Like the spirit of “Do it for the Vine,” people are willing to do a lot to keep up with the TikTok trend. Despite schadenfreude fads like the “milk crate challenge,” most people The trends that are popping up on TikTok are pretty innocuous. Even healthy. Among dance trends, couple quizzes, and phone challenges, one of the most heart-warming (and drool-worthy) types of viral TikTok is the food trend. Not only do they help us put down our phones while we try out the latest recipe, but they also bring food. Even if your food trend video doesn’t go viral, you’re at least getting nourished in the end—it’s a very “moon-to-the-stars” energy. And, judging by the food trends of 2021, it seems like the sky’s the limit for 2022.
"We've tried sourdough bread, banana bread, cloud bread, feta pasta and a trillion ways to make potatoes," says food blogger Capri Lilly, who posts @goodfoodbaddie.
There's no foolproof way to know what content will go viral on TikTok. Many of us post content and hope that the faceless god of algorithms will look upon us mercifully. But, as any influencer or professional content creator will tell you, there are many ways to predict what’s trending on TikTok. As with most viral videos, it may use certain hashtags or sounds that have gained traction in the past. But for foodies, the ingredients to create a viral food trend may require a few extra secret ingredients.
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What's making food trends go viral on TikTok
As Shalean LaBerge, co-creator of @SoFloFoodie, a TikTok account with 2.8 million followers, tells Bustle, one of the key factors behind a food recipe worth going viral is "its ability to be copied." This is clearly the focus of food creator videos, as most people choose step-by-step one-dish tutorial videos over complex three-course meals that require specialized equipment. "In most cases, the dish requires about one to five ingredients," says Jori Mezuda, a chef, DJ and music producer with more than 2 million followers on TikTok. From 2020's grilled feta craze to 2021's salmon rice bowls, the easier it is for amateur cooks to get their hands on a recipe, the more likely they are to rack up likes, remakes, duets, and quilts.
Laberge added that recipes that creators can easily customize are also great for food trends. Exhibit A: Cloud bread. As the recipe went viral in 2020 for its unique fluffy marshmallow-style bread, many users have continued the trend by adding different food colorings and other decorative ingredients to the recipe. Exhibit B: The art of focaccia has kept many TikTok users busy during lockdown making bread decorated with garden views and other vegetables. Exhibit C: Mezuda's viral take on the tortilla folding technique, in which she uses the technique to create Taco Bell-style tortillas.
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In addition to simplicity, beauty, and customizability, food tips for common dishes have become very popular on the app. Small tweaks to everyday recipes like pesto eggs, baked oats, and the folded tortilla method are a hit on the app, and these are simple tips for taking everyday recipes to the next level. Mezuda also noted that any recipes that "tap the senses of sight, taste, and sound" are bound to go viral — whether they're beautiful, delicious, and/or have an ASMR-like crunch.
However, even a recipe that incorporates all of these factors doesn't guarantee it will go viral. The virality of food trends also stems largely from the current cultural moment (see: The Dalgona Candy Challenge in Squidward ) and other zeitgeist factors.
Food Trend Forecast for 2022
As for 2022, it's hard to know exactly what's in store for TikTok foodies. However, there are some growing trends in 2021 that give us some fun ahead. Here are some food trend predictions we may see in 2022.
TikTok - Viral Food Delivery
Next year, instead of struggling to make cloud bread at home, you can order it to your door. On December 17, TikTok announced a partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts and Grubhub that will see ghost kitchens (aka delivery-only restaurants) pop up across the country to serve you TikTok's viral food. Currently, there are plans to open 300 such restaurants by March and 1,000 by the end of the year. What's better than actually experiencing your next creamy ramen in an hour of crushing your favorites? Profits from these orders will be invested in the original creators of the recipes — allowing them to come up with even more delicious viral creations, TechCrunch reports.
Air Fryers, Instant Pots, and Other Convenient Cooking Recipes
"As things get back to normal a little bit, I can only think that people are going to have less time in the kitchen," Laberge said. The work-from-home resurgence of 2020 and 2021 has seen the rise of many quick family lunch recipes. As a result, recipes that require shorter prep times and hands-off cooking methods may only become more popular in 2022.
Air fryers are particularly suitable for this area due to their convenience and versatility. "I use mine almost every day," Lily said of her air fryer. Mezuda also noted that the air fryer provides an extra layer of crispiness during frying without compromising on health because air fryer recipes use almost no oil.
plant foods
Plant-based diets have become increasingly popular in the mainstream in recent years, with many foodies creating platforms for vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian options. Not only is a plant-based diet more sustainable, but as TikTokers have proven, it's also delicious. Laberge noted that demand for more plant-based options has brought many large companies, restaurants and businesses into the market — which she predicts will make plant-based recipes even more popular.
Likewise, Eli Lilly and Company predicts that "weirdly delicious creamy flavors" will be popular next year. Nice Cream is a banana-based ice cream that's another plant-based, dairy-free alternative that's a favorite among vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. “I believe people will get creative with the flavors,” Lily said.
copycat recipes
LaBerge said she and SoFloFoodie co-founder Stephanie Ghitis have posted videos on TikTok that feature recipes that mimic nostalgic favorites, such as Hostess's Little Debbies and Twinkies, and the results have been "really good." LaBerge predicts that imitations of popular restaurant dishes, especially nostalgic foods, will likely continue to grow in popularity.
coffee recipes
Like the saying “you’ll always need a plumber,” you can always find viral coffee shows on TikTok. Whether it's a Starbucks copycat recipe or a viral recipe like whipped coffee, the staple drink has long been a muse for reimaginings. Eli Lilly hopes we'll see more creative ideas around the beloved morning pick-me-up. "I think people just fall asleep on the perfect combination of fruit and coffee," says Lilly, who notes that blueberry espresso tonic has become a go-to lately.
