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

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

The 'crunchyness and the roundness' direct feedback from the children!

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

Maybe conventional crisps*

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

We really liked the natural flavours but they were actually a bit too strong. The chilli was fine initially and then had a strong aftertaste. For children's snacks you could use less flavouring.*

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

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

My children and I loved them. My fussy toddler at a whole pack which is unusual for him.

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

Other flavours and shapes of their snacks.

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

Nothing at presents, we really enjoyed them,

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

Green vegetables? Anything healthy,

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

I really liked them, my daughter wasn’t keen on the cheese ones but loved the other two flavours, with the sweet chilli being her favourite.

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

A breadstick/cheese straw type product would be good.

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

Nothing at all.

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

Maybe a spiced tomato flavour, or cheese and leek? More vegetables would be a good idea.

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

We loved all the flavours although my DD (3) wasn’t ask keen on the sweet chilli flavour ones.

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

Salt and Vinegar flavour.

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

Nothing, but perhaps an option to buy in a multi pack so it works out a bit cheaper per pack.

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

Perhaps carrots or sweet potato.

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
The children really disliked the cheese flavour, I think the smell was far too strong and that was overpowering from the start. I loved the healthy aspect and the environmental claims but was really disappointed that one bag had about 10 crisps in and the other was full to bursting- see pic attached ! If this is consistent across the range then I would be very wary of buying these again.

2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
They taste like the ‘organic’ baby crisps (sweet corn and carrot puffs etc) so I think the next move should be rice cakes, to give a healthier snack to an older child

3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
I would have consistency across all bags and would make the cheese flavour less ‘neon orange’ all crisps should be a plain colour in my opinion

4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
I’d love something that incorporates beetroot or maybe something extra boosting like a turmeric infusion, or a mild curried crisp. Even fruity crisp flavours might be nice, like apple or fig

Forgot the pic

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

We didn't like the aftertaste of the chilli Ones but enjoyed the other flavours!

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

Biscuits/ more savoury snack type things and maybe a Beef/salt & vinegar option*

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

The nasty aftertaste of the chilli flavours! Taste synthetic*

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

Maybe more Herby types like Garlic/Thyme etc*

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

DS (11) liked them all, the DD’s didn’t like the chilli ones. I thought the cheese ones tasted artificial and the salted ones were flavourless.

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

BBQ, salt & vinegar.

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

Smaller pack sizes, and multipacks would be good too.

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

Beetroot. A sweet version, maybe apple flavour.

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

They are definitely geared to young children. I personally wasn't overly keen as I thought they had a strange texture. The kids loved them however. They loved the colours of the packets and were all keen on the sweet chilli flavour.

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

For older children and adults perhaps flavoured nuts would be good. Also, a salt & vinegar flavour.

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

The texture. I prefer crunchier snacks.

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

Dried fruit or vegetable crisps would be yum!

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

The cheese ones didn't go down well with anyone, the smell was pretty off putting and dd7 and ds2 didn't like the taste. The salt and chilli ones went down better, but I found the salt one bland, but I couldn't stop eating them.. very more ish!

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

Different flavours and a cheese flavour that isn't so artificial tasting.

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

We really didn't enjoy the cheese flavour.

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

Vegetable crisps would be a good idea and I like the idea above about sweet flavours like Apple.

1- They liked the fact that the pack was actually full of crisps not half air like a lot of other types.
The cheese flavour smells too strong. DD 12 took them to school and her panel of reviewers said they smell like cheesy feet...
Two of the kids and both me and DH liked the chilli ones the other two found them too spicy.
Two liked the plain everyone else thought they tasted bland.

2- salt and vinegar or prawn cocktail.

3- tone down the cheesy smell! Smaller packets.

4- Id like some different flavours as stated in 2.

Thanks for choosing us , the dc took their roles as reviewers very seriously 😊

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

Neither me or my husband enjoyed the "cheese" flavor the kids loved them though - my stepdaughters friend has a dairy allergy so it was nice to know we had a suitable snack for her when she came over to play. We all really enjoyed the sweet chilli flavor and fought over the last bag, the lightly salted were good, nothing special though.

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

Salt and vinegar would be nice, my husband thinks a curry flavor would be good.

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

I think for a snack aimed at children the packs are pretty big, the kids split a bag between them for lunch so smaller bags in a multipack would be really good for lunchboxes

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

It would be good if their was a protein addition to the snack, dried edemame mixed with the puffs or the addition of chickpea flour etc.

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

Really liked the flavours, so often kids snacks are like cardboard or polystyrene and have all the joy of a snack sucked out of them, I would buy these for the whole family, DP liked them too. Personally I was sceptical at the coconut-based thing but didn't taste anything coconutty At all. Our favourite flavour was the sweet chilli hands down.
I liked that it felt like a proper treat and reminded me of other less healthy maize snacks but without the guilt

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

More flavours! Perhaps a smoky paprika/bbq or salt and vinegar

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

My 7 month old (although I know wasn't the target audience!) found the shape a bit fiddly and they rolled everywhere when we had a spillage but this is so minor it's not even really a thing.

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

Not anything I can really think of to be honest, I don't know if there's a potential to experiment with fruit flavours!? Might be a bit weird.

