Viral Recipes & Food Trends: How to Dominate FoodTok

Posted on 26th Feb, 2025.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

FoodTok is the TikTok home of all things food, including recipes, eating shows, and restaurant and product reviews.
FoodTok is popular because it combines food with entertainment and gives people inspiration on what to eat and how to make it.
Tips to go viral on FoodTok include using great lighting, putting a unique twist on food trends, and starting with a compelling hook.
Read on for more tips!

There are many niches in TikTok, but FoodTok is undoubtedly one of the most popular. After all, you've heard the saying that people 'eat with their eyes'. While FoodTok is extremely popular, it's also highly saturated, which means you have to create incredible content in order to stand out and gain lots of views.

Luckily, we've put together a guide on creating unique FoodTok content that will get your followers' mouths salivating. Let's get into it.

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Why is FoodTok So Popular?

FoodTok thrives because it combines two things people love - food and entertainment. TikTok’s short-form videos make recipes easy to digest (pun intended) and visually engaging. Whether it’s a satisfying cheese pull, a colourful smoothie bowl, or a high-stakes cooking challenge, the platform provides endless inspiration.

Beyond aesthetics, FoodTok fosters community engagement. Users recreate recipes, put their own spin on viral trends, and interact through duets and stitches, making it a fun, safe space for food enthusiasts. Likewise, cooking videos on FoodTok provide viewers with visual help creating a recipe. Unlike cookbooks, which often don't even include a photo, the visual elements of TikTok makes recipes more memorable.

How to Create Viral Food Content

Follow our top tips to create viral content that attracts followers.

1. Make it Visually Appealing

You eat with your eyes, so while the presentation of food isn't everything, it has to look aesthetically pleasing to go viral on TikTok. Use natural lighting and focus on close-ups on the satisfying texture. Sizzling food with steam coming off it always looks appealing, too! Squeezing creamy foods or pulling your mozzarella sticks for a cheese pull can create a type of visual ASMR that keeps viewers watching.

2. Start a New Trend

While following trends is great for growth, creating them is even better. If you're running out of ideas, you can repurpose an existing trend. Flights - like egg flights - are currently a hot trend, for example, so try creating flights on a new type of food to go viral.

3. Use the Right Hashtags

Using hashtags and keywords can help your content get seen, and people looking for recipes will be more likely to come across yours. Some popular FoodTok hashtags include: #FoodTok #TikTokRecipes #EasyMeals #HomeCooking #Foodie #AirFryerRecipes #Baking.

4. Nail Your Hook Immediately

Capturing your audience’s attention within the first few seconds is crucial on TikTok. With so much content competing for views, your hook needs to be strong enough to stop users from scrolling. The best way to do this is by immediately showing something visually striking, such as a close-up of the final dish, a dramatic cheese pull, or an unusual ingredient.

5. Consider Dietary Requirements

You can niche down even further by focusing in on a type of food within FoodTok, such as vegan, gluten-free, protein-rich or healthy food. By catering to different dietary needs you can attract a more engaged and appreciative following. Plus, offering alternatives for common allergens, such as using oat milk instead of dairy or almond flour instead of wheat flour, makes your content more inclusive.

6. Make it Easy to Follow

TikTok’s short-form nature means recipes need to be simple and easy to follow. Overcomplicated steps or long-winded explanations can cause viewers to lose interest. Instead, break down recipes into clear, concise steps with smooth transitions to maintain engagement and ensure your recipes are foolproof.

7. Add Personality

Beyond just showcasing recipes, adding personality to your videos makes your content stand out in the crowded FoodTok space. Whether it’s through humour, storytelling, or a unique editing style, using your own authentic voice and style in your content helps build a recognisable brand and differentiate you from others in the same niche.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to go viral on TikTok with food?

Going viral on TikTok is possible through a combination of eye-catching visuals, great recipes, and hot takes on emerging trends. The first few seconds of your video are crucial, so starting with a strong hook will help grab attention. Use great lighting and close-up shots of creamy and textured foods to get your viewers' mouths watering.

How popular are food videos on TikTok?

Food content is one of the most popular niches on TikTok, with billions of views under hashtags like #FoodTok, #Recipe, and #CookingHacks. People love watching quick, engaging recipes, unique food trends, and satisfying cooking techniques. TikTok can also make it easier for beginners to learn how to cook, with concise visual aids making it as simple as possible to follow along.

What food is trending on TikTok?

The trending food on TikTok changes almost daily, so continue to scroll through your FYP to keep track of the next big thing. As of 2025, trends include flights, hot honey, butter boards, and unusual flavour pairings. Recipes that use air fryers are also growing in popularity. Overall, people come to TikTok for easy meal inspiration - healthy dinners they can make in half an hour or less.

Our top tips will help you establish a presence in the FoodTok niche, but if you're not sure this is the niche for you, don't worry! Our ultimate guide to TikTok niches will help you find the right one.