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

[EmberRainbow]

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

Adults liked the chilli (although bit strong) and salted flavour best. Kids didn’t like the cheese which surprised me, they said the flavour wasn’t like cheese !? And chilli was to strong for them. They didn’t like the salt taste of lightly salted either. Packet content size was good. Size/shape was an issue as bit of a choking hazard as product rather hard in texture.

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

Different flavours like salt and vinegar perhaps and maybe different shaped snack for younger ones (hoops?) or maybe rice cakes

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

Size I guess, they were too small/hard to give to the kids really (choking hazard) so although we let them try them for the test I wouldn’t currently buy them due to this sadly

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

Like others have suggested perhaps fruit. I like things with plenty of protein in which can be tricky to find

[sharond101]

My kids loved the big box they came in and the branding. They felt very important. I liked the low sugars salt and vegan claims as my Daughter has a dairy allergy.
We didnt like the texture. It was like the padding you get in delicate parcels and the tastes weren't quite right. The cheese flavour was too strong, lightly salted too bland and sweet chilli tasted off.
We wouldn't try any other flavours as the texture is not for us but other low sugar vegan snacks would be welcome like fruit snacks or chewy sweets and nibbles. To improve the texture needs to be more crisp and the flavours more in balance. We would like to see fruits used in the range and perhaps some beans.

[Astro86]

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

I was surprised at the salt content and a bit hesitant size/shape wise as a choke hazard for my 3 year old. My 8 year old loved the salty ones (the rest of us were lucky to get one puff to sample!). The chilli were too spicy for the children, i quiet liked them but the taste took some getting used to, it was almost Thai curry like. The cheese ones were disliked by all, there just wasn’t enough umph to the cheesy flavour (we like a strong cheddar in this house!). We all liked the baked crispness.

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

Salt and vinegar!

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

Lower salt content
Feed back from kids “where’s the ape?” Lack of primates after seeing the name in the box was a let down! 🤣

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

Carrots, corn, some naturally sweet versions might be interesting?

[Cakeweek]

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

My dairy free son (who loves Violife and other non dairy cheese) hated the cheese flavour and I have to agree.
I loved the sweet chilli, he found it too spicy
We all enjoyed ready salted

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

Salt and vinegar or BBQ flavours

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

The size and shape meant my 14 month old couldn't have them unless I cut them in half so to be honest they aren't 'change bag' snacks for us as that has to suit both children
Could the packs be resealable? They're quite big and I had a clip it on it at home but if were out and about, a seal sticker would be helpful

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

Veg like sweet potato maybe?

[bluenoir]

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

The cheese ones had a coconut aftertaste that lasted for ages, which ruined the cheese flavour. Otherwise they'd have been like nice wotsit style snacks. They did make the dog throw up though. The lightly salted ones needed vinegar as they had a nice texture but flavourless, no coconut aftertaste though. None of us like sweet chilli flavour.

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

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? The aftertaste of the cheese ones
2. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? The texture is just right, don't change it no vegetable in the form of a crisp is going to be healthy!

[Wisteria1979]

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

Everyone loved the cheese one- full of flavour and tasted like a treat. The salted one did have quite a nice coconutty flavour coming through but sweet chili wasn’t really going down well - too spicy for 5 year old and too artificial for grown ups. 6 yo scoffed down though.

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

Onion or bbq for the puffs. Maybe a sweet puff range ?

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

Personally make them a bit bigger but appreciate if they are to appeal to toddlers etc then small is better.

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

If using veg something a bit more interesting. Seaweed, beetroot

[InspectorAlleyn]

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

Five of us tried the snacks: DS2 (3) DS1 (6) DD (9) plus me and DH. We all liked the flavours - the cheese ones were a favourite of the children and I really liked the salted ones. I am vegan and DD (9) is vegetarian, so it was nice to find a snack that we could all eat and enjoy, rather than having to buy several different options. The carbon neutral factor also appeals to me.

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

A BBQ flavour would be great. Cracker-type snacks also go down well here so they would be a good addition to the range

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

Compostable packaging would really complement the fact that the snacks are vegan and carbon neutral.

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

Sweetcorn/peas and pulses would be great.

