always a hit with my children so a range of those would be good. They aren’t allowed crisps in their packed lunches at school so rice cakes are usually our go-to.

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

I’d like the shape to be different, more like a wotsit, as the balls are too hard for my younger child to grasp.

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

Sweet veg would be good eg peas, sweet corn, carrots. Lots of companies jump on the beetroot bandwagon but I don’t think this is a great flavour so would like you to avoid that even though the colouring is great!

[Tasha042]

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

The cheese flavour was delicious! Tasted like real cheese. We would definitely buy them again. My 4year old loved the lightly salted flavour. She said they were so go could I buy them again for her!

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

I would love to see cheese puffs in this range as the cheese flavour is amazing.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? They were very crunchy so I worried about my toddler eating these so maybe a puff or stick shape for younger ones.
2. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? I would like you to use carrot powder or tomato powder to add some more colour and nutrition to these snacks. But overall they are brilliant. I will definitely be buying more for my 4 year old.

[Fluffyemenent]

We liked the taste and I liked the healthy light aspect of them. One kid found the sweet chilli too spicy but they both loved the others.

I found the cheese ones were very smelly though and stunk the car out so I wouldn’t by those again (but the kids liked the flavour!)

I would like a salt and vinegar flavour one if possible.

I would definitely buy these again

[f00k]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
We all really enjoyed the texture. Crunchy but light. Cheese was too strong for me but DS liked them. DD liked the salted ones but I thought the flavour a bit weak. I liked the sweet chilli but DS wasn't keen.
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
More flavours would be good. DS would eat anything BBQ flavoured!
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
Perhaps tone down the cheesy flavour and increase the salted.
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
Sweetcorn would be great. DD loves the sweetcorn rings another brand does so I can imagine she would enjoy an Ape Puffs version.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

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

• surprisingly crunchy
• the box they arrived in (the children loved it)
• flavour of the lightly salted and chilli puffs

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

• small fruit boxes
• Yougherts
• vegan pizza

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

• the cheese Puffs tasted too strong. The smell was off putting as soon as the bag was opened.

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

• things that have 3 of your 5 a day so it's easier to get goodness into your children in one meal

[Hopezibah]

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

A lot crunchier than expected - but that is a good thing! As they look puffy so expected them to taste a bit soggy but they held their crunch really well.

Loved how intense the flavour was - especially the cheesy ones! Least liked flavour was chilli only because we prefer REALLY mild stuff in this family and the slight hint of spicy was too spicy for us but others would like it i'm sure.

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

A nice big range of flavours. Perhaps healthy flavoured crackers or something similar to dairylea dunkers - my son loves those in his packed lunch but I'd prefer something healthier.

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

Just making the sweet chilli flavour a bit milder.

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

yes the addition of veg would be good. Any thing that I can trust is healthy without having the hassle would be good so I know its good to include in the kids lunches and that they will enjoy it. Overall really feel positive about these and will be looking out for them to buy in future! Do they come as multipacks at all? Perhaps mini packs popped into a multipack would be good.

[MissusMaker]

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

I really liked the texture and strong flavours. As did my youngest. My 7 year old found the flavours too strong! I was rather disappointed that they are round balls - the perfect choking size! This means that my youngest (who has development delays) couldn't safely have them in her nursery lunchbox when otherwise they'd have been perfect!

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

Similar strong, great flavours but different shapes!

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

The shape 😂

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

Don't really have strong feelings on this.

[Skyejuly]

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

We loved how they looked. I loved the chili and children enjoyed the cheesy ones.

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

Children wanted them to be monkey shape! Crackers would be good.

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

Add a salt n vinegar flavour

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

Poo beetroot or carrot would get my vote.

[torthecatlady]

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

The cheese ones were hands down a favourite here. Chilli not so much!

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

Salt and vinegar or bbq would be nice!

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

Maybe slightly smaller packets for smaller hands?

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

We've had veggie straw crisps before which were ok, like carrot etc. It would be interesting to add veggies or pulses.

[queenoftheschoolrun]

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

We like the texture, good crunch. The flavours all just missed through - the cheese was too cheesy, the salted too bland and the chilli had a strange aftertaste.

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

I like the idea of the current flavours but they're just not quite right. Maybe BBQ?

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

The taste!

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

Yes, adding veg would be a good idea or chickpea/lentil type snacks.

[LauraMipsum]

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

I tried them with DD(5) and her friend (7). Both of them wolfed down the salted ones. DD wouldn't try the sweet chilli because of the word "chilli" but liked the cheese ones.

I thought the salted ones were good. I love that these are vegan - we're vegan, and DD's friend has allergies so it is great to have a snack that I know is okay for both of them.

I liked the cheese ones. However DP came in, asked "what on earth is that smell" and on trying one announced that they tasted of feet. DD and I are not sensitive to whatever that is and thought they were good, but DP and another friend thought they were feet-y.

Sweet chilli went down well with the adults.

The packaging was attractive. We all liked the texture, they weren't soggy.

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

Maybe straw shapes, or carrot flavouring.

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

Probably the flavouring used on the cheese ones.

I'd like multipacks available for lunchboxes.

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

I'd love to try a beetroot puff, or maybe a fruit one for when DD wants something sweet and snacky but I don't want her reaching for the sugar....

