29 Aug 2024
Size matters! The craze for bite-sized treats and mini desserts is taking off. The perfect portion trend is a reflection of the evolving preferences of modern consumers. As people become more health-conscious, they still don’t want to give up the indulgence of bakery snacks and patisserie treats. Now, there’s a growing market for small delights that deliver flavor, convenience and variety. Find out where this trend stems from and what innovations you have to make to meet these changing consumer needs.
Through analyzing online consumer data with advanced semantic AI technology, we’ve found that ‘perfect portion’ is one of the biggest trends in the bakery, patisserie and chocolate industries. We see the number of online searches and conversations around small, individual-sized treats growing among German, French and Portuguese consumers. The trend will spike in the English and Chinese-speaking world in 2025, with predicted growth rates of 18% and 16% respectively. Datassential also spots the mixed dessert plate taking over restaurant menus again: in 2023, this dessert featuring multiple small portions was featured 37% more often, which continued to be prominent throughout 2024.
Why consumers are embracing smaller portions
The rise of the perfect portion trend is driven by several key consumer preferences:
- Guilt-free indulgence
Consumers today are more health-conscious than ever, but they still want to indulge in their favorite snacks. According to our Taste Tomorrow global consumer survey, 65% of consumers prefer not to compromise on taste and occasions and would rather consume less or go for smaller portions. Sweet treats are seen as part of a healthy, balanced diet. People want to enjoy the flavors they love without the guilt of overeating, making small portions the perfect solution.
- Variety and dietary personalization
The days of one-size-fits-all desserts are over. The number of consumers with specific dietary needs is ever-increasing, making it more difficult to come up with a single option that fits everyone's needs, from plant-based and gluten-free to halal and nut-free. Single-serve portions allow for maximum personalization, both in terms of diet and portion size. Because smaller treats also allow consumers to sample multiple flavors without committing to a single large dessert. This makes sharing a variety of mini treats a popular option for social settings.
- Convenience and on-the-go lifestyles
In a fast-paced world, convenience is king. Small, individually wrapped snacks cater to the on-the-go lifestyle of modern consumers. Whether it's a busy professional grabbing a quick bite between meetings or a parent looking for a treat to pack in a lunchbox, these perfectly portioned snacks are easy to grab and offer some joy during a busy day.
- Special occasions and celebrations
Many couples are swapping out the traditional wedding cake for a dessert table filled with many different sweet treats to choose from. The long table filled with single-serving baked goods, chocolates, desserts and sometimes candy is also a popular choice for birthday parties, corporate events and holiday celebrations. Not only does the visual variety and quantity of foods look great, it is also an easy way to offer something for everyone, from picky eaters to health enthusiasts and from colleague with lactose intolerance to little niece that dislikes fruit. Small treats offer an elegant and convenient serving option that allows guests to enjoy a variety of flavors.
Perfect portion success stories
There are many examples of pastry chefs and bakers who owe their success to their adaptation of the perfect portion trend. Chef Fabio Viviani's JARS concept, for instance, is a shop that offers beloved desserts in small single-serve jars. With flavors like Banana Cream Pie and Gluten-Free Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake, JARS appeals to both traditional dessert lovers and those with specific dietary needs. They offer variety boxes with multiple flavors for delivery, which are especially popular around holidays. For Mother’s Day and Easter JARS creates special-themed dessert glasses. There’s even a US Independence Day option in red, white and blue – the colors of the USA flag.
Baked by Melissa has mastered the art of bite-size cupcakes. These colorful and tiny cupcakes come in a range of tastes and decorations and are a hit at parties and gatherings. There are birthday packs with 100 different flavored cupcakes, sets of blue and pink treats for baby showers and packs that are vegan, gluten-free or peanut-free.
Four ways to make the perfect portion trend work for your brand
The shift to compact, handy treats presents a golden opportunity for patisseries and bakeries, both small-scale and industrial. Do you wish to innovate your assortment to meet these changing consumer needs? Then there are a few strategies to consider:
Cater to dietary preferences: make sure you’re offering plant-based, gluten-free and allergen-friendly options.
Offer added benefits: seduce health-oriented shoppers with options that are low-calorie, high protein or fiber-rich.
Emphasize sustainability: smaller portions mean less waste. Highlight the sustainability benefits of your perfectly portioned products to resonate with eco-minded customers.
Create themed celebration sets: curated collections for weddings, birthdays or holidays are perfect for events and gift-giving.
3 viral flavor profiles for the bakery, patisserie & chocolate industry
Ready to capitalize on the perfect portion trend? Find out what flavors to use for your tiny treats with our detailed market insights into consumer taste preferences.
