PepsiCo adds plant protein to Quaker with new rice crisps

PepsiCo has moved Quaker further into the protein-snack race with Quaker Protein Rice Crisps, a nationwide launch built on popped rice and pea protein. The new snacks come in Chocolate Caramel and Tangy Barbecue, and each serving delivers 6 grams of protein and 9 grams of whole grains, a clear signal that the company wants a familiar crisp format to do more nutritional work on the shelf.

The launch is part of a broader attempt to make protein feel routine, not niche. PepsiCo said the crisps are gluten free, popped and never fried, and made with no artificial preservatives or flavors. That combination lets Quaker keep the easygoing, snackable feel of a rice crisp while layering in the kind of protein claim that has become central across packaged foods, from breakfast to between-meal snacking.

PepsiCo backed the rollout with consumer data from a January 2026 survey showing that 86% of Americans are adding protein to their daily diet. The company said 63% would choose snacks with added protein over regular ones, 54% prioritize protein during snacking occasions, 70% want salty snacks with protein and 65% want sweet snacks with protein. Quaker Foods marketing vice president James Wade said the company is trying to keep functional benefits and taste in balance, a challenge that now defines much of the better-for-you snack aisle.

The nutrition details reinforce that positioning. Quaker’s Chocolate Caramel product page lists a 2.6-ounce bag with about 2.5 servings per container, 130 calories per serving, 6 grams of protein, less than 1 gram of dietary fiber, 2 grams of total sugars and 160 milligrams of sodium. The page also describes the product as a popped rice-and-pea-protein snack, and the Chocolate Caramel flavor carried a 3.7-star average rating based on three reviews at the time of the crawl.

The move also fits a larger PepsiCo portfolio strategy. Quaker Protein Rice Crisps join a recent run of functional launches that includes Quaker Protein Granola Bars, Quaker Protein Old Fashioned Oats, Quaker Protein Instant Oatmeal, SmartFood Fiber Pop, SunChips Fiber snacks, Doritos Protein Tortilla Style Chips, Pepsi Prebiotic Cola and poppi Prebiotic Soda. For Quaker, the significance is bigger than one new snack line: it shows how a legacy grain brand is using protein claims to stay relevant in a market where shoppers now expect even casual snacks to pull double duty.