These are the best new innovative food and beverage products made with honey. Each of these lucky 12 products and product development teams earned a Queen’s Choice Award for showcasing the versatility of honey as a sweetener, flavor, functional ingredient and the product’s positioning in the marketplace.
Crispy Peanut Butter & Berry Layers + Crispy Peanut Butter & Chocolate Layers, Perfect Bar
Perfect Bar took the love of nostalgia mixed with something new and created this deliciously appealing blend of honey, peanut and cashew butter and 100% mixed berry fruit spread.
Grains Almighty Gut Balance, Arnold Premium Breads, Oroweat and Brownberry
One of the largest bakeries in the U.S. has done it again with a honey-sweetened bread marketed toward gut health. Gut Balance is baked to unlock natural goodness of diverse and nutrient-rich whole grains.
Simply Honey Nut Bread, Base Culture
Honey iconography shines through with Base Culture’s Simply Honey Nut Bread. It’s a childhood favorite we know and love, but with new, simple, keto- and paleo-friendly ingredients like flaxseed.
Uncured Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen
The hot honey craze continued through to entrées, and the popularity of pizza is unparalleled. Combine the two and you have a thin and flaky croissant inspired crust with uncured pepperoni and hot honey drizzle.
Zucchini and Carrot Waffles, Evergreen
One of the most innovative made-with-honey entrées of the year, Evergreen’s Zucchini & Carrot Waffles are reminiscent of a slice of zucchini carrot cake. They’re made from scratch with honey and real veggies — a breakfast staple reimagined.
Simply Honey Upcycled Oat Protein Cereal, Seven Sundays
The name says it all. A modern take on a traditional classic, Simply Honey is sweetened with a touch of wildflower honey, toasted in coconut oil and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Innovative upcycling takes this cereal to the next level, using upcycled oats in the gluten-free product.
Tiny Toblerone, Mondelēz International
One of the leading confectionery brands in the world, Toblerone has done it again with a chocolate and honey product that reawakens the taste buds. The triangular shape and unmistakable packaging are iconic features of the premium brand.
Honey Gummies, Rbel Bee
We’ve been searching for a honey-sweetened gummy on the market, and Rbel Bee released a delicious tasting, all-natural treat. With flavors like Wild Child Cherry and Poma Punch, consumers can enjoy a sweet snack with less guilt.
Sriracha Honey Ginger, Brianna’s Marinade
Combining honey, sriracha and zesty ginger creates an explosion of unique flavors in this marinade. The iconic honey dipper is front and center on Brianna’s Marinade, dripping with mouthwatering honey.
Harvest Snaps Selects Honey Dijon, Calbee
Permissible indulgence in a snack packed with protein, thanks to navy beans baked to epic sweet, savory and spicy perfection. The honey dipper is also showcased on the packaging, a nod to the all-natural sweetener used.
Wildflower Honey Salmon Jerky, UFisheries
Honey jerkies are nothing new, but a honey salmon jerky? That got our attention. UFisheries’ fun packaging encloses 100% wild-caught Alaskan salmon jerky infused with wildflower honey. It’s a great-tasting product that is an excellent source of protein and omega-3s.
Hibiscus Ginger Ale, Sparkling Mint Lemonade, Sparkling Jalapeno Limeade, Fresh Fizz Sodas
Sweetened with honey and made with natural juices, fresh herbs and spices, Fresh Fizz Sodas are made with all real ingredients and nothing artificial, a rarity in the soda category.
This year’s submissions were announced via livestream on @Honey4Pros on Instagram.