Chicory’s Bi-Weekly Recipe Trends: Week of 4/27

We’re entering our second month on pause here in New York and rounding out Chicory’s seventh week of working from home. We watched as consumers across the country became at-home bakers, making their own sourdough bread starters and banana breads, then shifting to comforting classics and finally, taking on food trend challenges like Dalgona coffee to mix up their morning routines. All of these trends continue to give us a fascinating glimpse into how consumers are using food in varied and intentional ways, most recently to pass the time, learn new cooking and baking skills and ease anxieties.

But in the past two weeks, traffic patterns within our network indicate a new phase on the food trend front. Americans are moving away from classic comfort foods following Easter, and instead looking to use the food they eat as a form of escapism at home. They’re thinking outside of their comfort (food) zones and using food as a way to explore the world from their homes. (But, yes, everyone is still baking a lot of bread.)

Overall traffic to recipes remains at record highs for us. Easter showed tremendous traffic volume, mimicking Thanksgiving, but it didn’t peak there. Currently, the average Sunday during COVID-19 is reaching levels that match those of Christmas Eve, typically the second-highest trafficked day of the year.

And while traffic has dipped slightly since the Easter high, we expect similar spikes to occur during upcoming holidays that consumers will be spending at home. Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day will likely all serve as occasions to whip up something special in the kitchen, from eggs benedict to enchiladas (and mimosas and margaritas).

Big Breakfasts

The weekends are breakfast’s time to shine, as consumers indulge in family-sized morning meals. We’ve seen bacon, donuts and pancakes gaining popularity, particularly on weekends.. Queries for things like a simple replacement for buttermilk (often used in pancakes) are also on the rise, indicating that while shoppers are interested in a special breakfast, they’re not willing to add an incremental trip to the store to make that happen.

How to Make Perfect Bacon in the Oven

How to Make a Quick & Easy Buttermilk Substitute

How To Make The Easiest Pancakes Ever

How To Make Donuts

International Cooking

Typically, in our list of top 100 recipes, we see lots of classic Americana favorites, like casseroles, lasagna or Crock Pot stew. But in the past two weeks, previously untapped cuisines have surged to the top of our rankings. Consumers are digging deep into their pantries to keep themselves busy and their families enticed, by staying creative and offering a sense of escapism to themselves and their families, who remain cooped up at home.

Hawaiian: Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

Spanish/Mexican: Easy Homemade Churros

French: Easy Crêpes

Polish: Kielbasa Potato Skillet

Filipino: Pandesal

South Korea: Dalgona Coffee

This whipped coffee drink originated in South Korea, but it’s since taken off as a major foodie trend to try while quarantining.

Restaurant Meals at Home

And with consumers missing their go-to orders from their favorite restaurants, they’re taking to making their own versions at home. From takeout-style Chinese to steakhouse-style crab cakes for date night at home, these cooking projects break up the routine and make dinnertime feel a little more special.

Better than Takeout Beef & Broccoli