SHORT-form video social media platform TikTok is a treasure trove of just about anything. But even with so much viral content, it comes as no surprise that food trends are still some of the most searched on the app. Here are eight of the top tried-and-true recipe hacks that have influenced people’s cooking and eating habits the world over:
Pizza Pancakes
The marriage of two items that are already great on their own is something worth trying. For the base, you can opt for gluten-free flours instead of plain flour and blend it with yeast and water to create a smooth pancake batter. Pour it into a pan lightly wiped with oil and flip once it sets. For the sauce, you can stick to the classic tomato or try pesto, all-cheese or even chili. You can have as few or as many toppings as you want now that you have your base and your sauce.
Spicy Pickled Garlic
This is another one of those flavor bombs you wish you knew about sooner. Empty the liquid from your jar of pickled garlic and replace it with your hot sauce of choice, thyme and cayenne or paprika. Cover the jar and shake to mix everything together. What you’ll get is an instant snack or you can also add it to other dishes.
Birria Ramen
If you love it in taco form, then this ramen version will blow your mind too. Think flavorful, tender beef and ramen noodles in a rich, spicy broth. The beef is seared, bathed in a sauce made with chiles, cinnamon, thyme, cloves, salt, pepper, bay leaves and oregano and then slow-cooked until fork-tender. Consomme broth is then made from the spice packet of instant ramen. It has to be piping hot before being ladled onto the dried noodles. Shredded birria is added on top, as well as diced onions, chopped cilantro and a lime wedge, if you please.
Corn Ribs
Upon reading this, you’ll say, “Why?” But this sweet and juicy snack, side or appetizer will then have you thinking, “Why haven’t I thought of this before?” Simply remove corn from the husk and quarter it. In a bowl, mix oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and liquid smoke. Rub the corn with the spiced oil and place in an air fryer in a single layer. Fry on high for 10 minutes or until the corn is tender and the edges are crispy and browned.
Carrot Bacon
TikTokers have claimed that carrot bacon is crispy, smoky, incredibly delicious and easy to make. Thinly sliced carrots are marinated in a mix of maple syrup, liquid smoke, soy sauce and spices for a few minutes and then air-fried or baked in the oven until they’re bubbling like bacon. Feel free to try it with other vegetables too.
Pesto Eggs
Heat the pan like you normally would but instead of adding oil or butter, plop some pesto onto the pan before adding the eggs. Swapping out oil for pesto will not only keep the eggs from sticking to the pan but also lock in a lot of great flavor. This is best served on buttered toast, but you can also smear the toast with goat cheese or ricotta, top it with avocado slices and drizzle with honey.
TikTok Wrap
This quesadilla, club sandwich and panini hybrid is arguably the smartest way to make a wrap as there’s a lesser chance of the filling spilling out. You can even do sweet or savory or both on the four quadrants of the tortilla. You just make a cut from the middle to the bottom, add the ingredients onto each quadrant before folding it up so it becomes a multilayered wedge of all the good stuff. Place in a panini press, or you can also use a pan with a bit of oil. Cut in half and voila!
Baked Feta Pasta
If there’s a shortage of feta in your go-to supermarket, this recipe is to blame. Creamy and bursting with flavor, all it takes are a handful of ingredients. Start by placing and seasoning a block of feta and some cherry tomatoes on a baking dish, leave it in a preheated oven while you cook the pasta and toss everything together. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm! S