From food and beverage giants to emerging start-ups, innovation stretched far and wide across the plant-based category in 2024. Legacy brands debuted much-awaited plant-based versions of iconic product favourites, while smaller brands innovated with high hopes to address gaps in the market with creative new offerings.

Lets take a look at the top ten innovation launches our readers loved hearing about in 2024...

Flora Professional launches versatile plant-based ice cream mix

Flora Professional launched a versatile plant-based ice cream mix, which it says is designed to satisfy diverse dietary preferences without compromising on taste.

Created as a one-to-one replacement for traditional dairy options, the new offering boasts a smooth texture, rich flavour and indulgent mouthfeel that rivals its dairy counterparts.

Ideal for food professionals seeking to cater to a wide range of dietary needs, the ice cream mix serves as a versatile base for soft serve and gelato creations.

From classic chocolate, vanilla and strawberry to exotic stroopwafel-inspired concoctions, the mix offers plenty of opportunities for dairy-free ice cream innovation.

This introduces ‘market-first’ plant-based chicken thighs

British alt-meat company This introduced a plant-based chicken thighs product to its range, available at Tesco nationwide.

The NPD is claimed to be the industry’s first nationally distributed plant-based chicken thigh product.

Crafted from soya and fava bean protein bound together with an olive oil-based fat, the ‘thighs’ are described by the brand as ‘succulent and mouthwatering’ with a meaty, fibrous texture made possible by extrusion technology. They are coated in a seaweed layer, included to mimic the unique structure and texture of real chicken skin.

The plant-based chicken thighs can be pan-fried or oven-cooked, suitable for use in dishes such as tray bakes, curries, stews and chicken thigh burgers.

Subway expands plant-based menu with launch of The Plant Picante

Subway introduced a new vegetarian and plant-based sub, The Plant Picante, which launched nationwide in the UK on 10 January.

The Plant Picante features a spiced plant patty complemented by crispy onions, Sweet Onion and Garlic & Herb sauces, all topped with a choice of American-style cheese or Vegan CheeZe for a fully plant-based alternative. The sub is further dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.

Part of Subway’s Signature Series menu, The Plant Picante is available as a six-inch or footlong on any of Subway’s bread options. Additionally, customers can opt for a wrap or salad, offering further flexibility. Subway’s Garlic & Herbs, Sweet Onion and Teriyaki sauces are also suitable for plant-based diets.

Aldi debuts new additions to its 'biggest ever' vegan range

Aldi announced the expansion of its Plant Menu portfolio, debuting a range of new additions to what is now the retailer’s 'biggest ever' vegan offering.

Included in the brand-new for 2024 additions are Corn Dogs, inspired by the classic American fast-food staple. No Chicken Pieces, meanwhile, provide a selection of plant-based chicken wings and tenders, inspired by traditional fried chicken fast food offerings.

In the sweet snacks and desserts category, Aldi debuted the Cornetto-inspired Strawberries & Cream and Hazelnut & Praline Vegan Ice Cream Cones; while the brand-new Vegetable Fritters launched into the savoury plant-based offering, available in two varieties: vegetable tempura fritters with a black rice vinegar dip, or spicy sweetcorn fritters with a sweet chilli dip.

Dinner and lunch options include the Veggie Bites and No Salmon Slices, as well as ready meal options that include a Mushroom Bolognese and Coronation Chickpea Curry.

In its biggest-ever vegan cheese range, the new Vegan Continental Cheese Selection is available with a choice of Grated Mozzarella, a French-Style Round Camembert, Greek Salad Style Cheese or Grated Hard Cheese.

Ferrero announces plant-based Nutella's official launch

Ferrero announced the official European launch of a plant-based version of its iconic global hazelnut spread, Nutella.

Beginning its roll-out with select European markets in autumn 2024, the new plant-based Nutella debuted in a 350g jar.

According to the confectionery giant, Nutella Plant-Based delivers the same ‘unmistakable’ Nutella experience by replacing milk for plant-based ingredients such as chickpeas and rice syrup. It contains Nutella’s signature ingredients of roasted hazelnuts and cocoa, promising the original spread’s creamy texture.

