Over the last 50 years, countless food trends have come and gone. Some have stuck around for decades or made short comebacks, leaving us craving more. But what have been the most delectable, memorable fads?
Some of the tastiest food trends that have emerged in the past five decades. Can you guess which irresistible eats originated in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond?
To compile this mouthwatering list, 24/7 Tempo consulted various food and history websites focused on tracking trends through the years. With so many tempting fads to choose from, we had to be selective, focusing on those that truly captured our tastebuds. For easier reading, we’ve organized the trends by decade, starting with the groovy food of the 1970s. (Interested in other food-related articles? Click here to read the biggest food fads of the past 50 years.)
Deviled Eggs
- Era: 1970s
Deviled eggs are so simple to make. Although the first mention of a recipe for deviled eggs appeared in 1877, this beloved appetizer didn’t grow in popularity until the 1940s. The biggest boom though was during the 1970s. This popular, and yet simple snack was everywhere, including most parties. They were especially popular after WWII. The history of deviled eggs though begins long before they got this name, in Ancient Rome.
Fondue
- Era: 1970s
Second on our list is fondue, another favorite food trend that is still popular today. Like deviled eggs, fondue’s history spans long before it became a staple at get-togethers and parties. Fondue is a Swiss melted cheese dish served in a large pot. This is shared in large groups. Although a popular dish in Switzerland for years, it took off in the United States after it was introduced at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. By the 1970s, fondue was everywhere along with other group-sharing dishes.
Watergate Salad
- Era: 1970s
One of the most classic dishes in the 1970s was Watergate salad. Although sometimes still made, it’s not as popular or common as fondue or deviled eggs. Watergate salad is a unique pistachio, pudding, pineapple, and cool whip dessert. The origin of this desert is debated, but likely came from the mid-1970s as this was when pistachio pudding mix was produced. The recipe for Watergate salad was published on June 27, 1976. It took no time for this vibrant ‘salad’ to grow in recognition.
Quiche Lorraine
- Era: 1970s
A very popular dish in the 1970s is Quiche Lorraine. Although this delicious dish exploded in the 1970s, quiches aren’t new. They’ve been around since the 16th century, although it was mostly restricted to the French region of Lorraine. So, what is a quiche Lorraine? It’s a French tart that generally has cream, eggs, cheese, and ham. The ingredients may vary.
Jello Salad/Cake
- Era: 1970s
Not to be confused with Watergate salads, Jello salads or cakes were extremely popular in the 1970s. People in the United States got creative with this dish and made it either sweet or savory, although it was usually sweet. While ‘salad’ is in this dish’s name, it’s not always made with vegetables. It’s made with a jello base and other added ingredients like chocolate chips, marshmallows, pretzels, carrots, and more. A popular Jello salad is seafoam salad.
Sloppy Joes
- Era: 1980s
One of many past food trends is sloppy joes. Interestingly, like other incredible food trends of the last 50 years in America, this dish was created decades before it grew to peak popularity. There are two theories as to when the sloppy joe was invented. This meat sandwich either was born in the 1930s in Iowa or in 1917 in Havana, Cuba. Regardless of the origin, this tasty shredded meat sandwich was a favorite in the 1980s and continues to be today. They were and still are popular school lunches.
Blackened Fish
- Era: 1980s
The 1980s was a fun time to experiment with regional foods and global dishes. During this decade, many people were blackening food like chicken, fish, shrimp, and pork. This Cajun favorite has a longer history, although it was mainly popularized by Paul Prudhomme, a great Louisiana chef who specialized in Cajun and creole dishes.
Seven-Layer Dip
- Era: 1980s
The seven-layer dip is a party favorite dish that grew in popularity during the vibrant decade of the 80s. Seven-layered dips vary in ingredients. However, this dish is usually made with refried/mashed beans, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes/pico de gallo, shredded cheese or cheese sauce, black olives (or beans), and cooked beef. Some people also add lettuce or omit any of the ingredients above.
Frozen Pudding Pops
- Era: 1980s
Next on our list of the most delicious food trends of the last 50 years are frozen pudding pops. These sweet treats are perfect for relief on a hot summer day. They were popular for their variety, ease, and cost-effectiveness. To make these popsicles, people would use Jello or other gelatin packets and freeze them with a stick. They are still popular, but sometimes people add fresh fruits or toppings like hot fudge or sprinkles.
Ranch Dressing
- Era: 1980s
During the 1980s and 1990s, ranch dressing became one of the most used salad dressings in the United States. This creamy and savory dressing was invented in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Steve Henson created ranch dressing and started selling them commercially in packets. It grew in popularity, especially when Cool Ranch Doritos was released in 1986. Now, ranch is still popular and used as a dipping sauce for wings, dressing for salads, and topping for pizza.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Era: 1990s
The 1990s was an iconic time with a lot of delicious global food trends. In the United States, sun-dried tomatoes were the trend in the 1990s. They were used in many salads and dishes like pizza, pasta, and more. Interestingly while they became popular seemingly overnight, they declined just as fast.
Caesar Salad
- Era: 1990s
Caesar salads appeared in nearly all restaurants from the 1990s and on. While they were popular in the 90s, Caesar salads have existed since at least 1924. This delicious salad is made up of romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, olive oil, and croutons. Caesar salad is added on top but is rarely the same. Interestingly, sometimes raw eggs are used to make this exceptionally popular salad. You can also add cooked chicken on top.
Molten Chocolate Cake
- Era: 1990s
One of the best desserts served in many American restaurants is molten chocolate cake. This lovely cake is rich, creamy, and perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Although a popular dish in the United States, the history of molten chocolate cake is short, starting in the 1980s. There is a long debate though over who invented this delicate chocolate cake. The cake is spongy, soft, and melts in your mouth. At the center, is a delicious chocolate that spills out when cut.
