Balkan Bites shares pre-made baked filled pastries called burek in pouches that feature a mix of traditional and new flavors. The savory bites are shaped like cinnamon rolls and they're comparable to the average bagel in size, which means that they can be enjoyed as a meal. Since the pastries are stuffed, they are satiating and cook quickly in a matter of minutes in the oven or air fryer.
The brand initially started to make a name for itself by frequenting pop-up and holiday markets but shifted its entire operations online when the pandemic hit. Now, the brand ships the frozen and unbaked pastries in pouches that come in varieties like Mushroom and Goat Cheese or Chocolate Hazelnut.
Savory Stuffed Pastries
Balkan Bites Share the Taste of Flaky Burek in Frozen, Pre-Made Pouches
Trend Themes
1. Frozen Pre-made Meals - Opportunity for food industry to sell convenient and easy-to-store frozen meals with various flavors to cater to consumer demand.
2. Savory Snacks - Disruptive innovation for snack industry to create alternative options to sweet and salty snacks such as savory stuffed pastries.
3. Online Food Retail - Opportunity for e-commerce to expand its reach in providing more food options for consumers who prefer online shopping and delivery during and beyond the pandemic.
Industry Implications
1. Food Industry - Food companies can innovate and create frozen pre-made meals and snacks with various flavors to provide convenience and satisfy consumer cravings.
2. Snack Industry - Snack brands can explore and invest in creating and marketing more savory snacks to cater to the growing demand and untapped market.
3. E-commerce Industry - Online retailers can take advantage of the trend of online food retail by diversifying their product offerings and expanding their customer base beyond the pandemic situation.