CATEGORY
Food Trends

Top Trends in Food

The world of flavor, food packaging and the future of food is constantly shifting in exciting ways. Trend Hunter’s food category features the best of the best in the world of edibles, from consumer packaged goods to the most cutting-edge food blogger recipes.

Explore Our Solutions +
SPOOKY Fast-Food Menus
SEP 11, 2026

SPOOKY Fast-Food Menus

Jack in the Box's Debuts a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Menu

Horror-Themed Fast Food — Seasonal menu drops anchored in spooky flavors and limited-time formats create room for brands to turn holidays into high-visibility dining events.

Read More +
Functional Protein Snack Expansions
SEP 11, 2026

Functional Protein Snack Expansions

Khloé Kardashian's Kloud Launches at Starbucks Canada

Protein-Forward Snacking — Everyday snack formats are being reformulated with functional protein benefits, creating space for brands that merge indulgent flavors with nutrition-led positioning.

Read More +
Fall-Flavored Football Doughnuts
SEP 9, 2026

Fall-Flavored Football Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme Launched Its Apple Cider Glazed and Game Day Dozen

Seasonal Sports Treats — Limited-time desserts that merge autumn flavors with football occasions create new space for snack brands to own tailgate rituals and viewing-party indulgence.

Read More +
Beauty-Inspired Yogurt Flavors
SEP 8, 2026

Beauty-Inspired Yogurt Flavors

Yogurtland Partnered with Too Faced on Sweet Peach Tart

Edible Brand Extensions — Cosmetics-inspired desserts reveal how sensory brand assets can migrate into food formats, creating collectible experiences that deepen fandom beyond core product categories.

Read More +
Meal Retail Expansions
SEP 8, 2026

Meal Retail Expansions

Factor Has Been Rolled Out to 800 Target Stores Nationwide

Retail-Ready Meal Subscriptions — Subscription-born meal brands are using national store shelves to diversify access points and capture shoppers who prefer spontaneous, in-person food purchases.

Read More +
Protein Ice Cream Bars
SEP 8, 2026

Protein Ice Cream Bars

'ndulge Expands into Target as a High-Protein and Low-Calorie Treat

Functional Frozen Desserts — Frozen treats are being reformulated with protein, probiotics, and reduced sugar, creating whitespace for indulgent products that deliver nutritional value without relying on fitness-centric positioning.

Read More +
Athlete-Partnership Charity Pizzas
SEP 11, 2026

Athlete-Partnership Charity Pizzas

Tony Gemignani & Nick Bosa Created 'The Boss' Pizza for Charity

Athlete-Branded Menu Items — Limited-edition dishes tied to sports personalities create collectible dining moments that blend fandom, flavor preferences, and local restaurant loyalty.

Read More +
Immersive Movie Meal Collaborations
SEP 8, 2026

Immersive Movie Meal Collaborations

Jollibee Brings 'Forgotten Island' Beyond the Screen

Immersive Meal Tie-Ins — Restaurant and entertainment partnerships are evolving into multi-sensory brand worlds where food, décor, collectibles and storylines create higher-value customer engagement.

Read More +
Chocolate Wrapper Handbags
SEP 11, 2026

Chocolate Wrapper Handbags

Rachel Comey Turns Unreal Packaging into a Runway Accessory

Packaging-Inspired Accessories — Recognizable consumer packaging translated into premium fashion items creates openings for brands to turn everyday visual assets into collectible lifestyle products.

Read More +
Ready-Made Protein Ice Lollies
SEP 11, 2026

Ready-Made Protein Ice Lollies

Myprotein & Vimto Unvailed Its High Protein Ice Lollies

Protein-Enhanced Frozen Treats — Functional nutrition is moving into indulgent freezer formats, creating room for snack brands to blend everyday treats with accessible protein benefits.

Read More +
Game-Inspired QSR Menus
AUG 25, 2026

Game-Inspired QSR Menus

McDonald’s x XBOX Partner to Bring In-Game Food to Life with Side Missions

Playable Menu Experiences — QSR brands are translating gaming worlds into limited-time foods, creating space for immersive product development that blends fandom, storytelling and dining.

