The Pumpkin Spice Dynasty is Cracking
Let me tell you something shocking – pumpkin spice might finally be losing its crown. After 20 years of absolute autumn domination, the flavor that launched a thousand lattes is facing serious competition. The same Millennials who were largely responsible for its meteoric rise after Starbucks debuted the first Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) in 2003 are now ready for a change after two decades of pumpkin spice dominance. Tania Cienfuegos Harris, pastry chef at Hotel Hartness and Patterson Kitchen + Bar in Greenville, South Carolina says “Pumpkin spice doesn’t feel original anymore”. It’s everywhere now, from dog treats to deodorant, and honestly, we’re getting a little bored.
Salted Maple: The Sweet Rebellion
Salted maple is being predicted as the next flavor of fall, similar to salted caramel, this salty-sweet flavor has been spotted at Trader Joe’s, in the cereal aisle, and in compound butters. Think about it – maple syrup harvesting happens in fall, making it naturally seasonal without feeling forced. Maple offers a rich, warm sweetness with a distinctive flavor that evokes the cozy, comforting essence of fall and pairs beautifully with many fall ingredients and dishes, from baked goods to savory items. The genius part? A sprinkle of salt is a thoroughly-modern touch that brings this trend into 2024 and balances out the sweetness in the syrup. I’ve been seeing it in everything from lattes to roasted vegetables.
Caramel Apple Makes Its Comeback
While everyone was obsessing over pumpkin, caramel apple was quietly building an army. About 37% of Americans are favoring salted caramel and 36% are choosing candy apple, putting them neck and neck with pumpkin spice preferences. Chick-fil-A added a Caramel Crumble Milkshake to its menu for the fall season this year, while Carl’s Jr. is introducing a Salted Caramel Pretzel Shake, capitalizing on a classic sweet and savory combination that is supremely fall. The best part? This flavor combination doesn’t scream “basic fall girl” – it whispers sophisticated autumn vibes.
Hot Honey: The Spicy Sweet Revolution
Here’s where things get interesting – hot honey is adding a spicy buzz to everything from fried chicken to ice cream. The “sweet heat” revolution continues to grow, with flavors like hot honey, maple chipotle, chili-infused chocolates, and spicy barbecue sauces becoming mainstream as consumers embrace diverse spicy profiles paired with fruits or desserts for an adventurous twist. It’s like someone took our childhood love of sweet treats and gave it a grown-up edge. You’ll find hot honey drizzled on pizza, stirred into cocktails, and even swirled into ice cream. This isn’t just a trend – it’s a flavor revolution.
Mushrooms: The Unexpected Fall Star
Restaurant patrons expect to see mushrooms, locally sourced ingredients, hot honey and value meals on menus in 2025, according to a new report from the National Restaurant Association. But why mushrooms in fall? As the market for fake meats appears to be plateauing, amid an increasing wariness of ultra-processed foods, natural alternatives are back on the table — and king oyster mushrooms are ruling the day with their thick stem and meaty texture appealing to chefs. Cooking with mushrooms has been incredibly popular, mainly because their texture makes them a perfect meat substitute and they’re packed with protein and other nutrients, pairing well with tons of other ingredients.
Brown Butter’s Viral Moment
Social media has fallen head over heels for brown butter, and honestly, I get it. Brown butter has gone viral, appearing in everything from donuts to ice cream, celebrated for its nutty, toasted flavor. It’s like butter’s sophisticated older sibling who went to culinary school in France. The nutty, almost caramelized taste adds depth to both sweet and savory dishes without being overwhelming. I’ve seen it in cookies, pasta sauces, and even cocktails. It’s proof that sometimes the best trends come from elevating something simple and familiar.
