Pastry and baking trends are shifting again in 2026, and the category is expanding faster than ever as consumers explore new flavors, textures, and techniques. The latest Tastewise data, drawn from more than 150,000 people, 450,000+ social posts, and nearly 55,000 baking recipes, reveals what’s baking in consumer conversations and restaurant menus around the world. Despite a 9.38% year-over-year drop in overall pastry chatter online, there’s no shortage of creativity, innovation, or demand for baked goods. From nostalgic bread revivals to modern sweet and savory mashups, the baked category continues to evolve and reshape the food industry.
What’s most interesting is that people aren’t just eating differently, they’re choosing baked items to satisfy emotional needs. Comfort, novelty, health, and craftsmanship all play a role in how baking continues to shape the future of food.
Want the complete picture of what is coming in 2026? Get the full food trends forecast guide and explore the data, insights, and opportunities driving the industry forward.
10 pastry trends shaping 2025
These are the baking trends showing the strongest momentum in menus, recipes, and social media, and are led by an unexpected global favorite.
Kataifi
This shredded filo-based dessert is up 298% in social mentions. Its delicate threads allow for beautiful, textural baked goods that merge tradition with modern aesthetics. Expect more Middle Eastern influences across bakeries around the world.
Cruffins
Part croissant, part muffin, cruffins bridge indulgence and convenience. With a 224% YoY menu increase, they satisfy the need for elevated “quick treats” while supporting the ongoing rise of hybrid baking trends.
Paris Brest
The choux-based classic continues its renaissance. Its 62X correlation index with hazelnut, almond paste, and chocolate shows how traditional French baking continues to inspire modern product development.
Cake pops
Up 386% on menus, cake pops thrive thanks to portability, portion control, and viral recipe formats online. They embody the intersection of craft, visual appeal, and quick-snacking culture.
Chocolate pistachio everything
A top-performing flavor combination, chocolate-pistachio blends indulgence with sophistication. It fits perfectly within the sweet and savory flavor wave sweeping cafés and bakeries.
Fig jam fillings
Up 62% YoY, fig jam is gaining traction as a refined alternative to fruit compotes. It complements everything from puff pastry twists to artisan bread bakes, creating depth and natural sweetness.
Speculoos revival
Menu mentions are up 184%. This nostalgic cookie spread is showing up in frostings, brioche centers, cake fillings, and layered baked goods that balance spice with comfort.
Sweet-salty mashups
“Swalty” is everywhere. Combinations like miso-caramel, brie-honey, and maple-sea salt introduce global nuance into familiar bases. These baking trends show how the category is embracing cross-cultural influence around the world.
Healthier indulgence
Consumer needs such as “baked” (27% share) and “homemade” (15%) remain powerful. Gluten-free waffles, fruit-focused toppings, and better-for-you ingredient swaps show how baking is evolving to merge health with pleasure.
Roast coffee pairings
With roast profiles up 88%, coffee continues shaping bakery innovation. Espresso-infused ganache, mocha glazes, and bean terroir–inspired fillings highlight how baked goods and coffee trends move together.
What’s driving these pastry trends?
TBeyond aesthetic trends, baking is entering a new era of personalization. Consumers want food that reflects culture, comfort, and creativity. Across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, creators are redefining what baked goods can be, from laminated dough experiments to savory danishes filled with seasonal ingredients.
We’re also seeing resurgence in foundational baking skills, particularly bread. Sourdough, Japanese milk bread, and naturally fermented loaves continue to grow as people reconnect with slow baking at home. Meanwhile, commercial bakeries are focusing on small-batch production, premium inclusions, and multi-texture storytelling.
The role of consumer data platforms in predicting what’s next
Tastewise data shows that consumer demand is rooted in emotion. Top motivations include indulgence, comfort, warmth, craftsmanship, and sensory novelty. Even with pastry chatter slightly down, interest in baking techniques, laminated dough tutorials, and baked goods hacks continues climbing.
Social-first content drives much of the discovery cycle. Media formats like overhead baking POVs, viral recipes, and bakery “aesthetic tours” influence what people want to taste next. Immersive content, ASMR folding, butter layering, or sourdough stretching, fuels curiosity around the world.
Dessert and cake trends continue to shape product development
Sweet categories remain dominant. Cake trends still command 33% of social share across desserts. That includes birthday cake, chocolate cake, and new players like bento cakes. Visual appeal and novelty drive engagement. The bento cake boom (up 245% in 2024) is a good example, it’s fun, customizable, and perfectly Instagrammable.
On the flavor side, dessert trends are leaning global and nostalgic. Alfajores and dacquoise are growing, while ingredients like pandan (+47%) and tahini (+95%) reflect expanding palates. TikTok has fueled recipe discovery, where sweet-savory combos often go viral.
Why do pastry and coffee trends work so well together?
Bakery menus and coffee menus are now blending more than ever. Latte-flavored fillings, espresso-glazed croissants, and tiramisu-inspired offerings are showing up on both sides of the counter. Iced lattes saw 338% menu growth, while coffee itself holds a strong 17% social share.
Pairings matter here. Chocolate and coffee remain top duo choices. But roast coffee’s rise is pushing more nuanced pairings, think single-origin flavors and pastry fusions inspired by bean terroir.
Final thoughts
There’s no single direction for baking in 2026, but one thing is clear: baking trends continue to evolve through global inspiration, social influence, and emotional connection. As people search for comfort, novelty, and creativity, brands that use real-time data to act quickly will win. Pastries and baked goods aren’t just part of the meal, they are shaping how the future of food feels, tastes, and delights consumers around the world.
FAQs about pastry and baking trends
Cake, bread, cookies, and hybrid baked formats like cruffins and crookies lead demand. Items blending sweet and savory elements are trending up across markets.
Bakeries use TikTok and Instagram as real-time testing grounds. Viral baking recipes often become menu specials, and visual storytelling influences what consumers crave next.
Yes, alternative flours, reduced-sugar formulas, sourdough viennoiserie, and fruit-forward fillings are growing fast as consumers look for baked goods that feel indulgent but balanced.