Ice Cream Cake
- Era: 1990s
If you didn’t eat molten chocolate cake for your birthday in the 1990s, you likely had ice cream cake. Nearly all children’s birthday parties had ice cream cakes. Ice cream cakes were popularized in the 1970s by Carvel. They released many different themed ice cream cakes including Fudgie the Whale. Now, ice cream cakes come in many different flavors including Oreo, Ferrero, and Kit Kat.
Pizza Bagels
- Era: 1990s
The 1980s and 1990s were dominated by pizza bagels. They were an easy snack to make and cook. You don’t have to make them from scratch either as they are often frozen and can be baked or microwaved. They really grew in popularity throughout the nation due to Bagel Bites’ many commercials. You can eat pizza bagels as a snack, breakfast, or lunch.
Fruit Smoothies
- Era: 2000s
Fruit smoothies weren’t invented in the 2000s, but this is when they became very popular. From the 1990s, healthier foods were growing in popularity. Drinking fruit smoothies became a trend, especially with access to fruits like dragonfruit and roots like taro.
Cupcakes
- Era: 2000s
Like fruit smoothies, cupcakes are nothing new, but they were everywhere in the 2000s and even throughout the 2010s. There were cupcakes at birthday parties, weddings, gender reveals, and more. Mini cupcakes were especially popular, no matter the flavor. You could easily find vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cream cheese-filled, and red velvet cupcakes. They were even sometimes decorated and cut into shapes and designs.
Candied bacon
- Era: 2000s
Bacon has existed for a long time. But for some reason, during the 2000s, it gained a lot of popularity. Bacon was sold more than ever and was also a popular design. You didn’t have to look too hard to find bacon patterns on shirts, pants, hats, and socks. Bacon was also used in different ways, not just as a popular breakfast item. It was also added to rice dishes or candied. Candied bacon was a popular topping for a few years on cake, ice cream, and even savory dishes like mashed potatoes.
Burrito Bowls
- Era: 2000s
One of the healthy food trends of the last 50 years was burrito bowls. This dish/food trend is basically a burrito, but in a bowl, with the tortilla being optional. It’s a popular item in Chipotle and other Tex-Mex spots. Burrito bowls have continued to gain popularity and are sometimes ordered more than burritos.
Sliders
Homemade Cheeseburger Sliders with Tomato and Lettuce
Homemade Cheeseburger Sliders with Tomato and Lettuce
- Era: 2000s
The last item iconic to the 2000s is sliders. These delicious and small sandwiches/burgers are great party food. Sliders are versatile. They change depending on who makes them. Some people keep it simple and just use cheese and grilled patties. Others though cook chicken and add coleslaw, mayo, and buffalo sauce.
Avocado Toast
- Era: 2010s
The 2010s was a fun time with a lot of different food trends. During this decade, avocados grew in popularity, specifically as a topping on toast. Avocado toast was everywhere, sold for a high profit in many brunch and breakfast spots. Still, avocado toast has been around a lot longer and was common in some restaurant menus beginning in the 1990s.
Pumpkin Spice
- Era: 2010s
Seasonal flavors are a weakness for many. One of the most popular seasonal flavors is pumpkin spice, which mixes pumpkin and cinnamon, along with other sweet spices. Pumpkin spice was all the range in the 2010s and continues to be popular today. You can find pumpkin spice coffee, cake, donuts, candles, and more. Pumpkin spice is a fall favorite flavor.
Ramen
- Era: 2010s
Ramen is another dish that was very popular in the 2010s, for multiple reasons. With the rise of the internet and accessibility, more people were watching anime and interested in eating foods from other cultures. Starting from the 1990s, ramen shops started opening up throughout the United States. You can also find instant ramen from hundreds of brands in many grocery and convenience stores.
Sushi-Based Foods
- Era: 2010s
Sushi is one thing, but have you ever had a sushi burger? What about a sushi burrito? During the 2010s, there was a rise in fusion foods, specifically Asian fusion foods with sushi as a base. Restaurants started opening up that combined sushi with American foods, like burritos and burgers.
Kale
- Era: 2010s
Another food trend that emerged in the 2010s and continues into the 2020s is the use of kale and not just as a green in salads. During the 2010s, many smoothie places were also using kale in their drinks. This nutritious leafy green was also in many pasta dishes and packaged foods like kale chips.
Dalgona Coffee
- Era: 2020s
This section of the article will be a little limited since the 2020s isn’t even at its halfway point. One trend though is Dalgona Coffee, which appeared in many coffee shops around the world after the release of “Squid Games”. This creamy and sweet coffee is refreshing!
Airfried Food
- Era: 2020s
Air-fried food can be considered both a 2010 and 2020 trend, but it really grew in use more recently. There are countless air-frying cookbooks and recipes to make. Some ovens now even come with an air frying feature. You can make anything from pork chops to fries and tofu.
Charcuterie Boards
- Era: 2020s
Cheese and charcuterie boards also gained a lot of attention in 2020 due to social media. People were showcasing their delicious homemade cheese boards, including the crackers, cheeses, meats, and jams used.
Plant-Based Foods
- Era: 2020s
Plant-based food has been popular for a few decades now, but the 2020s is when the food trend was everywhere! Plant-based foods from brands like Beyond Meat are featured in many TV shows and documentaries. Many fast food chains also started selling plant-based burgers and nuggets, including Burger King. (Check out these 30 old-fashioned dishes that deserve a comeback).