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

Apologies for the following late review but I did in fact already wrote this on the blaster app, which keeps crashing when I press post.

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

DS age 3 is very wary of new food, but crisps are a favourite and he will usually try with no problems. The round shape totally threw him though, he initially wouldn't taste them, I think as he wasn't sure what they were. 'No thank you biscuits...no thank you gum drops' (no idea how he knows what a gum drop is... He's never had those either! He did however put asside his wariness once he saw his older siblings tucking in, always a copy cat. All flavours went down well, but with different children. 6 year old loved the chilli and said they tasted like 'curry and rice'. 12 year old loved the cheese, but I actually checked everyone's shoes while she was eating them, to try and work out what the heinous smell wafting through the house was while she was eating them, until I realised it was the cheese puffs! The salted were my favourite and the ones I will be most likely to but again.

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

More savoury snacks. This might be a weird suggestion but olive or houmous flavour would go down well with mine. Mine really like the sweetcorn puffs made for babies, but I wouldn't put them in their lunch box. So sweetcorn flavour too. Maybe cheese and broccoli? Flavoured breadsticks? No dried fruit snacks please.

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

I really liked the round shape when I was eating them, as they felt really nice in my mouth... However, I was concerned they were a choking hazard as they were marble size. Would like reassurance on this concern.

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Oops, answered that above! Chickpeas, olives, sweetcorn, carrot?

Thanks for letting us try!

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

We liked the look of the packet, very colourful and appealing. I really liked that they were gluten free, as I am coeliac and its handy when giving snacks to the kids that I can try them too. Having tried all 3 flavours our favourite was the cheese one. Its quite a strong flavour but we liked that. No-one liked the lightly salted one. They were actually too salty and not in a good way. The best thing about them was there was more in that packet than the other flavours! We also were not fond of the chilli ones. Quite bland. I also wasn't keen on the shape. I'd be concerned of them being a choking hazard.

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

Savoury bitesize crackers perhaps. I'd buy something like that.

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

The shape; to make it more appealing to young children who could choke easily on them. Maybe make them a baton shape, so easy to hold as well.

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

Sweetcorn is always a winner. Sweet potato too.

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

My DD (7) and DS (2) both liked these. DS enjoyed the cheese flavour the most, he has a milk allergy so it was nice for him to be able to eat the cheese flavoured option. DD liked the salted and cheese flavour, she wasn’t keen on the sweet chilli, she said they were too spicy. I quite like them though.

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

Additional flavours such as salt and vinegar, different shaped crisps, different snack options.

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

Reduce the size of the packaging, the packets were quite big for the amount of puffs inside.

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

Dried fruit, vegetables.

Thank you for choosing me to test these.

I would love to review them, but mine never got delivered. And when chasing it up,firstly got told not to worry, you'll get a new one. A week later, nothing. Chase it up again. To be told, sorry, forgot to tell you but they can't be arsed resending it.
So for that alone, I won't be buying them if I see them in store.

Q1. Liked the pack size. My children are primary school age so it was just right. The amount in each pack was good too. There are already a lot of healthier snacks aimed at the toddler market and it was nice to have older children (5-10) catered for. The cheese flavour was the favourite followed by the salted. The chilli flavour was too strong.
Q2. We would have liked a salt and vinegar flavour.
Q3.We would just like more variety of flavours.
Q4. Vegetable crisps.

Loved this so thanks for choosing us. Thanks for the canvas bag too!

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried?
Loved the flavours and textures. Calorie wise they are still, unfortunately, higher in calories than I would usually have- so could only have as a treat
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range?
Rice crackers, wasabi peas (for adults), popcorn and vegetable crisps
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?
Slightly lower in calories but other than than- nada
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?
Sweet Potato, Carrot, Beetroot, Parsnip, corn (perhaps like wasabi peas), sugar snap peas

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

My 1yo loves the cheesy ones and my eldest seemed to really enjoy the salt ones, she wasn’t keen on the sweet chilli ones but I let my friend try them and she loved them!!

I really enjoyed all but the cheesy flavours.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? I’d like to see more flavours in the crisps. Maybe some fruit too
2. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change?

Give the cheesy flavour a bit more punch.

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

Definitely more fruit based snacks, veg crisps too as my youngest loves them.

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

Crunchy and substantial, some low salt/"no nonsense" type snacks don't last my children more than a few minutes.

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

Baby snacks would be good.

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

Plastic packaging.

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

If there was some additional benefit to eating them - fibre/wholegrain/vitamins etc.

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

We enjoyed the cheesy ones, the salted puffs were a bit too plain for us. The packets may be a bit large for very young children but my daughters aged 7 & 10 could manage a whole bag.

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

We would like different shaped snacks as fun shapes appeal to younger children.

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Just be creative with shapes
2. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)?

Yes would love to see some alternative veggies thrown into the mix.

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

We liked the taste of the chilli puffs. We liked the fact that they are vegan and have natural plant-based ingredients.

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

Salt and vinegar flavour would be great. Veg crisps

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

Less packaging! The flavours weren't quite right so I would like to see a slight change to the flavours, especially the cheese version.

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

Beetroot, apple and carrots would be great flavours. Added folic acid?

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? They liked the range of flavours although I wouldn’t normally buy something for them that was listed as ‘salted’. The size of the snacks was good, quite a big bag, would have expected more in the bag so bag size could be reduced or include more and make the bag sealable

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Savoury popcorn or small crackers, maybe pea or chickpea snacks?

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

1. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Beetroot, tomato and basil, Indian spiced, rosemary, sour cream and lime

1. Love the salted ones. DD in particular s favourite. I particularly liked the chilli. Neither of us liked the cheese. They were way too overpowering.

