STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center explores the future of flavor with a look into some of the 2025 food trends.
The culinary landscape is buzzing with new trends, some familiar and others emerging as frontrunners in the industry. Social media has played a powerful role, catapulting certain foods to popularity overnight or giving them a steady rise over recent years. In anticipation of the new year, the Food and Agricultural Products Center has highlighted the trends likely to shape plates in the coming months.
“Consumers crave products that add value to their lives and can keep up with their busy schedules,” said Andrea Graves, Food and Agricultural Products Center business planning and marketing specialist. “Food manufacturers need to know what their consumers want now and in the future to fill that demand and generate sales.”
The following concepts are food trends to watch for in 2025.
Sweet and heat: Combination foods with a sweet-andheat profile – like pepper jellies, preserves and salsas – are all the rage. Made in Oklahoma companies such as Kayterra Farms, Sixth Day Snacks, Southern Roots Sisters and Suan Foods offer products that will satisfy a sweet tooth while giving a pleasant kick to elevate your dishes.
Homemade bread: Homemade bread, a fan favorite in recent years, will continue to be a staple in many homes, with new recipes and ingredients that add nutritional value and offer different flavor profiles. Homemade bread allows for the customization of ingredients, and kneading the dough can be a great way to relax. Oklahomans can take advantage of this trend by using locally produced flour from Shawnee Milling or Chisholm Trail Milling.
Protein: With the rise of various specialized diets, many will focus on increasing protein intake to help with weight management and energy levels. Great sources of protein include eggs, seafood, milk, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, lean beef, chicken, oats and beans. Kize Concepts, based out of Oklahoma City, offers high-quality protein bars to give an extra boost throughout the day.
Beverages with function: Some days it’s hard to consume all the necessary vitamins, gut health supplements and minerals, but now some drinks include them. Brands like Olipop, Poppi and Hint Water offer healthier, more fun beverages. Olipop and Poppi are changing the soda world with less sugar, fewer calories and prebiotics. Hint Water is making water fun with an infusion of real fruit, vitamins and minerals. Shake UR Greens, based in Oklahoma County, offers cold pressed green juices to help with daily fruit and vegetable intake.
The Food and Agricultural Products Center has supported many local companies that produce trending food products. See the list at www. madeinoklahoma.net and www.miocoalition.com.
The Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center, a part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, helps to discover, develop and deliver technical and business information that will stimulate and support the growth of value- added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma.
