2025’s Favorite Food Trends Will Leave You Craving More

Sweets With Soy Sauce

In 2024, people were obsessed with putting olive oil on vanilla ice cream. But in 2025, a new ingredient is taking center stage with desserts.

“What I’m really loving these days is making an affogato with a dash of soy sauce—could totally see that trending next year,” says Chef Shota Nakajima, Top Chef Finalist. “There’s a sweetness and bitterness to the soy sauce, plus umami, and it cuts really nicely through the creaminess of the ice cream. The soy sauce also adds a nice richness to the coffee, so the combo of all these flavors could be the next big thing.”

The soy sauce dessert trend isn’t limited to just ice cream, either. Nakajima loves making “soy sauce caramels” and “adding a dash [of the sauce] to brownies.”

This trend should come as no surprise. Soy sauce-based dishes like cucumber salads went viral in 2024, foreshadowing the soy sauce sweets wave hitting us in 2025.

Kikkoman Organic Soy Sauce, 25.40 Fluid Ounce

On Sale 6% off

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Kikkoman’s Organic Soy Sauce is consistently rated 5 stars among its reviewers, who love that it’s not too salty yet still flavorful.

Aloha Shoyu – Original Blend Soy Sauce

$15 Buy Now On Amazon

People love Aloha Shoyu for its savory yet slightly sweet flavor, which makes it great for marinades, sauces, soups, and everything in between.

San-J – Organic Gluten-Free Tamari Soy Sauce

$18 Buy Now On Amazon

Those who are gluten intolerant can still join the soy sauce fun. Tamari is a thicker, less salty alternative to soy sauce that contains less wheat, so you won’t have to worry about its gluten contents (or lack thereof).

Snacks With Global Flavors

Snacks with globally inspired flavors are becoming more popular, according to Whole Foods Market’s 2025 Food and Drink Trend Report. These are different from snacks that are merely shipped from other countries. There are a growing number of American CPG brands utilizing the flavors of the world to reimagine their snacks.

Gimme Seaweed – Chili Lime

$18 Buy Now On Amazon

These seaweed snacks aren’t anything new, but the existence of this highly popular Chili Lime-flavor just proves that fusion-flavors will be everywhere next year.

Siete Grain Free Hint of Mexican Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies

$33.00 Buy Now On Amazon

Those with a sweet tooth can still join in on the international snacking trend with these Mexican Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies . They’re made with almond flour and coconut oil, making them perfect for those who follow vegan diets.

Dishes With Yuzu

While Yuzu has been around for 1,300 or so years—with origins tracing back to ancient China and Japan—it’s beginning to enter the mainstream American culinary sphere. “People are discovering it as a more complex, aromatic and floral alternative to lemon,” Nakajima says.

While it’s always ideal to use fresh yuzu, the ingredient might not be easy to find it at your local grocery store. Luckily, Nakajima explained the one yuzu-based ingredient he loves in particular. “Kikkoman has a Yuzu Ponzu, which is a citrus-seasoned soy sauce, that provides a perfect balance of salt, sweet, tangy and umami flavor,” he explains. “Overall, Ponzu is also super versatile and can be used as a dipping sauce or as an ingredient in all kinds of cooking.”

Kikkoman Ponzu Citrus Seasoned Dressing and Sauce

$11 Buy Now On Amazon

Like Nakajima says, this Yuzu Ponzu can be used in almost anything, making it an amazing addition to your kitchen pantry. Whether you use it as a sauce for oysters, make a dressing with it, or use it as a marinade, you can’t go wrong with having it in your lineup of sauces.

Yuzu Marmalade from Yakami Orchard

$14 Buy Now On Amazon

If marmalade sounds more like your jam, you’re in luck. This Yuzu Marmalade has a perfectly sweet yet floral flavor with bits of softened yuzu rind mixed in. Put it on toast and yogurt, or mix it into a sauce for a citrusy kick.

YUZUCO – Yuzu Super Juice

$14 Buy Now On Amazon

Last but not least is this Yuzu Juice. With it, the options are endless. Make a fun cocktail, bake a citrusy pie, mix up the perfect vinaigrette, or drink it plain—the world is truly your oyster.

High-Protein Everything

Over the last few years, there’s been an all-consuming, society-wide obsession with protein-infused foods. (Just take a walk down any aisle in Whole Foods, and you’ll see what I mean.)

Fitness is increasingly trendy. (Really.) People took a record-breaking number of Pilates classes in 2023, and TikTok is full of people finding fun ways to get fit. High-protein breakfasts, desserts, and snacks are popular choices for avid exercisers looking for fuel. Plus, they’re tasty and filling—so you can enjoy them even if you aren’t hitting the gym.

GOODLES Mac & Cheese Assortment

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The high-protein craze has officially entered the pasta market. One example of this is Goodles Mac & Cheese, which boasts 14 grams of protein per serving. Personally, I’m on board with the concept, because it just means I can eat a big bowl of this Mac & Cheese and feel fuller for longer.

Magic Spoon Cereal

On Sale 18% off

$36 Buy Now On Amazon

Similarly, Magic Spoon Cereal has 13 grams of protein per serving. This seems perfect for a quick, easy meal.

Legendary Foods High Protein Sweet Roll+ Bars

On Sale 18% off

$31 Buy Now On Amazon

Last but not least, we’re seeing more and more high-protein desserts. The Legendary Foods High Protein Sweet Roll has 22 grams of protein (more than the protein content of three eggs!). The brand also makes Pastries if that’s more your vibe.