The popular social media platform TikTok provides a space where trends can easily be settled. A trend that is very common to form in the app are what is commonly called “Tik Tok foods.” These consist of food recipes that are popularized through the app. Here’s a list of some of the best food trends to have come out of the app.
Cucumber Salad
This trend took over the internet when TikTok user @logagm showcased how he sliced an entire cucumber into a plastic container and shoved complimentary ingredients of choice in there. When it looked like the container was about to explode, he gave it a good shake and there it was, the cucumber salad. As he shared daily his different cucumber salad combinations, others jumped on the trend, making it their own and even including it in their diet as a meal.
Swedish Candy
Different from other food trends on this list, the focus is not in the process of making but rather in the product itself. The colourful, sweet and sour candy come in many different fun shapes. The craze from then on TikTok comes from the fact that Swedish candy has fewer artificial colors and preservatives than American candy. They are also vegan and gluten-free, replacing gelatin with glucose.
Dubai Chocolate
One of the more recent and long-lasting trends on TikTok. The Dubai Chocolate craze began when Fix Dessert Chocolatier opened in Dubai with their star product Can’t Get Knafeh of It chocolate bar. Videos of people traveling to Dubai to try the infamous chocolate went absolutely viral, creating a need to try it for many. The thick, crunchy chocolate bar filled with pistachio paste and knafeh has been recreated by many, who record and post themselves doing it, contributing to its trendiness.
Mini Pancake Cereal
Like the Natures cereal trend —where people would put fresh fruit and ice in coconut water-– this trend also serves as a substitute for traditional cereals. This breakfast food caught popularity on TikTok when multiple users began sharing how easy and quick it was to make penny-sized pancakes to imitate cereal. This is a simple and fun recipe that can be accompanied with milk and anything that comes to mind.
Dalgona Coffee
The drink, also known as hand beaten coffee, firstly became popular in South Korea. After its spread through South Korea, it was renamed “Dalgona Coffee” after the popular South Korean sugar cane candy “Dalgona.” It reached international fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a wave of people were looking for home-made coffee recipes that refrained from using electrical mixers. The beverage is made by whipping instant coffee powder, sugar and hot water until it becomes a creamy texture and then adding milk.
Gigi Hadid Pasta
More commonly known as the italian dish “Spicy Vodka Pasta,” it was made a popular internet food named after the supermodel Gigi Hadid after she posted an Instagram story of herself cooking it. When she substituted Vodka from teh recipe, rumors of a pregnancy sparked. This gave people a lot to talk about, and brought the pasta dish into the spotlight. The pasta consists of a creamy tomato-based sauce started by cooking down onions and garlic. Then the tomato paste is caramelized in olive oil, and the heavy cream is added. Complement it with tons of parmesan cheese, butter and some pasta water. And for the final touch, add red pepper flakes spice and basil.
When it comes to what trends are going to succeed and prevail in platforms like TikTok, there’s no set common denominator in their formula, but they sure are all good.
