As consumer demand for ready-to-eat and heat-and-serve options continues to grow, supermarket operators are increasingly turning to high-quality appetizers to elevate their perimeter offerings. Ajinomoto’s premium appetizers, with their bold flavors and convenient preparation, present an ideal solution for deli counters and prepared foods sections. These appetizers not only meet the demand for trendy, global flavors but also provide an opportunity for cross-merchandising with sauces, dips, and other accompaniments. By incorporating these buzz-worthy appetizers into their supermarket perimeter, operators can attract more customers and drive repeat purchases.

According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), consumers are craving foods that stimulate their taste buds with sophisticated levels of hot, spicy, sweet, and savory. The NRA adds that elevated bar snacks are satisfying these consumers’ cravings.

Appetizers from Revel Eats^® rise to the challenge on every level, offering premium bites ideal for almost any daypart with flavors like creamy guacamole, and savory cheese blends. Quick to prep and easy to upscale for higher check averages, these buzzworthy appetizers give operators what they need and consumers what they crave.

They also feature superior hold times for takeout and delivery! According to Datassential, pickup and delivery across foodservice and retail are here to stay, with adoption levels well above where they were prior to the pandemic.

A Fresh Spin on Chips and Guac

With chips and guacamole on 70% of ethnic menus*, it’s an easy decision for operators to add this popular flavor combo to their offerings. Guacamole Bites from Revel Eats® put chips and guacamole all in one bite, featuring smashed avocados, diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, and lime juice in a breaded, crispy tortilla chip coating.

Bite Sized Bliss with a Latin Twist

Revel Eats^® Horchata Bites offers an elevated dessert experience with a crispy, oat breading and cream cheese with traditional horchata flavors of rice flour, cinnamon and vanilla, this trend-forward treat adds Latin flavor to any dessert menu. Serve on its own or with a sweet caramel, chocolate, or coconut cream dipping sauce for buzzworthy bliss.

Make Potatoes Pop

Up 146% on menus over the past four years*, loaded tots are an incredibly popular appetizer. Queso Loaded Tots from Revel Eats^® take that concept to a new level, featuring a blend of queso fresco and other savory cheeses, jalapeño peppers, and bacon in a crispy tortilla chip coating. Pair with chipotle ranch, jalapeño cheddar sauce, or apple cheddar chutney for a simply delicious treat.

Classic Italian Flavor in Every Bite

Revel Eats’ new Arancini Bites are inspired by a beloved Sicilian street food consisting of a ball of rice, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and peas, coated in breadcrumbs and fried.

With the growth of arancini on U.S. menus (up 11% since 2020)*, forward-thinking manufacturers like Ajinomoto Foods are switching up the flavors in these craveable bites, using ingredients like creamy cheese blends and mushrooms to deliver the popular umami flavor profile.

Most commonly found in fine and casual dining restaurants in the Italian, pizza, and American segments, arancini have grown an impressive 140% over the past 10 years on U.S. menus. And it doesn’t stop there — these savory bites are expected to continue experiencing strong growth in coming years. Arancini ranked in the 98th percentile for future growth potential, and are predicted to outperform 98% of all other foods, beverages and ingredients over the next four years!*

Features of Revel Eats’ chef driven Arancini Bites include:

• Smaller bag size (2#) for less waste and easier storage
• Menu versatility — can be used as an appetizer, side, or topper
• Quick and easy prep, translating into labor savings for any operation
• Superior hold time for takeout/delivery friendly dining options
• Lacto-ovo vegetarian for customers with special dietary needs
• Great for upscale casual operations, sports bars and brew pubs, and funky chic independents

The Two New Flavors Include:

Five Cheese Arancini Bites

The ultimate comfort food, these buzzworthy bites feature a rich, craveable filling that includes a unique blend of five savory cheeses, authentic Italian herbs, and a crispy coating. Five Cheese Arancini Bites are great served as a standalone appetizer with marinara sauce, as a replacement for croutons on a salad, an upscale topper for salads and sandwiches, or dressed up for a gourmet shareable starter.

Mushroom Herb Arancini Bites

Offering an on-trend flavor, these gastropub-inspired Arancini Bites are stuffed with rice, diced portobello mushrooms, a creamy cheese blend, and a unique porcini flavor profile that provides a natural umami bite, all coated in a crispy, authentic Italian herb breading. Like other Revel Eats appetizers, these bites are versatile enough to be served as a simple quick-prep starter, a premium side dish, a topper for soups and salads, and more!

Ideal for a wide variety of operations, our new Arancini Bites offer on-trend flavor, unbeatable versatility, and incredibly easy prep — not to mention the authentic Italian flair customers crave.

*Datassential