Written by Cove Johnson Rabidoux
It's that time of year again when Pinterest—a highly popular and visually appealing social media platform—forecasts the top trends for the coming year. Although most of their predictions focus on fashion and lifestyle themes, each year there are always a few related to food that worm their way onto the list. For example, last December they predicted that 2024 would be a year full of tropical-themed drinks, cheesy and gooey sandwiches, and whole days spent at a cafe. As the new year approaches, let's take a closer look at what Pinterest sees as the next big trends in food.
Over-the-Top Sodas + Floats
First on the list are over-the-top soda floats (or "rebel floats," as Pinterest named them). This year, searches for fruit soda and soda drink recipes have wildly increased. That is why Pinterest predicts that 2025 will be the year when retro diner sodas are given "a radical makeover." This could look like anything from sodas topped with donuts and whipped cream to unexpected elements like edible glitter and cotton candy. Whatever these recreated drinks may look like, they will certainly be inventive, bold, and led by Gen-Z.
Pickles With Everything
Next on the prediction list are pickles, pickles, and more pickles. Pinterest claims, "From sweet treats to tangy cocktails, the oh-so-humble pickle is about to be in absolutely everything." Already we are seeing pickles grow in popularity with searches such as Pickle Fries and Pickle Cakes on the rise. However, in 2025 this love affair is going to grow even more. Think pickle-inspired desserts like pickle ice cream, savory dishes reimagined with pickle-infused sauces, and even drinks like pickle martinis and margaritas. Pickles with everything are sure to make for more acidic dishes and experimental recipes.
Creative, Wacky Cakes
In a surprising turn of events, Pinterest has named Chaos Cakes as their final food-related trend. While Pinterest is a platform centered on perfect visuals and aesthetically pleasing photos, in 2025, they predict a shift towards embracing chaos in the form of imperfect and messy cakes. This trend is beginning to pick up speed now, with Pinterest citing that searches for "rat cakes" are already up 170%. Not only are rat and chaos cakes about self-expression, but they are also about breaking free from the expectation of "picture-perfect" baking. This trend invites bakers to have fun while creating edible art that is personal and authentic—no matter how wacky the final product may look.
As we look toward the future of food, it has already been made clear that 2025 will be a year of experimental flavors and bold, creative dishes. From over-the-top soda floats to pickles making their way into unexpected dishes and desserts, the food world is about to be taken by storm. So, whether you indulge in a wild soda float or bake a cake that’s far from perfect, one thing is certain—food in 2025 will be anything but ordinary.
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Which food trend do you think will become the biggest?