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

Nothing really to dislike, apart from packets were quite hard to open. Also they seem to be half empty! Liked the flavours but my daughter said the sweet chilli ones were too spicy.

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

More flavours. Some fruit crisps would be nice.

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

Make the salty ones saltier, or salt and vinegar flavour. Maybe the shape of them. Seeing as they are aimed at children a more 'fun' shape would be better. Like monster munch or Pom bears.

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

Yeah some hidden veg would be good. Or even fruit crisps!

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

Kids loved the cheese ones. One child liked the salted ones and one found them boring. They are too young for spicy, but my favourite was the sweet chilli, will definitely buy again. I liked the calories clearly on the packet, but they were quite big. Definitely a sharing bag.

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

Savoury or low sugar with no artificial sweeteners

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

Salt content is high for something aimed at children. This needs to be reduced for me to consider giving them as a regular snack.

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

I don't think vegetables would make it healthier, this is still very processed snack food. Adding 2% kale to something that is only eaten in small amounts and covered in salt hardly makes it healthier.

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

The smell of the cheesy puffs in a car was off-putting! DD found the sweet chilli "hot" but I liked them very much. Both DC enjoyed the cheese (despite the pong) and the lightly salted varieties.

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

Maybe puffs that aren't ball shaped but more disc-like. Pretzel type snacks DH would like anything that is low salt - not necessarily the same as lightly salted.

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

As PP's have mentioned, them being solid ball shapes I felt was a worry as they didn't dissolve and I worried that children might choke on them.

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

Sweet vegetable flavours - beetroot, parsnip etc.

1. Generally we all liked them (kids and adults) with good flavours (although we found the 'lightly salted' just a little bit bland and too lightly salted for our taste. DD favourite was really cheesy (she's a huge fan of wotsits).

2.. All in agreement that we'd like a salt & vinegar flavour!

1. Packaging as mentioned by other testers was too big for the product - I get that the air protects it and limits damage but in this day & age we all need to be a bit more eco...

1. Always up for the addition of healthy foods being sneaked in! Carrot tends to be an easy sneak in option but maybe I'd like to see some beans/pulses for a bit of extra protein.

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

Really liked the texture and the way they "crinkled on the tongue" (DD1). Both the lightly salted and the sweet chilli ones were popular but it was felt that the cheese ones were too cheesy.

As a parent, I was unimpressed with the marketing of them as healthy snacks when there are more calories in a packet of these than there are in a lot of other crisps. I also gave my DCs lessons in marketing as I had to point out that saying they are "plant based" doesn't mean that much given that crisps are also plant based!

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

DD1 would like to try a smoky bacon flavour and DD2 would be interested in salt and vinegar as well as prawn cocktail.

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

The amount of cheese on the cheesy ones. And the sweet chilli ones could maybe do with a tiny bit less chilli.

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

Carrots, sweetcorn.

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

We loved the packaging it was very bright,bold and eye catching.
We dislike the amount which was in the packet as it was only filled less than halfway and the flavour was lacking.

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

We would like to see sour cream and onion flavour

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

More crisps to be in the packet and more stronger flavour

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

Sweetcorn and tomato

I keep trying to fill out my survey but it keeps deleting some of my answers therefore I cant complete it

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

We liked the salted and sweet chilli flavours, although I can see that some children might find them spicy. The cheese ones were twho overpowering.

My husband found them very very dry.

One child also commented that they were like baby snacks - organix type snacks.

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

Wider range of flavours.

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

Salt seems quite high.

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

Nothing really, my children have a varied diet so a snack can be a 'treat'.

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

We really like the idea of the natural ingredients. However, apart from my DH, everyone found the sweet chilli too spicy, the cheese was too strong and the salted was too plain. We sound a bit like Goldilocks!! They were a good idea, but I think they need to sort the flavours out.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Perhaps flat crisps, or tubes?

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

The price - very expensive for such a small bag, and the flavours.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Carrot, salt and vinegar, BBQ, sweet and salty.

Thank you for choosing us, we did really enjoy trying them and having a proper tasting session at dinner.

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

Cheese ones over powering flavour put off two of the kids from even trying. The third liked them. I thought they had a strange taste. Salted ones not eaten by anyone as too tasteless. Chilli ones were not great.

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

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

Flavour, smell and texture. Packaging is grownup but designed for kids. So hard to work out who they are targeting.

1. What vegetables? Only ones which would enhance the flavour.

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

The children liked the cheesy and lightly salted flavours, the adults like the sweet chilli. It was a good pack size and great to have a snack that the kids enjoy that is healthier than similar crisps and snacks.

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

Other flavours, especially salt and vinegar. It would also be good to have biscuits or other nibbles as well as the puffs.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Nothing, the children really liked them.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Fruit in a biscuit range, or more hidden veg in the savoury snacks.

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

We liked the design of the packaging although the bags could have been smaller.
My son and I liked the chilli ones, he refused the cheese ones but my daughter said the cheese were her favourite. I wasnt that keen on the cheese flavour although for a vegan snack it isn't too bad.

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

Some crackers or other savoury snack.

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

Less packaging.

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

Peas or sweetcorn, maybe even beetroot as that could give some fun colour!