Read More +
SPOOKY Fast-Food Menus
SEP 11, 2026

SPOOKY Fast-Food Menus

Jack in the Box's Debuts a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Menu

Horror-Themed Fast Food — Seasonal menu drops anchored in spooky flavors and limited-time formats create room for brands to turn holidays into high-visibility dining events.

Read More +
Y2K-Inspired Wing Menus
AUG 19, 2026

Y2K-Inspired Wing Menus

Buffalo Wild Wings Has a New Throwback Menu Coming This August

Y2K Menu Revivals — Nostalgia-led limited-time menus create space for restaurant brands to repackage archived items as fresh cultural experiences for millennial and Gen Z consumers.

Read More +
Luxury Strawberry Shops
AUG 21, 2026

Luxury Strawberry Shops

A First-of-Its-Kind Oishii Kiosk Opened in NYC

Premium Fruit Gifting — Luxury produce packaged as collectible, gift-ready experiences signals space for brands to turn everyday perishables into high-margin seasonal presents.

Read More +
Experiential Coffee Boutiques
SEP 2, 2026

Experiential Coffee Boutiques

Nespresso Blends Guided Tastings with Self-Service Shopping

Guided Retail Tastings — Immersive sampling formats are turning stores into education-led discovery spaces where brands can deepen loyalty through sensory engagement and product storytelling.

Read More +
Elegant Courtside-Inspired Experiences
AUG 20, 2026

Elegant Courtside-Inspired Experiences

The Plaza x Lacoste Reprise Le Café Lacoste

Sport-Luxury Hospitality — Upscale hotels are translating athletic culture into refined dining, décor, and retail experiences that create new value through lifestyle-driven guest immersion.

Read More +
Kid-Friendly Cafeteria Products
AUG 18, 2026

Kid-Friendly Cafeteria Products

The General Mills Foodservice K-12 Range is Ready for School

Regulation-Ready School Foods — Compliance-focused product development is creating room for packaged meals and snacks that balance evolving nutrition standards with kid-approved taste and recognizable branding.

Read More +
Fat-Free Protein Supplements
AUG 20, 2026

Fat-Free Protein Supplements

Be Legend Nonfat Milk Protein is Available in Japan

Dairy-Based Alt Protein — Fat-free milk powder creates a middle ground between whey and plant-based supplements, signaling room for hybrid nutrition formats that reframe traditional dairy as a modern protein source.

Read More +
Ritualistic Matcha Cafés
AUG 31, 2026

Ritualistic Matcha Cafés

Jun Matcha Club Centers Its Interior Around Tea Preparation

Ritualized Beverage Spaces — Hospitality brands are turning drink preparation into slow, sensory ceremonies that differentiate venues through atmosphere, pacing and participation.

Read More +
Functional Marshmallows
AUG 17, 2026

Functional Marshmallows

Purely Puff’d Up Helps to Support Metabolism and Recovery

Functional Confectionery — Sweet snacks infused with protein, collagen, and metabolism-supporting ingredients reveal white space for indulgent formats that compete with traditional nutrition bars.

Read More +
Kitchen Sink Ice Creams
AUG 1, 2026

Kitchen Sink Ice Creams

Trader Joe's New All Mixed Up Ice Cream Has a Bit of Everything

Maximalist Dessert Mashups — Layered combinations of cookies, candy, pretzels, sprinkles, and swirls create room for premium frozen treats that turn familiar snacks into high-novelty indulgences.

Read More +
Animated Musical Dairy Products
AUG 8, 2026

Animated Musical Dairy Products

The KPop Demon Hunters x Yoplait Range is Here for Back-to-School

Character-Branded Dairy — Animated franchise packaging turns everyday yogurt into a collectible snack experience, creating space for licensed nutrition products that blend entertainment value with routine family purchases.

Read More +
Spellbinding Baking Kits
JUL 23, 2026

Spellbinding Baking Kits

Harry Potter Inspired Pillsbury and Betty Crocker Products

Fantasy-Themed Baking — Beloved fictional worlds are transforming pantry staples into immersive at-home experiences that merge food preparation with fandom identity and collectible appeal.