[MrsMoggy]

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

Son loved the salted ones. Cheese ones smelt horrible And tasted processed. Sweet chilli had a funny aftertaste and were too spicy for my 7 year old.

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

A sweet option such as rice cakes. Bbq or salt and vinegar flavour balls.

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

The aftertaste of the crisps, they tasted chemically

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

More middle ground in terms of flavour.

Thank you for selecting us

[BadlyArrangedToasties]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? They loved the cheesy puffs and the sweet chili but found the lightly salted ones too plain.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Salt and vinegar puffs, tomato puffs, veggie straws,

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Nothing - they were great, but the lightly salted were (according to my kids) boring.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? more veggies would be good and fruit as well.

[WreckTangled]

1. My children loved the flavours and the fact that I allowed them to have a whole packet each instead of having to share a pack like they usually do. I allowed a pack each as I didn’t consider them to be as unhealthy as other crisps.
   

1. Maybe some savoury crackers?
   

1. Maybe smaller packets? They’re quite large.
   

1. Not sure. I consider things like this to be eaten occasionally rather than daily so was happy with them as they were really. Always good to have extra veg though.

[Wetdogloveshubert]

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

DD liked the packaging of these as soon as she saw them; the bright colours are appealing without being overly toddler-focused, and the imagery is similarly more appealing to slightly older children.

The flavours were all enjoyed by DD, being mild enough to not upset a spice-averse child. The cheese ones smelled awful to the adults in the house, very synthetic, but DD loved these too.

The packet sizes are just right for my 6 year old, providing enough of a snack to tide her over before dinner. They may be too big for toddlers but the packets would easily be sorted with a clip.

DD didn't dislike anything about these, and I would be happy to buy these. They make a nice change from overly-toddlerish snacks.

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

I'm not sure!

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

More of a connection to apes! There's not much public sense in naming the product after a creature then not making any progress towards supporting them.

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

Vegetables would be a great addition.

[BabySocksNeverStayOn]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
Liked: Amount in the packet. The crispiness. The texture.
Disliked: All the flavours:
Sweet chili: not one of my 3 boys like this one. It had a distinct aftertaste and there wasn’t the ‘kick’ you usually get with other sweet chili flavoured products. It was hard to even imagine that Sweet Chili was involved in the flavouring at all.
Salted: Very boring. No flavour – maybe add some pepper?
Cheese: The worse one. Horrible smell greeted you as you opened the packet. The cheese taste was far too strong . I imagine sweaty trainers taste like this!

2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
Salt and vinegar, cheese and onion, BBQ flavour crisps

3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
The existing flavours (sorry)

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

[tinkerbellvspredator]

1. Liked shape, size, texture. Kids liked the salted flavour but not the other flavours. I didn't like any of them.
2. The kids like the 'baby crisps' that are available like sweet corn flavour, carrot or tomato flavour
3. The flavour/aftertaste
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Yes vegetables would be good.

[AllNewThings]

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

The DC really liked them. The taste, texture and packaging appealed to them.

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

Some sort of cracker type thing.

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

Nothing.

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

Herbs and spices. Root veg maybe?

[CrumblyMumbly]

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

Kids liked the portion size as there were loads in a bag. Kids both hated the sweet chilli as said they were too spicy but no problem for adults. Everyone loved the cheese flavour and salted.

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

Maybe a healthy bar - fruit/nuts/seeds - gluten free please

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

More choice of flavours. maybe smaller portion size for smaller kids. Compostable packaging.

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

Red pepper and kale
Tomato and basil
Butternut squash and spinach
Good old cheese and onion

[Bellabluetwo]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? I was extremely surprised how tasty they were. My 4 year old enjoyed the shape of the snack and loved the flavours.
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Bars, after school fruit snacks. Crackers.
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? I think I can see why the price is what it is but I would be unlikely to buy a bag at that price
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Tomato, carrot, butternut squash.

[lolly2010]

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

We didn't like the sweet chilli ones as the tasted more peppery that
chilli. My son didn't like the heat
My son liked the texture and size
He didn't like the salted variety
I felt the salted variety need something else, they were very bland
My son and I both like the cheesy ones though he said he couldn't eat a whole packet.

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

We would like to see a salt and vinegar or cheese and onion flavour or another vegetable flavour.
May be a stick variety

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

I think the salted needs to have more flavour, the sweet chilli ones are an acquired taste but if they were sweeter they would be nice

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

Carrots, tomatoes, and other ve or possibly a fruit option.