7Up launches limited-edition vegan barbecue condiments

Soft drink brand 7Up unveiled an exclusive three-piece barbecue condiment range in the UK, developed in partnership with Twisted.

The collection draws inspiration from 7Up’s lemon and lime flavours. It includes a ‘Zesty Mayonnaise’, ‘Zingy Hot Sauce’ and ranch-style ‘Tangy Salad Dressing’. Each condiment, all of which are vegan-friendly, were developed to elevate UK summer barbecue occasions.

Silk unveils oat milk blend for children, Silk Kids

Danone North America’s plant-based Silk brand launched Silk Kids, an oat milk blend crafted especially for children ages five and above.

The drink was developed with pediatricians to deliver enhanced nutritional benefits for supporting growing children.

Made with a creamy oat and pea blend, Silk Kids delivers 8g of plant-based protein per serving to help support muscle health. It also offers DHA omega-3 and choline for brain health benefits, and 2g of prebiotics per serving to feed the good bacteria in the gut.

Danone said the drink also contains 50% less sugar than dairy options – 5g of sugar per cup, compared with around 11g per cup in typical reduced fat dairy milk products.

Impossible Foods launches three new lines into retail

Impossible Foods rolled out three new lines into US retail: Impossible Disney The Lion King Chicken Nuggets, Impossible Meal Makers and Impossible Corn Dogs.

The new products aim to make it easier for families to enjoy plant-based meals. The brand partnered with Disney to launch Impossible Disney The Lion King Chicken Nuggets, in advance of the new film Mufasa: The Lion King.

The product reimagines Impossible’s chicken-style nuggets into the shape of familiar Disney characters from the film, packing 10g of plant protein per serving in a quick and convenient format for kids and consumers of all ages.

Two additional new lines were also designed for convenience. Impossible Meal Makers provide a new, flavourful take on Impossible’s flagship Impossible Beef, packing the same 19g of protein per serving and zero cholesterol. They feature the plant-based ground beef in two pre-seasoned options – Taco and Italian-style – and can be cooked within minutes.

Impossible Corn Dogs feature the brand’s Impossible Beef Hot Dogs, paired with a soft corn bread exterior aiming to evoke ‘nostalgia for childhood days at the carnival or county fair’. They also contain zero cholesterol, as well as being claimed to contain 40% total less fat and saturated fat compared to an animal-based corn dog.

McDonald’s trials vegan ice cream in UK

Fast food chain McDonald’s trialled a new vegan ice cream dessert in selected restaurants across the northwest UK, ahead of a potential national launch in 2025.

Available in chocolate and strawberry flavours, the new Vegan Scoop line has been accredited as vegan by the Vegetarian Society.

Its ingredients include rice, glucose syrup, dextrose and coconut oil, alongside emulsifiers, thickeners and flavourings. Each pot of the frozen dessert contains less than 100 kcal, providing a lighter option than the chain’s dairy-based classic McFlurry desserts.

In addition to the new ice creams, McDonald’s UK introduced McFreezy, a vegan-accredited frozen ice dessert made with fruit juice and puree, available in either orange or mango and pineapple flavour.

Oatly joins forces with Malibu on piña colada soft serve

Oatly partnered with Pernod Ricard-owned spirit brand Malibu to bring a piña colada-flavoured alcoholic soft serve, 'Piña Oatlada,' to the UK.

With Gen Z consumers increasingly looking for lower alcohol alternatives and driving demand for plant-based options, Oatly and Malibu’s fun collaboration caters for this group, who may also be more inclined to experiment with flavours. The dairy-free soft serve is just 1.5% ABV and is made with oats to achieve a creamy texture.

In a special pop-up from 12 July – 2 August, guests were offered Malibu and Oatly-inspired cocktails alongside light bites and a complimentary Piña Oatlada, served in a cocktail glass-shaped waffle cone created exclusively for the partnership.