Korean Fermented Foods Go Mainstream
Remember when kimchi was that weird fermented cabbage thing only adventurous eaters tried? Those days are over. Korean cuisine continues to dominate, with flavors such as kimchi, gochujang (Korean chili paste), Thai chili, and bibimbap gaining widespread appeal as the increasing demand for spicy, fermented, and BBQ flavors reflects a broader appetite for umami-rich and complex taste profiles. The globalization of Korean culture and cuisine is one of the factors driving this demand as the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas rising globally has heightened interest in Korean cuisine among consumers. Pickle-flavored snacks and fermented foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut are emerging as consumer favorites due to their bold, tangy taste and probiotic benefits.
Pistachio Butter: The Pinterest Darling
Here’s something I didn’t see coming – according to Pinterest’s Fall 2024 Trend Report, searches for “pistachio butter” are up 240 percent. The humble nut has a mild, earthy flavor and can be ground into a creamy, luxurious paste that’s like a smoother, richer version of almond butter with uses from drizzling on crostini to stirring into oatmeal or blending into a milkshake. It’s giving expensive European café vibes, and people are here for it. Could the Pinterest report mean that pistachio butter is the new cookie butter? Now we’re talking, people.
Asian-Inspired Sweets Take Over
TikTok has completely changed the sweets game, and Asian-inspired treats are leading the charge. As a major food trend in 2024, the popularity of Asian-inspired sweets is predicted to continue as a food trend through 2025. This viral product alone helped American retailers introduce Korean foods into the mainstream and set the path for a continuation of this sweet trend into 2025, with viral exposure on TikTok for delights like Hwachae, a sweet Korean fruit punch, and tanghulu, fresh fruit encased in a transparent sugar shell. We’re talking about flavors and textures that make Western desserts look boring by comparison. These aren’t just Instagram-worthy – they’re genuinely delicious.
Dynamic Flavor Pairings Replace Single Notes
Here’s what’s really changing the game – we’re moving beyond single flavors to complex combinations. Tracy DeCarlo, Director of Category Solutions at Daymon, a private brand consultant company, notes “we are seeing a shift from brands centering on one key flavor to dynamic pairing profiles, such as from apple to apple cinnamon crisp”. Unique combinations like blueberry-lemon, lime-watermelon, and coconut-strawberry blend familiarity with adventure, as consumers are drawn to unique combinations like smoked vanilla with sea salt, lime-coconut, and blueberry-lemon for an adventurous palate. It’s like our palates are finally growing up and demanding more complexity.
Comfort Food Gets a Global Makeover
Comfort foods are making a comeback, often with new and innovative twists as traditional dishes are being reimagined with novel ingredients, adding a sense of nostalgia and familiarity while also introducing exciting new flavors. We’re seeing Korean-Mexican fusion, Japanese-Italian mashups, and Middle Eastern spices in American classics. Examples include chicken soup, upscale ramen, and Malaysian laksa, while traditional sweet baked goods get a spicy makeover with flavors like chipotle, cayenne, and other hot spices incorporated into cakes, cookies, and pies. It’s comfort food for the globally connected generation.
The Health-Conscious Indulgence Trend
Here’s the fascinating contradiction of modern food trends – we want indulgence, but we also want it to be good for us. Products that merge indulgent flavors with health benefits, such as mushroom-infused chocolate or protein cookie dough, cater to mindful consumers. With a move from the quick and indulgent girl dinner of 2023 and early 2024 to a more ‘demure’ way of living in late 2024, the desire to live and eat in a mindful way is set to be a major lifestyle and food trend well into 2025. We’re not giving up treats – we’re just making them work harder for their place in our diets.
What This All Means for Your Fall Menu
The biggest takeaway? Fall food trends are becoming more sophisticated, more global, and more health-conscious all at once. We’re moving away from the one-size-fits-all pumpkin spice approach to a more diverse, adventurous landscape. This evolution reflects a changing market in which consumers prioritize variety and novelty over tradition and nostalgia, with many retailers and brands already leveraging these shifting preferences as an opportunity to diversify their 2024 fall offerings. The future of fall flavors isn’t about replacing pumpkin spice entirely – it’s about expanding our definition of what autumn can taste like. Whether you’re team salted maple, hot honey, or fermented everything, one thing’s clear: fall just got a whole lot more interesting.
