As of 2026, here are 6 food trends Brig predicts will make an appearance and a handful of trends we can leave in 2025.
Predicted Trends for 2026
American Snacks
This may be wishful thinking, but with Blue Raspberry Sour Patch Kids, a Tesco own-brand of chocolate-covered pretzels, and more American chain restaurants like Wing Stop opening in the UK, it seems likely that more will follow.
Personally, I am hoping for peanut butter pretzels, everything bagels, hot apple cider, or anything from Trader Joe’s. But really, at this point, anything well seasoned would be a good thing.
Filled Dumplings
Following the recent viral dumpling bake and the rise in trendy aisen foods, Brig is hoping that we see more and more dumpling-based recipes. Soups, salads, bakes, scrambles, and smashes, dumplings could do it all – probably.
Filled dumplings are available in hundreds of different forms. You have most likely heard of a handful like pierogi, boa, empanadas and gyoza. Still, there are so many more out there which are not at all reminiscent of the stodgy lumps from the days of school dinner.
Lentils
As food prices continue to rise, cheaper sources of protein are likely to come to the surface. Much like the recently trendy butterbeans, lentils are easy, versatile, inexpensive and a good source of protein.
You can add them to stews and curries to thicken, or blend them into a paste to include in savoury muffins. While not in any way a new ingredient, this pantry staple should come out of the cupboard and into the forefront of 2026 food trends.
Banana bread Flavour
Again, due to rising food prices, banana bread as an easy and cheap bake is returning; however, much like how tiramisu has been found flavouring everything this year, from coffee to Lattes to doughnuts, banana bread is teed up and ready. All I want is a banana bread, French toast and maybe an ice cream, is that so hard to ask? These predictions might just be a wishlist.
Microwave mug cakes
They had their time in 2010, but as a sweet treat becomes more and more of a luxury, simple store cupboard-made at-home delights are sure to be on the rise. The biggest downside of these delights is the washing up, but that, compared to the price of a coffee shop croissant, an extra couple of minutes of scrubbing is worth it.
‘Nduja sausage
An Italian spicy sausage that has been seen on pizzas, crisps and other products. This spreadable southern Italian sausage is only on the rise and would be stunning in pastas, toasties or anything in need of a little kick.
Bonus – bet you didn’t see this coming – Community around food
Over the past couple of years, potluck trends have been going around TikTok, as well as trends like Cake Picnics. These types of events indicate a shift back to food being associated with community. People gathering to celebrate food, and quite possibly video themselves doing so, is a good, fun start in building an in-person community based on the social internet.
Trends to be Left in 2025
Tiramisu
Why are we having a tiramisu-flavoured latte that’s a coffee-flavoured coffee? It’s everywhere, though. I understand the appeal, but there are only so many ways you can do coffee and cream-flavoured things.
Performative Matcha
Matcha is nice, but it’s gone too far. Let’s all settle for a good matcha rather than a syrup-filled, overly milky atrocity. Focusing on quality rather than trendiness.
Dubai Chocolate
It’s nice but not worth the price, and the ensuing pistachio onslaught has been enjoyable. Still, pistachio is not a top-tier nut, and they do not belong in everything.
Featured image credit: Pexels