Food TikTok gave new meaning to filling up social media feeds in 2021.
From blocks of baked feta cheese to crunchy air-fried pasta, TikTok released its top trends of the year, and according to the video platform, eats were on repeat. Food creators and viewers alike whipped up everything from simple recipes to testing out trendy techniques throughout the year.
"These food videos helped others discover a passion for cooking and learn about new ingredients, techniques and cuisines," TikTok said in a statement Monday. "From the world's favorite at-home feta pasta to supersized kebabs and salmon rice, to a few pantry decluttering tips, check out all the recipes and food hacks TikTok got the world craving this year."
Meet the ASMR food creators who smash garlic in stunning outdoor culinary videosChefs, recipe developers and home cooks alike hopped on this simple, genius folding technique all year long and said goodbye to wrap and sandwich spillage with this four-quadrant fold to lock in all the ingredients.
Anyone who found themselves on food TikTok will remember this one. A glass baking dish, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a cube of fresh feta cheese and an array of garlic, herbs, oil and seasonings baked to a creamy, spoonable sauce that was made and shared over and over again.
@feelgoodfoodie Baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes!! Recipe on blog • Inspired by @grilledcheesesocial 😘 #tiktokpartner #LearnOnTikTok #fetapasta #recipes ♬ original sound - Feel Good Foodie
One of the viral food crazes on TikTok was a bowl of fruit with fresh coconut water, dubbed "nature's cereal."
@natures_food nature's cereal #fruit #fruits #share
♬ original sound - 🥭Fruits & Leaves🍃
The video from vegan food TikTok creator, "Natures Food," which racked up over 1.3 million likes, showed a bowl of fresh pomegranate arils, blueberries and blackberries, topped with fresh coconut water. Some users shared their renditions, adding ice cubes to give the fruit a flash freeze and make it crunchy like cereal.
@cookingwithayeh Pasta Chips should be illegal but they taste so good! ##fyp ##pastachips ##foodtiktok ##crunch
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod
Emily Mariko shared her simple recipe that utilizes a leftover salmon filet with white rice, Sriracha, mayonnaise and avocado that shot her to TikTok stardom.
@emilymariko Best lunch of the week!
♬ original sound - Emily Mariko
The video garnered over 7 million likes and inspired hundreds of others to recreate their own riffs on her nori-filled snack.
Pesto eggs
Like many food TikTok trends, the name of this tells you everything you need to know. Eggs cooked in pesto.
@acooknamedmatt Dr Seuss ? More like Dr Sus with those green eggs. #greeneggs #green #pestoeggs #eggs ♬ original sound - Chef Matt Broussard
Chef Matt Broussard elevated the idea of these pan-fried pesto eggs with a playful nod to Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" turning them into a tasty breakfast sandwich.
Baked oats
@callascleaneats Recipe on IG 🍪 one of my faves!! 👏🏼 #fyp #healthyrecipes #glutenfree #bakedoats #bakedoatmeal #breakfast #healthyfood ♬ original sound - Calla Ramont
Sure, some recipes were hit or miss and there are always those critical of over-hyped viral recipes, but this blended and baked oat breakfast staple turned snack cake-style treat was a hit with millions on the platform.
This recipe gives off the mature older cousin vibes from the early aughts microwave mug cake, that now actually measures ingredients, uses an oven and owns at least one set of ramekins.
All things air fryer
There were an array of recipes that utilized the swirling convection heat of an air fryer. This countertop appliance that exploded in popularity and delivers a quick-and-easy crisp without the fear of frying in a vat of scalding oil had cooks testing the technique on everything from Jaymee Sire's bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers to chocolate chip cookies.
Birria ramen
The consommé-like Mexican soup that's made from a combo of chili-braised meat with aromatics and spices made another appearance in this cross-cultural hybrid dish that swaps out a traditionally meat and cheese stuffed tortilla that's dunked in the broth with noodles.
@birrieria_villalobos Have you tried it yet? #ramen #birria #foodie #la #tiktokfood #tiktokfoodie ♬ Boyz-N-The-Hood - Remix;Edited - Eazy-E
Spicy pickled garlic
@food52 Is the spicy pickled garlic recipe just a trend? Let’s find out! 🧄 Recipe via @lalaleluu #SimpleRecipe #PickledGarlic #Garlic #CookingTikTok ♬ Funk it up - Official Sound Studio
Food creators added some heat to their already pungent pickled garlic with the addition of Sriracha, chili powder and herbs.
