Like many of you, I’ve found myself spending way too much time scrolling through TikTok videos during the pandemic. While mindless entertainment was needed during those long lockdown days, I have to admit that TikTok became an unexpected source of cooking inspiration for me!
From food trends and creative recipe hacks to just watching people enthusiastically enjoying delicious meals, TikTok reignited my passion for trying new dishes. I found myself jotting down ideas and ingredients from the viral video recipes that caught my eye.
After plenty of experimental cooking adventures in my kitchen, I’ve compiled this list of 30 must-try dinner ideas that took TikTok by storm. Some stuck to the original recipes, while others are my spins after putting a personal twist on the trends.
Fair warning – many of these went insanely viral for a reason! The baked feta pasta, tortilla wrap hacks, and crispy vegan “chicken” made from frozen potatoes instantly became new family favorites. But we also couldn’t get enough of the fun, indulgent treats like twisted bacon bread, nacho tables (yes, tables!), and those creamy whipped hot chocolate bombs.
I’ve provided all the key ingredients, tips, and techniques needed to recreate that TikTok magic in your kitchen. But don’t just follow my lead – use these viral recipes as a launching point for your culinary experiments! I can’t wait to see what innovative dishes emerge as the next big TikTok food trends.
1. Baked Feta Pasta
Tangy, creamy, garlicky, herby
Ingredients: Feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, pasta
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Place feta in an oven-safe dish and top with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic
- Bake for 35 minutes until feta is softened and tomatoes have burst
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions
- Remove feta mixture from oven, add cooked pasta and basil, toss to combine Cook Time: 45 minutes
2. Tortilla Wrap Hacks
Taste: Customizable based on fillings, satisfying, portable
Ingredients: Tortillas/wraps, protein, veggies, cheese, sauces
- Layer tortilla with desired fillings like meat, cheese, veggies
- Fold sides over fillings and roll tightly into a wrap
- Heat a skillet/panini press and grill wrap for 2-3 minutes per side until golden Cook Time: 10 minutes
3. Pasta Chips
Taste: Crunchy, salty, addictive Ingredients: Cooked pasta, olive oil, seasoning
- Boil pasta until very al dente, drain and pat completely dry
- Toss pasta with olive oil and seasonings
- Spread in a single layer on baking sheets
- Bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden brown Cook Time: 20 minutes
5. Cloud Bread
Taste: Light, airy, slightly eggy
Ingredients: Eggs, cream cheese, cream of tartar
- Separate egg whites and yolks into two bowls
- Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form
- In another bowl, mix yolks with cream cheese
- Gently fold yolk mixture into whites
- Scoop mounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets
- Bake at 300°F for 25-30 minutes until lightly golden Cook Time: 35 minutes
6. Vegan Chicken from Frozen Potatoes
Taste: Savory, crispy, meat-like texture
Ingredients: Frozen potatoes, plant-based milk, hot sauce, breadcrumbs, spices
- Soak frozen potato rounds in milk/hot sauce mixture for 30 mins
- Drain and coat in seasoned breadcrumb mixture
- Bake at 425°F for 20 mins, flipping halfway, until crispy Cook Time: 1 hour
6. Pesto Eggs
Taste: Herby, nutty, rich, creamy Ingredients: Eggs, pesto, parmesan, butter
- Scramble eggs in a pan with butter
- Remove from heat just before eggs are fully cooked
- Stir in 2-3 tbsp pesto until fully incorporated
- Top with parmesan, salt and pepper Cook Time: 10 minutes
7. Hot Honey Pizza
Taste: Sweet and spicy, savory, decadent Ingredients: Pizza dough, tomato sauce, cheese, hot honey (honey, chili flakes)
- Roll/stretch out pizza dough and prebake crust for 5 minutes
- Top with sauce, cheese and desired toppings
- Bake at 450°F for 10-15 minutes until crust is crispy
- Drizzle with hot honey before serving
Cook Time: 30 minutes
8. Cruise Ship Panini Press Sandwiches
Taste: Gooey, melty, crispy, indulgent Ingredients: Sandwich bread, deli meats, cheese, condiments
- Layer sandwich fillings between 2 slices of bread
- Brush outside of sandwich with butter or spray with oil
- Cook in a panini press for 3-5 minutes until crispy and melty Cook Time: 10 minutes
9. Twisted Bacon Bread
Taste: Savory, salty, smoky, cheesy
Ingredients: Bacon, cheese, pizza dough
- Cook bacon until crispy then finely chop
- Roll out dough into a large rectangle
- Top with bacon and cheese
- Carefully roll up dough then twist into a spiral
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 mins until deep golden brown Cook Time: 1 hour
10. Nacho Tables
Taste: Fully loaded, indulgent, cheesy, crunchy
Ingredients: Tortilla chips, ground meat, beans, cheeses, salsas, guacamole, etc.
