2026 Food Trends We Can’t Wait To Leave Behind

I have a lot of opinions. Which can, and do, certainly get me in trouble. I like to use my powers for good when it comes to my work here at Sporked. My job is to say all the things that we all want to say but are too scared to stand up and admit. As much as we love a bit around here, it can go too far sometimes. Especially when it comes to food trends.

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And as we near the end of the year, it’s time we finally call out the food trends that have had their fun and need to be put to rest. These are the 2026 food trends we can’t wait to leave behind.

Protein

We all know it’s going to make the list so let’s just get it out of the way. I already shared a lot of my thoughts, and horrors, in this article on the subject. There are some straight-up monstrous protein-packed creations. The Buffalo Wild Wings’ Protein Espresso Martini was the final nail in the coffin. You’ve had your fun but it’s time to call it a day. No more protein-packed foods for us next year please.

Dubai Chocolate

Honestly, it’s crazy that I have to write this out. It is nearly 2027 and we are still making new Dubai chocolate foods. It was a good trend but it really is not good enough to get endless renditions going on what will soon be a four year long timeframe. That’s right. Dubai chocolate went viral in late 2023. Feel old yet? I certainly do and I will use my new old-man powers to yell at the sky asking for the death of Dubai chocolate.

Celebrity Fast Food Meals

News flash! All these celebrity fast food meals that are being shoved down our throats aren’t actually anything special. It quite literally will be something as simple as a Big Mac without pickles. What are we doing? Just let us order what we want if it’s as simple as that. Either give us something truly unique that you dream up with a celebrity or get out of here with your silly gimmick.

Banana

I truly don’t know how the idea that banana was the next big trend, but I already need it to die. We have tried a few fast food items that were created from this idea and let me tell you, they both were absolutely disgusting. Just complete failures. No one wants banana flavoring in our ice cream. Let this trend die before it even fully takes off, please.

Skinny Foods

This is not the mid-aughts. We don’t need a skinny version of every food imaginable. I recently got an email about a “skinny cocoa” which is actually just a chocolate-flavored drink that’s loaded up with fiber and all the calories (thus all the flavor, fat, enjoyability) are squeezed out of. They called it “a more mindful take on hot chocolate.” What the hell are we doing? Just let people enjoy a cup of hot chocolate! Not everything needs to be a “wellness drink.” Let us enjoy our food.