Yelp’s Top Food Trend Predictions for 2022

Yelp’s data science team analyzed millions of reviews to find the food and drink keywords that were really on the rise between 2020 and 2021. Here’s what to look forward to in the food scene next year.

Croffle

Step aside, cronuts—croffles (pictured above) are the new sweet treat hitting plates next year. A cross between a croissant and a waffle, this is a South Korean delicacy making waves here with searches up +1,505%. Croffles can be topped with sweet or savory toppings, so look forward to all kinds of fun flavor combinations.

Macadamia Pancakes

There’s nothing like starting the day with a fluffy stack of pancakes. With Hawaii being a popular travel destination in the past year, island-favorite macadamia nuts will make their way onto the breakfast and brunch menus next year. Get started on the trend now by making these tropical hotcakes.

Egg Bread

Most of us (myself included) spent the last year in the kitchen trying to perfect our homemade bread techniques. According to Yelp, it looks like consumers will crave egg breads such as brioche and challah (pictured above). While I’ll still keep yeast stocked for baking adventures, I’m all about heading to the local bakery for a loaf.

Malasada

Also known as Portuguese fried dough, this confection is very popular in Hawaii. Sort of like a donut, malasadas start with a yeasted dough and are rolled in sugar after frying. They can be plain, but filled variations include flavors such as guava, custard, and chocolate.

Calic Bread

Calic bread is another Korean food that’s currently making waves in California. Basically, it’s a round loaf of bread that’s been split, stuffed with a garlic-cream cheese mixture, and baked to gooey perfection. Sounds like a dreamy appetizer to me.

Blonde Pizza

My go-to budget-friendly meal during my time in New York City for a college program was (duh) pizza. It was there I discovered blonde pizza (aka white pizza). The tomato-less pie usually comes with a garlic-oil base and is covered with oodles of cheese. The best part is the creamy dollops of ricotta.

Pizza Cones

If you’re looking for meals on the go, the pizza cone is about to become your new best friend. A pizza cone takes the crust and wraps it into a cone to fill it with your favorite toppings for a delicious hand-held meal.

Negronis

With searches up nearly 50%, the Negroni is a cocktail worth adding to your bar menu. The classic Italian cocktail is made of gin, vermouth, Campari, and finished with an orange peel. It’s a refreshing, slightly bitter, yet sweet apertivo (pre-meal drink).

Espresso Martini

It’s not just fashion from the ’90s coming back in style. This retro coffee cocktail is made with vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur. Espresso martinis are not technically a real martini as there’s no gin or vermouth involved, but it’s often served in a martini glass. Which food trends are you most excited to try next year? Until we see which ones really take off, I’m looking forward to getting ahead of the trend and adding egg breads and croffles to my menu.