1. Salt & Vinegar, Bovril, Carrot & Parsnip, Baked Bean flavour.

1. Slightly bigger puffs. Smaller sized packs and sharing sized packs.

1. Definitely explore any vegetable option.

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? My boy loved them. For context, I hate the small of cheese. I sat next to him whilst he ate the cheese ones and I had to move as they made me gag. They truly did smell of cheese (I can eat wotsits and other cheese biscuits normally-the flavouring on these Ape snacks is very good!!)
2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Popcorn? Fruit puffs?
3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? The packaging. It needs to be easily and fully recyclable to ddifferentiate it in the marketplace.
4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Yes, things with veg. Carrot and mint? Things like that?

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

We liked the crisps and their flavour, they had a good crunch to them, however they were a little dry.

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

Maybe something like cheese and onion flavour, as this is a favourite in my household and maybe a different style of crisp. Maybe fruit based snacks.

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

Maybe make them less dry somehow. But we did still really like them. Maybe make the “plant based” etc bigger so it’s standing out more and making buyers more aware.

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

Maybe carrot, or maybe fruit based snacks.

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

Likes: adults liked the sweet chilli flavour, although didn't think it tasted exactly like I expected. They were too spicy for our children. Dislikes: nobody liked the taste of the cheese snacks in our house. My daughter was intolerant to dairy and none of us took to vegan cheese. Dislikes: the shape and the fact they are quite hard. I was a little worried they would be a choking hazard.

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

Something completely different to what's available. My youngest DC enjoys trying new things, as do we.

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

The shape and the strength of the flavours for children's snacks.

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

Undecided, I'm not sure what benefits would remain. Maybe beetroot and/or other strong natural coloured veg to make them more appealing e.g. green/orange/red snacks in a bag.

1 chilli was too hot liked the other 2 flavours very tasty nice size for kids,2 nuts or popcorn would be great 3 make bigger bags to share,4 make with fruit popcorn carrot enjoyed trying them tasty snack

1- I love the fact that they're a healthy crisp/ snack but I didn't like the aftertaste of them, I found them inedible - the cheese flavour was particularly bad, I could really taste the coconut oil.
My 8 year old did eat them but said he didn't like them much, but couldn't say why.

2- Maybe very strong flavours to hide the coconut taste?

3- I would like to not taste the coconut oil, so maybe substitute it for another oil?

4- I think vegetables or fruit would be a good addition- appealing to parents of young children.

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

Me- I thought the salty puffs were bland and too crunchy Friend- thought the cheesy puffs were delicious Children- didn't like salty as no salty taste, cheese was nice flavour, puffs were too hard though

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

None

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

change? Not as hard and crunchy, melt in the mouth like skips please

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

I don't think we'd buy these in the future My friend enjoyed them as she is on a gluten and dairy free diet, these were great for her.

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

We loved the cheese and salted ones. My little boy is dairy free so if was amazing he was also able to enjoy them.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? I would love a BBQ or salt and vinegar!

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

I would change the shape, my little boy is 8months and we had to cut them in half, I even was cautious with Mt 4, year old and a food that shape.

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

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? My son really liked the cheesy ones and the salted ones, but found the chilli flavour too spicy. I quite liked all of them but thought they were quite salty for a children's snack and the portion was large for a small child. I'm also not sure how important them being "gluten free and vegan" is, as most potato/cornstarch puffy snacks are also both of these things.

2. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? More flavours, slightly "meltier" product.

3. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? Lower salt, maybe smaller portions.

4. What ingredients would you like to see Ape use in future products (eg the addition of vegetables)? Wider range of vegetables, maybe slightly less cheese!

Reposting my review as it was under the wrong username and I’m getting reminders:

Thanks for selecting us-family of 5 with toddler, 5yrs and 8yrs.

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

All of us loved the cheese and lightly salted flavours.
The cheese flavour was unusually cheesy which was a very welcome surprise compared to similar snacks on the market.

The chilli was more of an adult flavour -just a bit spicier than the kids like -but we loved them.

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

I really struggle to find school snacks that are healthy, low sugar and nut free (school rules) so anything that meets those criteria.

Well favoured and reasonably priced vegetable crisps/ puffs etc...

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

I would regularly buy them exactly as they are.

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

Yes, vegetables definitely, popcorn.

Loved them!

Thanks for selecting us.

1. What did you and your children like or dislike about the Ape Puffs you tried? Really liked the fact they were gluten free (am currently restricting my gluten intake). We really liked the salted ones, but we all found the sweet chilli ones too spicy.

1. What other products would you like to see in the Ape range? Not sure, other flavours, maybe?

1. If you could change anything about Ape Puffs what would you change? They were quite crunchy, so a bit off-putting to my kids, maybe making them softer?

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

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

We both liked the cheese ones, the salted were OK but bland as others have said. And the chilli ones I liked, but agree they do have a strange aftertaste.

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

Perhaps some fruit biscuits? My son loves biscuits so always on the lookout for healthier options.

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

Honestly, nothing. I was quite impressed.

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

Beetroots, broccoli, sweetcorn, carrot, maybe apple.

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

We really liked the crunch and texture. My daughter and I weren't keen on the Chilli flavour. My son quite liked it

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

I'd like to see more flavours. Salt & Vinegar and Barbecue would be great.

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

My daughter and I like Chilli flavour Sunnites, but didn't like the Chilli flavour of the Ape Snacks. It was spicier than we liked and not that nice. Also, the font on the ingredient list could be bigger.

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