4 Unique Viral Food Trends of 2021

When food trends go viral on social media, they go beyond the screen we are looking at. They travel through our kitchen, into our belly, and eventually end up as posts on our social media pages. Since the pandemic started, people have been experimenting more in their kitchens. Both ametuer and professional cooks alike have put their creative hats on to  come up with out of the box and groundbreaking viral recipes.  

In the last couple of years, viral food recipes on TikTok have been seen trending everywhere. From easy cooking hacks to surprising food combinations, we have penned down some of our favorite memorable and worthy of noting food recipes:

1. Liquid Dough Paratha

Let’s admit it, making homemade parathas can be messy and cumbersome. This recipe is a solution for the days when you are craving homemade parathas. It does not require any kneading or rolling, so you can make them quickly without the mess.
To prepare the liquid dough batter,  add the flour and salt into a bowl, then slowly add water while whisking. The batter will be similar to that of a pancake.  In a heated frying pan with oil, pour an even layer of the paratha mixture and cook on each side until golden brown.  This recipe has received mixed reviews. While some expert chefs say it's an innovative idea, others call it time consuming because  it takes up to 7 minutes to make each paratha.

2. Fanta Maggi

When you think of your favorite Indian comfort food, without a question, Maggi noodles instantly come to mind. A street food vendor in India came up with this out of the box recipe, and it has become the talk of the country on social media.  This creative concoction is easy, and can be made within minutes.
First, butter is added to a heated wok to saute onions and green chilies. Next, water and fanta are added along with some spices. Finally, Maggi noodles are added and cooked. Fanta Maggi is garnished with chaat masala and lemon. The taste has been  described as “sweet and sour”, “spicy and sweet” and “weird but tasty”.

3. Feta Pasta

Feta pasta was perhaps the most talked about viral recipe of 2021. A TikToker in Finland was the first to share this recipe, which quickly grew in popularity due to its minimal prep time and delicious flavors.
In a baking dish, add olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper and mix it well. Add a block of feta cheese with chili flakes on top. Bake for about 30 minutes at 400F or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta cheese has softened. Bake for an additional  10 minutes at 450F until the cheese has turned golden brown. Take the baked cheese out of the oven and mix well. Finally, add the boiled pasta and fresh basil and mix well.  
This is a very versatile dish, and people have created their own versions by using different types of pastas, or additional ingredients such as protein, veggies and spices.  Some serve it as a dip, while others went a step further by making it into a soup. The taste is described as “rich and creamy” and “decadent and fulfilling”.

4. Airfryer Pasta Chips

This pasta chip recipe might take the award for the most  creative  way to eat pasta.  This is another simple recipe that is super easy to make. Use boiled pasta, add oil, cheese and seasonings, and then place it in the airfryer for 8 to 10 minutes at 400F.  The end result is crispy and crunchy snackable pasta chips.
You can also make it an Indian style version by adding spices such as chili powder, chaat masala, garam masala, or amchur powder. These Indian pasta chips can be served with mint or mango chutney.  This is a guaranteed crowd pleasing  appetizer or snack.

Some of these buzzworthy food trends have gained a cult following. Some supermarkets even have dedicated sections of the store for the ingredients of viral recipes. 2021 was a big year for food trends, and needless to say, they’re here to stay.  What makes these food trends unique is that they are versatile and fit for all types of tastes. 

The last two years have been tough on everyone due to the ongoing threats posed by covid that limit gatherings, entertainment and travel. We all can agree that one thing that has kept us sane and brought us together during this time is food. We look forward to seeing more out of the ordinary and intriguing food trends in 2022!