Tiktok has become a bottomless pit of all the latest trends. From clothes to makeup to food, it can become overwhelming to decipher what’s worth your time. Let’s be realistic— as college students, we rarely have the time to compose balanced meals, let alone make them enjoyable. Unless you’re willing to try every viral trend you come across, there aren’t many ways to avoid the misses. Fortunately, I have you covered when it comes to food! As a self-proclaimed foodie, I have tried many of the viral TikTok food trends– here are some of the must-haves!
(Mango) Ice Cream Fruit Roll-Ups
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8rkE3Wc/
These crunchy treats are perfect for a warm day, especially the ones we’ve been having lately. If you haven’t tried or seen this trend before today, you’re probably wondering how two soft ingredients make a crunchy treat. Once you wrap the fruit roll-up around the scoop of ice cream, the external layer hardens, producing a delicious crunch outside of a soft, creamy center. This combination of textures is comparable to a cookie, but with a fruity twist. While the original recipe calls for mango ice cream, whatever your preferred flavor is will work just as well.
Tip: Even though any flavor of ice cream would work, I do recommend using a fruity flavor or vanilla to complement the fruit roll-up.
Chamoy Pickle (Kit)
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8rkso3j/
I’m sure you’ve seen this trend all over your FYP if you’ve been on TikTok at all this month. It’s likely you’ve seen it so many times that you’re tired of hearing about it— maybe even reluctant to try, but just hear me out! The kits you see advertised on TikTok aren’t the only way to try the viral chamoy pickle. Although I haven’t purchased the kit (and don’t plan on it), I’ve tried many chamoy pickles. The best thing about this sour snack is its versatility. There are endless ingredients to make a chamoy pickle— most of which you probably already have. As long as you maintain the base (a pickle, hot chips, sour candy, and chamoy), the rest is subject to preference!
Tip: I like to sprinkle tajin and lime juice over top to make it slightly more sour.
Pizza Fries
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8rkVseR/
This trend is older than all of the others— already having had its viral moment. Nonetheless, it’s one of the more notable considering it has potential to be a meal (or at least part of it). While traditional pizza is already fantastic as is, pizza fries are even better! This viral trend takes two existing delicious foods and mixes them together, resulting in a blend of savory goodness. Every fry will be covered in the ideal amount of cheese and sauce (if you follow the video’s layering instructions), allowing the perfect balance for every bite. Plus, you can always add additional toppings to make your version of the “perfect bite” (IYKYK).
Tip: This would be an easy, cheap meal idea for a party with a larger group of friends/family.
Big-Mac Smash Tacos
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8rkvLwA/
My favorite viral food trend from this list and year is definitely the Big-Mac tacos. Since I’m a big fan of Big-Macs, I expected to like this, but even if you aren’t, I’d recommend giving it a try! Like the previous mention, this food trend satisfies as a meal. Similar to traditional tacos, there’s no limits to how many of these you can scarf down. The first time I tried them, I lost count of how many I ate because they were just so good! Substituting the bun for a shell introduces a crunchy texture that is often mimicked (at least to the best of its ability) by toasting a bun.
Tip: If you choose to make these tacos into a meal, take the more traditional route of pairing them with fries or a salad (like a burger) instead of refried beans and/or rice (like a taco).
Honorable Mention: Girl Dinner
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8rktJFV/
I’ve already told you about my favorite viral food trend, but my most tried is definitely “girl dinner.” In short, girl dinner is an assortment of any random ingredients/sides (cheese, fruit, mashed potatoes, etc.) that form a meal. Based on this description, I’d classify this as “college-student dinner,” but I digress. Girl dinner has become wildly popular this year for its relatability. Sometimes we just can’t be bothered putting together cohesive meals, or maybe we don’t have the time. Regardless of your reason for having a girl dinner, just make sure you’re still getting the necessary nutrition!
Tip: Try incorporating each of the five food groups (fruit, grain, dairy, vegetable, protein) into your next girl dinner for a more balanced meal!