- Layer tortilla chips on a table or tray
- Top with layers of ground meat, refried beans, shredded cheeses
- Broil for 2-3 mins until cheese is melty
- Top with desired nacho fixin’s like salsa, guac, jalapeños Cook Time: 25 minutes
11. Snickerdoodle Bread
Taste: Sweet, cinnamon-y, dense and rich
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cream of tartar, cinnamon
- Cream together butter and sugars
- Mix in eggs one at a time, then dry ingredients
- Pour half the batter into a greased loaf pan
- Sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mixture
- Pour in remaining batter, swirl with a knife
- Bake at 350°F for 60-75 minutes until a tester inserted comes out clean Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
12. Blended Lemonade
Taste: Refreshing, sweet, tart, smooth
Ingredients: Lemons, sugar, water, ice
- Zest and juice lemons, removing seeds
- In a blender, combine lemon juice/zest, sugar and water
- Blend until sugar dissolves completely
- Add ice cubes and blend until smooth and frosty Cook Time: 10 minutes
13. Birria Tacos
Taste: Richly spiced, beefy, saucy, slightly crispy
Ingredients: Beef chuck roast, chili peppers, spices, beef broth, tortillas
- Sear beef and sauté with spices and broth, simmer until fork-tender
- Shred beef and mix with cooking liquid to make birria
- Dip tortillas in birria then fry or griddle until crispy
- Fill tortillas with shredded beef, onions, cilantro, cheese Cook Time: 3-4 hours
14. Stuffed Crust Pizza
Taste: Cheesy, indulgent, savory, garlicky
Ingredients: Pizza dough, string cheese, garlic butter, desired toppings
- Roll dough into a large circle, arrange string cheese around the edges
- Fold and pinch edges of dough up and over the string cheese
- Par-bake crust for 5-7 minutes
- Top crust with desired sauces, cheeses and toppings
- Bake at 450°F for 10-15 mins until crust is crispy Cook Time: 30 minutes
15. Charcuterie Chalets
Taste: Variety of flavors, savory, creamy, crunchy
Ingredients: Meats, cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, crackers, chocolate, sweets
- Construct small chalets/cabins from crackers, breadsticks and snack items
- Fill in gaps with deli meats, cheeses, nuts, dried fruits
- Decorate with chocolate, fresh herbs, small candies Cook Time: 1 hour
16. Vegan Ribs from Carrots
Taste: Smoky, sweet, sticky, chewy
Ingredients: Carrots, bbq sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, liquid smoke
- Peel and slice carrots into rib-like shapes
- Toss with a marinade of bbq sauce, maple, spices
- Bake at 400°F for 30 mins, basting occasionally
- Broil for 2-3 mins to get a slight char
Cook Time: 45 minutes
17. Dalgona Candy Honeycomb
Taste: Sweet, crunchy, light and airy
Ingredients: Sugar, baking soda, water
- Melt sugar in a saucepan with water until amber colored
- Remove from heat and whisk in baking soda quickly
- Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let set Cook Time: 15 minutes
18. Butter Board
Taste: Rich, creamy, customizable
Ingredients: Softened butter, fresh herbs, seasonings, breads
- Spread softened butter onto a wooden board or tray
- Top with desired seasonings like flakey salt, herbs, honey, etc.