[ponygirlcurtis]

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
I really liked the simple but bold branding. Massive box for just 6 packets though!
I tried the chilli ones as I knew my son wouldn't like even a tiny bit spicy. I really enjoyed them - lots in the packet, I was surprised at how substantial a snack it was, I was expecting them to be filled with air but they were quite solid. Loved the chilli flavour. However the other flavours didn't go down that well with my son and he left half of the cheese ones - I tried them and felt they had an odd tang to them. He then refused to try the lightly salted ones so that was my job too - frankly they didn't taste of much at all so without flavour it wasn't a nice snack experience.

2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
Some more tasty strong flavours - bacon, beefy, as well as veggie flavours like sweetcorn, carrot, red pepper.
Maybe different shapes - do they have to be balls?

3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
The salted ones were not pleasant.
From the survey it suggested 80p per bag - I would be more interested in how much a multipack would be. Anything over £1.75 for six bags would rule it out for me.

4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
Vegetables definitely. Maybe fruit flavours too for sweet versions?

[polkadotpj]

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

Youngest not keen on the salted but eldest loved them all and loved throwing them in the air and catching in his mouth, though I suspect this wasn’t the aim for the design

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

Salt and vinegar pkeas

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

Maybe a touch less salt on the salted ones as they were very salty

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

All in all loved trying them as a nice alternative to crisps seen as a treat too which made them a bit more special - thank you!!

[BinkyBam]

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

Taste of the sweet chilli and lightly salted was lovely. The cheese was too overpowering and lingered on my two year olds clothes for a long time.

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

Salt and vinegar would have been good to try.

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

More crunchy than I expected, I assumed more of a wotsist type consistency and I think I would have preferred. The package was quite tough to open. A bit less of the cheese flavour.

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

Carrot or sweet corn would be good! My 2 year old likes these type of snacks

[Rufus27]

rvey we have emailed you:

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

Loved everything about them apart from the taste of the chilli ones. I particularly liked the fact they are mess free(ish!).

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

Salt and vinegar or sour cream and onion flavours would be great. As would perhaps flavoured breadsticks or some type of chewy, healthy bar.

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

I was initially worried about the shape, but our two year old was fine with them and they seemed to meet in her mouth, so not a problem.

I would definitely buy them in the future, but would prefer the option of a six pack containing smaller individual bags.

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

Additional of ‘hidden vegetables, or else some fruity flavours eg blue berry would be nice.

[palarvapea]

1. My children liked the cheese snacks the best. The sweet chilli were too spicy for them and neither of them liked the lightly salted ones. I tried the salted ones and they had a funny artificial taste to them.
2. Salt and vinegar or cheese and sour cream.
3. Choice of more flavours that are kids favourites or targeted towards children, prawn cocktail, salt and vinegar for example.
4. More vegetables would be good. Perhaps cheese and sweetcorn flavour or cheese and broccoli.

[Mandatorymongoose]

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

The texture was good, crunchier than I expected. DS liked the bright packets, they caught his eye straight away.

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

More flavours, especially salt and vinegar (DS called the salted "salt and vinegar with no vinegar")

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

They weren't super easy for DS to open.

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

We really like vegetable crisps and any way to get more veg in is a bonus.

[SillyMoomin]

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

We liked the crunch - and it didn’t “stick your teeth” in the way that other similar puffed snacks such as Cheetos or those French sticks crisps can.
Flavours were strong which is always preferred in the Moomin house!

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

Maybe some savoury nut bars

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

Just the size, a little bigger and the family could all share

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

Vegetables would be a great idea. I’d like some more unusual flavours, like seaweed or or soy

[foobio]

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

We all liked the texture, nice and crispy.
Neither of my children (3y6m &15m) liked any of the flavours. I liked the sweet chilli though.
I found all three flavours too salty, I couldn't finish a packet.
The bags were too big for my daughter to eat them all, and they went chewy when saved for three next day even when sealed, so smaller packs would be better for the younger market.
The shape was a bit tricky to eat for my 15m old.

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

Other bases eg maize

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

Lower salt

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

Other bases e.g. maize, vegetables