Top food fads of 2024

Cracking lattes, Olympic muffins, and more - here is a look at the year's most talked-about treats.


Noorulain Talpur December 27, 2024
Photo: Fix Dessert Chocolatier

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As 2024 comes to a close, it’s clear that food trends, fueled by the power of social media, have continued to shape what we eat, drink, and share.

From viral sweets to innovative drinks and traditional snacks making a global comeback, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok were abuzz with the food sensations of the year. Let’s take a look back at the flavors, creations, and indulgences that defined 2024.

Dubai chocolate bar - Can't get Knafeh of it

One of the most talked-about food trends of the year came from Dubai, where Fix Dessert Chocolatier introduced the Can't Get Knafeh of It chocolate bar.

A fusion of traditional Middle Eastern flavors and creamy milk chocolate, this candy bar quickly became a global sensation. Featuring crispy kataifi, pistachio, and tahini paste wrapped in smooth milk chocolate, it was the treat everyone craved in 2024.

The bar's popularity skyrocketed, and in an interview with CNN, Fix founder Sarah Hamouda Hamouda shared the incredible growth of her business, with sales leaping from just six orders a day to 100 orders per minute.

DIY tutorials flooded the internet, as fans everywhere tried their hand at recreating the luxurious bar at home.

Olympic chocolate muffins: The athlete's sweet addiction

During the 2024 Summer Olympics, athletes discovered a new treat: rich, decadent chocolate muffins.

Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen famously shared his love for these indulgent baked goods on TikTok, and it didn’t take long for the trend to catch on worldwide.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TODAY (@todayshow)

The muffins quickly became a favorite among Olympians and foodies alike, inspiring a wave of copycat recipes and social media recreations.

Viral cracking latte: The ice-cracked coffee craze

Another 2024 trend that took TikTok by storm was the cracking latte. This interactive iced coffee drink featured a plastic cup coated in frozen chocolate, filled with iced coffee and milk.

The real fun began when you squeezed the cup, causing the chocolate to crack off with a satisfying sound.

 

This visually striking drink quickly became the go-to choice for coffee lovers and social media enthusiasts alike, who were eager to share the unique, satisfying experience of the cracking latte.

Its viral success is a perfect example of how food and drink can be as much about the experience as the flavour.

Matcha: The green gold of wellness

Matcha, which has long been a staple in Japanese culture, reached new heights in 2024. The vibrant green powder became the face of wellness trends, appearing in everything from lattes to cheesecakes and doughnuts.

Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Jenner helped propel matcha into the mainstream, with millions of social media posts showcasing matcha-infused creations.

Matcha’s high antioxidant content and natural energy-boosting properties made it a favorite among health-conscious consumers, while its distinct bitter-sweet flavor ensured it remained a versatile ingredient in global cuisine. In 2024, matcha wasn't just a trend; it became a lifestyle.

Lavashak: TikTok's tangy sensation

Lavashak, a traditional Iranian snack, became one of the year’s most unexpected food trends. Thanks to TikTok, this tangy and sweet treat, made from pureed fruits like cherries, plums, apricots, and pomegranates, gained a global following.

Known for its sour flavor and unique texture, Lavashak was a childhood favorite in Iran, but it wasn’t until 2024 that it found its way into the hearts (and feeds) of food lovers worldwide.

Its viral rise was a testament to how social media can help traditional foods break into the global culinary scene.

Dream cake: A showstopper of indulgence

Dream Cake was perhaps one of the most talked-about desserts of the year. Its intricate layers, stunning presentation, and indulgent flavor made it an instant hit.

The cake's popularity spread like wildfire, inspiring countless recreations by home bakers and professional chefs alike.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by CHUNK BAKEHOUSE (@chunk.uae)

By the end of 2024, Dream Cake had become a benchmark for dessert creativity, setting trends in the bakery world.

Social media users flocked to Instagram and TikTok to showcase their own versions of the Dream Cake, sharing everything from intricate decorating techniques to their personal twists on the recipe.

Matilda cake: The chocolate cake that conquered social media

Another viral sensation in 2024 was the Matilda cake, inspired by the iconic Bruce Bogtrotter cake from Roald Dahl’s Matilda.

This rich, decadent chocolate cake, first popularized by the bakery Get Baked, became the go-to dessert for chocolate lovers.

Its towering layers and indulgent richness made it a social media darling, and by the end of the year, it had become a global sensation.

The cake’s rise to fame was swift, with bakeries around the world offering their own versions of the indulgent treat.

What began as a tribute to a beloved children's book character quickly turned into a must-have dessert, showcasing the power of nostalgia and social media in creating food trends.

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