If you're seeking culinary inspiration, there's no better starting point than social media, particularly TikTok. This video-sharing platform is brimming with inventive cooking tips, original recipes, and innovative takes on beloved dishes. In the previous year, TikTok witnessed a surge of viral food trends, such as cloud bread, baked oats, and charcuterie boards.
This year, a fresh wave of recipes has taken over the social media realm, accumulating countless views, likes, and comments. These trends encompass a wide array of categories, ranging from snacks and desserts to beverages. Despite being only halfway through 2023, this year has already witnessed a plethora of captivating recipes that have created quite a stir. Let's delve into the seven most significant viral food trends that have made waves on the internet thus far.
1) Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Yogurt Clusters:
Cookbook author and KaleJunkie founder Nicole Keshishian Modic shared her recipe for these delightful snacks, which quickly gained popularity on TikTok. The clusters involve coating chopped strawberries in yogurt, freezing them, and then dipping them in a mixture of melted chocolate and coconut oil. Social media users have put their own spin on the recipe by adding honey to the yogurt or experimenting with different types of chocolate.
2) Fruit Roll-Up Ice Cream:
This unique frozen treat caught people's attention due to its unconventional combination of ice cream and Fruit Roll-Ups. TikTok user Golnar Ghavami introduced the concept by wrapping ice cream in a Fruit Roll-Up, resulting in a satisfying crunch. The trend quickly gained traction, with numerous social media users creating their own versions using various flavors of ice cream and Fruit Roll-Ups.
3) Cottage Cheese Ice Cream:
This protein-packed frozen dessert gained popularity after content creator Lainie Kates shared her recipe for strawberry cheesecake cottage cheese ice cream. With only four ingredients—cottage cheese, a sweetener, strawberries, and crushed graham crackers—users began experimenting with different flavors and mix-ins, resulting in a variety of cottage cheese ice cream creations.
4) Flavored Water:
While flavored water is not a new concept, it gained immense popularity on TikTok after Tonya Spanglo shared her "water recipes." These concoctions feature water flavored with syrups and powdered drink mixes, offering a refreshing twist. Some users have reported that these flavored waters helped them drink more water and break their soda-drinking habits. However, the trend has sparked discussions about ingredients and potential associations with diet culture.
5) Lemon Popcorn:
TikTok user @leels_ introduced the simple yet addictive recipe for lemon popcorn. By combining lemon zest, sea salt, and freshly popped microwave popcorn, she created a tangy and flavorful snack. Social media users added their own variations, including hot sauce, tajin, or parmesan cheese, to elevate the taste.
6) Smashburger Tacos:
Why choose between burgers and tacos when you can have both? Chef Brad Prose shared his recipe for smashburger tacos, combining the best elements of both dishes. Seasoned ground beef patties are topped with tortillas, pressed, cooked, and then loaded with classic burger toppings. The result? A delicious fusion that has left many in awe.
7) Upside Down Pastries:
TikTok users embraced a puff pastry hack that involves placing fillings onto a baking sheet, covering them with puff pastry, and baking until golden brown. Once flipped over, the pastries reveal a beautiful presentation. The trend has led to a wide range of creative fillings, from sweet options like caramelized honey and nectarines to savory combinations like caramelized shallots, ham, and gruyere cheese.