[mumsbe]

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

My son.liked the cheese ones my daughter didn't like any the chilli ones were the least favourite. I liked the cheese ones because they really tasted like proper cheese, the salty ones were ok but the chilli ones had a awful after taste and I thought I would like those most.

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

Rice cakes and pasta snacks

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

The chilli ones would be sweeter and I might have some unusual ones like pea and mint or carrot and coriander

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

Ham and peasepudding flavour , pineapple flavour and sweet potatoe flavour

[weebarra]

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

I liked all the flavours, nice packaging, right amount. A friend didnt want her child to have one because of the shape.

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

Salt and vinegar, cheese and onion

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

Cheese and lightly salted were too strongly flavoured for my kids.

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

[SweetPeaPods]

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

Ds1 really liked the cheese puffs, the other packs not so much. DH was looking forward to trying the chilli ones but really didn’t like them.

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

Not sure

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

Pack size maybe, smaller for kids packed lunch.

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

Carrot or beetroot?

[cobhamhall]

1.What did you / child like/dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
My dd didn't like the sweet chilli flavour but thought the salted ok.I found they stuck to my teeth?!
2.What other products would you like to see in the range?
Sweet potato
3.If you could change anything about the puffs what would you change?
Shape..
Make the ingredients clearer on the back of the pack.
Less salt
4.What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products?
Vegan cheese?

[Frazzlesareheroes]

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

My son didn't really like the chilli flavour although that's probably more to do with his age. (He's only 4) My husband on the other hand loved them. The cheese flavour was by far the winner here, it had the strongest flavour. The texture was great for all the products.

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

Possibly a baby range of products or a multipack option.

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

Nothing in particular.

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

Maybe cheese and onion

[Macarena1990]

1. We all really enjoyed them! Tasted far better than we expected and really moreish.. liked the fact that they were decent portion size. The salted ones were the favourite, but really the cheese and sweet chilli too. I would definitely buy these again as they are a great alternative to crisps.
   

1. Would like to see salt and vinegar and BBQ flavours.
   

1. Honestly wouldn't change anything - big hit with us!
   

1. Not sure, maybe added vitamins/minerals??

[pegasus02]

Thanks very much for picking us to take part, as always :)

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
The taste was ok, but it was extremely salty, too salty for adults never mind children. I checked the salt content and it was a lot worse than e.g. Sensations. I was really shocked this product would be remotely marketed at children. The texture was also quite messy and crumby.
*

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

Perhaps different flavours, like pickled onion?
*

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

Lower salt content.
*

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

Vegetables is a fab idea. Or maybe added vitamins?

[cookiemonster66]

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

we loved that they seemed more substantial than other puff style snacks which often feel like you are eating air, and then not even fulfilled afterwards. These really did the job of filling us up, yet still healthy, very tasty, there was nothing at all we disliked, excellent product

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

salt and vinegar, spicy tomato or tomato and pesto, tomato and garlic, i would like multipacks which would be more cost effective

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? absolutely nothing they are fab, we love them and will def be buying them again

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? chickpeas, sweet potato, garlic, tomato

[Sparkles23]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? I loved them, all the flavours and thought they tasted great and the fact there is no rubbish in them really appealed. My eldest 2 kids (9 and 5) weren't that keen on them and they especially didn't like the chili flavour! My youngest (just turns 4) loved them, the chili flavour weren't his favourite but he still liked them.
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Fruit and vegetable /nut bars like Eat Natural and Nakd ie no rubbish in them. Specifically fruit/veg bars as most fruit bars are made from concentrate with loads of additional sugar- even the expensive ones - when hardly needed as plenty of sugar already in fruit!), hard to find pure dried fruit style bars, I love the Nakd range for my kids but I can't put them in my eldests packed lunch (as nuts and school is but free quite rightly so) so if there was something like that that but without nuts it would be perfect.
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Nothing really I think they are great
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Yes vegetables and fruit would be great!

[Bearfrills]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
My children loved them. They particularly liked taking them to school for packed lunch because they were different and no one else had them, having a "cool" snack is the current in-thing amongst the year threes. We all liked the salted and the cheese flavour but the sweet chilli had a strange aftertaste that was unpleasant.

2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
Wider range of flavours. Some different shapes. Fruit or sweet options.

3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
Less packaging.

4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
Addition of vegetables and also fruit.

[ifigoup]

1.What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
We all liked how crunchy they were, and I liked the fact you got so many in a bag for only 120 kcal – it felt like the bag took a decent amount of time to eat. The chilli flavour was my favourite but DC3 and DH found them too spicy.

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

Different shapes – I know they’re designed to melt easily but still I always worry about choking with small spherical things.

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

The cheese flavour was smelly and very artificial-tasting.

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

Yes, more veg would be good – maybe a green spinach flavour and a pink beetroot flavour?

[Caillou]

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

they loved the packaging and the flavours,
they did say that they felt a bit dry though and didn't go through a whole bag at once as they would with crisps.

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

multi packs, I have 3 children, so it would be easier to buy multi packs.

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

definitely the shape, i was very worried about them chocking on them.

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

blue cheese would be very nice.

[Jem80]

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

we liked that they were really flavourful and jam packed packets, my dd thought the sweet chilli was too spicy for her and I thought the cheesy ones really really smelt very cheesy

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

crackers, oat bars, fruit bars

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

I think If for adults and older kids then good amount but for younger children it was too much in packet

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

addition of veg for sure, any other animal and environment friendly sourced ingredient as opposed to something more so