We’re Predicting 2027’s Biggest Food Trends

2026 has been dominated by a few key food trends, and now that it’s July, we have to say that maybe, juuuuust maybe, they’re petering out (well, some of them are, anyway). By our count, there have been four main trends this year, in the form of pickle flavors, pistachio flavors, swicy flavors, and protein in absolutely everything. Barely a day has gone by without a food manufacturer or brand putting out an item that has one (or more) of these in ‘em. But all trends die, and new ones rise.

Videos by Sporked

Given that we’re now over halfway through the year (yep, isn’t that wild), we thought it might be time to have a look at some of the trends that could dominate in 2027. Let’s discuss.

Fricy Flavors

Broader swicy flavors might be on the downswing, but it could well be the case that they’re replaced by something a bit more specific. Fricy (a portmanteau of fruit and spicy) flavors have been bubbling to the fore in the last couple of months, and while they’re not quite at the point of being a trend yet, we’re starting to see mango-chili and watermelon-Tajin combos more and more. 

These combos, though, haven’t quite made their way to shelves and restaurants with the same frequency as hot honey and other swicy flavors, which tend to rely more heavily on straightforward sweetness and spiciness. Fricy combos bring more tang into the equation. We anticipate them being everywhere next year.

Protein In Everything…Still

Sorry, guys. It’s not going away. The protein trend has been around for a few years now, and going forward, you can expect to see it in even more foods. Manufacturers are increasingly looking for innovative ways to deliver it, though, and rejigging old formats for protein-weary customers. Takeaways’ new savory protein bars feel like a bit of a bellwether for all this: An example of a protein product that’s trying to do something different. 

Yuzu Drinks

A recent report from Restaurant Business Online looked at the state of food trends going forward, specifically by examining products at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. They noted that yuzu looks to be a popular flavor going forward into the coming year, given its frequency in new drink products. Yuzu’s been around for a minute, of course, but it still feels a little niche – but 2027 could be the year that catapults it into the mainstream. 

New Celebrity Eats

Are we about to see a new proliferation of celebrity-fronted foods? Restaurant Business Online seems to think so. The publication noted that we may see a renewed crop of products made by famous chefs that have yet to make a dent in the celebrity food market – and more specifically, we might see restaurant products having more of a presence on our shelves. Look out for items from Benihana, Momofuku, Carmine’s, and Marcus Samuelsson in the coming year, all of which point towards a slightly higher-end version of foods with brand-name recognition.