- Serve with an assortment of breads for dipping/smearing Cook Time: 10 minutes
19. Salmon Rice Bowl
Taste: Savory, umami, fresh, healthy
Ingredients: Salmon filets, rice, veggies, avocado, teriyaki sauce
- Bake or air fry salmon until cooked through
- Cook rice according to package instructions
- Prep veggies like edamame, cucumber, shredded carrots
- Assemble bowls with rice, salmon, veggies, avocado
- Drizzle with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds Cook Time: 30 minutes
20. Hasselback Potato Bake
Taste: Crispy, creamy, buttery, savory
Ingredients: Potatoes, butter, cream, garlic, herbs, cheese
- Slice potatoes about 3/4 of the way through into thin fans
- Place potatoes in a baking dish and brush with melted butter/herb mixture
- Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes
- Remove from oven and carefully fan out potato slices
- Pour cream/garlic mixture over the top, sprinkle with cheese
- Return to oven and bake 30 more minutes until potatoes are crispy on edges Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
21. Grated Egg Avocado Toast
Taste: Creamy, savory, nutrient-dense
Ingredients: Avocado, eggs, toast, everything bagel seasoning
- Mash avocado and spread onto toasted bread
- Grate hard boiled eggs over the top
- Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning
- Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste Cook Time: 10 minutes
22. Crispy Parmesan Chicken
Taste: Crispy, cheesy, tender chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, eggs, parmesan, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning
- Pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness
- Dip chicken in egg then coat in parmesan-breadcrumb mixture
- Pan fry in oil for 3-4 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through Cook Time: 20 minutes
23. Tater Tot Hotdish
Taste: Cheesy, bacony, comforting
Ingredients: Tater tots, ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, cheese, bacon
- Brown ground beef and cook with seasonings
- Mix beef with soup, milk, frozen tater tots and cheese
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with more cheese and bacon
- Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until hot and bubbly Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
24. Whipped Hot Chocolate Bombs
Taste: Rich, creamy, decadent, chocolatey
Ingredients: Chocolate, heavy cream, milk, marshmallows
- Melt chocolate and cream together until smooth
- Transfer to a bowl and beat with a hand mixer until light and fluffy
- Scoop mixture into sphere molds and freeze until set
- To serve, heat milk and drop a bomb into it to reveal marshmallows inside
Cook Time: 15 minutes (plus freezing time)
25. Elote Mexican Street Corn
Taste: Sweet, savory, creamy, smoky
Ingredients: Corn on the cob, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, lime
- Grill or boil corn until tender
- Mix mayo, cheese, spices and lime juice
- Slather corn with the creamy mixture
- Sprinkle with extra cheese, chili powder, cilantro Cook Time: 20 minutes
26. Homemade Pop-Tarts
Taste: Flaky, fruity, sweet, nostalgic
Ingredients: Pie dough, jam/fruit filling, egg wash, sugar
- Roll out dough into rectangles, dollop filling onto one half
- Fold opposite side over and crimp edges to seal
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar
- Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden
Cook Time: 45 minutes
27. Juicy Air Fryer Steak
Taste: Tender, beefy, flavorful crust
Ingredients: Steak, oil, steak seasoning/rub
- Pat steaks dry and coat with oil and seasoning
- Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing against the grain Cook Time: 25 minutes
28. Chili Crisp Roasted Potatoes
Taste: Spicy, crispy, addictive
Ingredients: Potatoes, oil, chili crisp sauce
- Cut potatoes into bite-sized chunks
- Toss with oil and spread on baking sheets
- Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, tossing occasionally
- Toss hot potatoes with a few spoonfuls of chili crisp sauce Cook Time: 40 minutes
29. Breakfast Tacos
Taste: Savory, eggy, loaded with goodies
Ingredients: Eggs, tortillas, cheese, salsa, avocado, bacon/sausage
- Scramble eggs with desired fillings like cheese, meat, veggies
- Warm tortillas and fill with the scrambled egg mixture
- Top with salsa, avocado, hot sauce, etc.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
30. Cheesy Garlic Galette Rolls
Taste: Garlicky, buttery, cheesy, pull-apart goodness
Ingredients: Pizza dough, garlic butter, parmesan, mozzarella
- Roll out dough into a circle and cut into wedges
- Brush wedges with garlic butter and stack, sprinkling cheese between layers
- Form into a roll and place in a greased pan
- Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until deep golden brown Cook Time: 1 hour
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the real beauty of TikTok food trends is how they inspire creativity and fun in the kitchen. These 30 viral recipes opened up a whole new world of experimental cooking for me and my family.
From whimsical creations like charcuterie chalets and cloud bread, to ingenious vegan swaps like carrot “ribs” and potato “chicken” nuggets, TikTok challenged us to think outside the box. We got reacquainted with making simple comforts like stuffed crust pizza and cruise ship-style paninis feel special again.
More than just following viral recipe videos, I’ve learned to make those TikTok money shots my own. Don’t have time for the perfect twisted bacon bread? Roll up that cheesy, bacony filling in pizza dough for an easier version. Ran out of hot honey for that pizza? Drizzle it with a mix of honey and your favorite hot sauce instead.