During the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok emerged as more than just an entertainment platform—it became a hub for food creativity. With people stuck at home and looking for fun, easy recipes, dishes like Dalgona coffee, cloud bread, and baked feta pasta went viral. These recipes were simple to make, visually striking, and perfect for sharing online, which helped millions of people cope with lockdown boredom.
Here’s a roundup of TikTok food trends during COVID that captured global attention and remain popular for home cooking.
1. Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee became a global sensation in early 2020. Its whipped, frothy coffee atop milk was both aesthetically pleasing and delicious—a perfect quarantine beverage.
Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp instant coffee
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp hot water
- Ice and milk
- Instructions:
- Whisk instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until thick and frothy.
- Fill a glass with milk and ice.
- Spoon the whipped coffee on top and serve.
Tip: Add cocoa powder or caramel for extra flavor.
2. Cloud Bread
Cloud bread became viral during lockdown due to its fluffy texture and colorful, Instagram-worthy appearance. It’s a low-effort recipe that made home baking fun for beginners.
Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 30 g sugar
- 10 g cornstarch
- Food coloring (optional)
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F).
- Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding sugar and cornstarch.
- Fold in a few drops of food coloring.
- Spoon mounds onto parchment paper and bake for 25 minutes.
Tip: Make mini clouds for sandwiches or tea-time treats.
3. Baked Feta Pasta
Baked feta pasta was one of the most popular quarantine recipes on TikTok in 2020. It was easy, comforting, and required minimal ingredients.
Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 200 g cherry tomatoes
- 200 g block feta cheese
- Olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic
- 250 g pasta
- Instructions:
- Place cherry tomatoes and feta in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, season, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 30 minutes.
- Boil pasta until al dente.
- Mix baked tomatoes and feta with pasta and serve.
Tip: Add fresh basil or chili flakes for extra flavor.
4. Cloud Eggs
Cloud eggs became a viral breakfast trend during lockdown, combining fluffiness and an aesthetic appeal for social media posts.
Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: shredded cheese, herbs
- Instructions:
- Separate yolks and whites. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Spoon whipped whites onto a baking sheet, create a well in the center, and bake at 230°C (450°F) for 3 minutes.
- Add yolk to the well and bake for 2–3 minutes more.
Tip: Sprinkle cheese or paprika before baking for extra flavor.
5. Whipped Strawberry Milk
A quarantine favorite, whipped strawberry milk offered a sweet, fruity alternative to Dalgona coffee.
Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 100 g fresh strawberries
- 50 g sugar
- 150 ml cold milk
- Instructions:
- Blend strawberries with sugar until smooth.
- Whip with a hand mixer until thick and creamy.
- Pour over cold milk and enjoy.
Tip: Freeze whipped strawberries for a milkshake-style drink.
Why TikTok Food Trends Went Viral During COVID
Several factors made TikTok food trends popular during the pandemic:
- Easy to make at home: Many recipes required few ingredients and little equipment.
- Visual appeal: Bright colors and creative textures were ideal for TikTok videos.
- Community engagement: Users created remix recipes and shared videos, creating a sense of connection during isolation.
TikTok turned home kitchens into creative spaces, helping people find joy in food while stuck at home.
Conclusion
During COVID-19 lockdowns, TikTok food trends offered a mix of comfort, creativity, and entertainment. Recipes like Dalgona coffee, cloud bread, baked feta pasta, cloud eggs, and whipped strawberry milk provided a fun way to experiment in the kitchen while sharing visually appealing content online. These trends reflect how social media shaped home cooking during one of the most challenging times in recent history.
Whether for nostalgia or experimentation, these viral recipes are worth trying—even after the pandemic—to bring a little TikTok magic into your kitchen.
Citations & References
- TikTok Food Trends During COVID-19 — BBC Good Food: Discusses viral recipes like Dalgona coffee and cloud bread. (bbcgoodfood.com)
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/tiktok-food-trends - How TikTok Changed Home Cooking During Lockdown — Forbes: Examines the role of TikTok in creating food trends during COVID-19. (forbes.com)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-food/2020/05/15/tiktok-food-trends-during-covid/ - The Best TikTok Recipes of the Pandemic — Eater: Highlights the top viral dishes that gained popularity during lockdown. (eater.com)
https://www.eater.com/2020/4/20/21227997/tiktok-food-recipes-2020-pandemic-dalgona-coffee-cloud-bread
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