Read More +
Skincare-Inspired Chocolates
AUG 7, 2026

Skincare-Inspired Chocolates

Cadbury Dairy Milk Watermelon Chocolate Block is MCoBeauty-Approved

Beauty-Infused Confections — Hybrid products that borrow cues from skincare rituals and flavor profiles reveal space for confectionery brands to create novelty experiences that feel sensory, shareable and lifestyle-driven.

Read More +
Game-Inspired QSR Menus
AUG 25, 2026

Game-Inspired QSR Menus

McDonald’s x XBOX Partner to Bring In-Game Food to Life with Side Missions

Playable Menu Experiences — QSR brands are translating gaming worlds into limited-time foods, creating space for immersive product development that blends fandom, storytelling and dining.

Read More +
Peachy Milk Pudding Refreshments
JUL 21, 2026

Peachy Milk Pudding Refreshments

Starbucks Delight Me Peach Milk Has Pudding-Textured Inclusions

Dessert-Style Beverages — Creamy drinks with pudding-like inclusions blur the line between refreshments and indulgent snacks, creating space for premium sensory formats in everyday packaged beverages.

Read More +
Regional Heritage Whisky
JUL 21, 2026

Regional Heritage Whisky

Isle of Harris Debuts Its First Signature Single Malt Whisky

Origin-Led Premiumization — Place-based provenance is becoming a key differentiator for luxury spirits, creating space for brands that turn geography, climate, and community into premium value signals.

Read More +
Customizable Ketchup Squeeze Lids
AUG 10, 2026

Customizable Ketchup Squeeze Lids

HEINZ Launched Its Love Lid for Personalized Portions

Personalized Condiment Dispensing — Adjustable lids transform everyday sauces into tailored experiences, creating space for packaging that adapts to individual taste preferences and portion habits.

Read More +
Permissible Low-Calorie Confections
AUG 12, 2026

Permissible Low-Calorie Confections

HallPass is Launching to Challenge Chocolate Category Classics

Low-Calorie Candy Dupes — Familiar confection formats with reduced sugar and calorie counts create space for mainstream candy alternatives that compete on taste, price, and nostalgia.

Read More +
Seasonal Asian-Inspired Groceries
AUG 3, 2026

Seasonal Asian-Inspired Groceries

Aldi Introduced Its Taste of Asia Range

Mainstream Asian Flavours — Global pantry staples such as ramen, pho and kimchi are moving into value-led supermarkets, creating space for accessible multicultural assortments that broaden everyday meal routines.

Read More +
TREND HUNTER
INSIGHTS

Low-Carb Italian

QSR and CPG brands are launching low-carb Italian dishes for healthy indulgence

Trend — Restaurant chains and grocery brands introduce plant-based low-carb pastas and pizzas. They use vegetable spiralized noodles, cauliflower crusts, almond flour or coconut flour bases and dairy-free cheese alternatives. Packaging and menu cues highlight low-carb, high-fiber and keto-friendliness.

Insight — Health-conscious consumers still crave the ritual and flavor of pasta and pizza but often avoid them due to high carbohydrates and reliance on wheat and dairy. Existing low-carb options can feel bland, lack authentic texture or include artificial ingredients. Brands are responding by blending vegetable ingredients and plant proteins to replicate al dente bite, melty cheese and robust tomato and herb profiles while keeping carbs low and clean ingredients front and center.

Workshop Question — How can we innovate our current offerings to deliver a satisfying sensory experience while aligning with health-conscious dietary trends like low-carb or keto?

SCORE
5.4
GENDER
50% Men 50% Women
MARKET
GENERATION
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen Z
  • Millennial
  • Gen X
POPULARITY
Popularity
Activity
Freshness

EXPLORE TOPICS

#1 Trend Platform

Access the world’s #1 trend platform through a fully customizable dashboard. Explore 80+ categories, over 500,000 ideas, and a comprehensive library of premium trend reports. Track key topics, access eLearning, and stay ahead with personalized updates—all in one place.

Trend Hunter platform on a laptop