REDCON1 is bringing classic convenience-store nostalgia into the supplement aisle through their partnership with Hostess Brands. The collaboration introduces Twinkies™ and CupCakes™ flavors of MRE Lite protein powder (and related RTD shakes), combining dessert-inspired taste with REDCON1’s whole-food protein.
What’s in the REDCON1 x Hostess Lineup?
The partnership covers multiple SKUs, but the headline items for everyday gym-goers are:
MRE Lite Twinkies™ Protein Powder
MRE Lite CupCakes™ Protein Powder
Matching MRE RTD flavors for grab-and-go
MRE Lite is framed as a whole-food-based protein—using a blend of beef, salmon, chicken, egg, brown rice, and pea protein to reduce lactose and support easier digestion compared to traditional whey-heavy.
Formula and Macros: Dessert, Not Deserted
According to product listings, each MRE Lite x Hostess serving delivers:
Around 26g of protein per scoop
A lactose-free formula built on non-dairy protein sources
A texture that aims for “milkshake-like” creaminess to match the dessert
The flavors themselves are designed to echo Twinkies’ sponge cake and cream filling, and Hostess CupCakes’ chocolate-and-cream combo—not by loading sugar, but by leaning on flavor systems layered over the MRE Lite base.
Where and When to Find It
The REDCON1 x Hostess partnership went live in early March 2025 as a multi-year deal, with the Twinkies and CupCakes flavors rolling out through:
REDCON1’s direct-to-consumer site
Key retail partners and sports nutrition stores
Specialty retailers and online supplement shops that already carry MRE
The companies have also teased seasonal and limited drops that will align with Hostess’ holiday flavors over the life of the partnership.
Why These Collabs Keep Resonating With Lifters
Dessert collabs like this succeed because they solve three problems at once:
Flavor fatigue – Rotating in a Twinkies or CupCakes tub keeps long-term users engaged.
Adherence – When a shake tastes like a favorite snack, hitting protein targets feels less like a chore.
Shelf appeal – Recognizable Hostess branding pops on crowded shelves and online thumbnails.
For REDCON1, pairing a whole-food-focused label with a decadent flavor story gives the brand a way to appeal both to hardcore supplement fans and more casual shoppers who just know Twinkies.
Final Take
REDCON1 x Hostess is another proof point that authentic snack and dessert collabs aren’t slowing down, they’re evolving. By bringing Twinkies and CupCakes into a whole-food-based protein formula, REDCON1 is betting that nostalgia plus better nutrition will win over both bodybuilders and everyday gym-goers.
If you’re already a fan of MRE Lite’s digestion and texture, these flavors are an easy way to make your next tub feel more like dessert.
Citations
“REDCON1 x HOSTESS® BRANDS Announce Exclusive Partnership to Launch Iconic Flavors in Protein Powders and Ready-to-Drink Shakes” – PR Newswire / REDCON1
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redcon1-x-hostess-brands-announce-exclusive-partnership-to-launch-iconic-flavors-in-protein-powders-and-ready-to-drink-shakes-302397095.html“HOSTESS MRE LITE Twinkies™ Protein Powder – product page” – REDCON1
https://redcon1.com/products/hostess-mre-lite-twinkies-protein-powder“Redcon1 is launching new Hostess Cupcakes and Twinkies flavors for its MRE RTD and MRE Lite Protein Powder” – Stack3d
https://www.stack3d.com/2025/08/redcon1-hostess-flavors-of-mre.html“Now In-Store: MRE Lite x Hostess” – Supplement Giant
https://thesupplementgiant.com/blogs/giantsjournal/mre-lite-x-hostess