From vegan chicken to vegan bacon: the top 5 vegan food trends of 2022

The coronavirus pandemic has led to an unprecedented rise in the popularity of sourdough, pancake cereal and dalgona coffee in 2020, thanks in large part to social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. The following year, Impossible Foods cheeseburgers, “flexitarian” diets and pickled vegetables took center stage. With consumers wanting to reduce their impact on the environment more than ever, we expect 2022 to be the biggest year yet for vegan food. Be on the lookout for these top plant-based food trends in the New Year and let’s get cooking!

1 Mushrooms

The humble spore is actually a nutrient powerhouse that may even reduce the risk of depression in those who regularly consume the vegetable. Mushrooms are rich in necessary nutrients such as selenium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin D, which can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Companies around the world are using the magic ingredient in everything from lion’s mane coffee to vegan shiitake jerky, and we’re planning even more products to come.
Try this recipe

Good meat chicken

2 vegetable chicken

As the race to replace chicken still rages on, consumers have a choice of plant-based products. In 2019, fast-food chain KFC launched its Beyond Fried Chicken in collaboration with vegan brand Beyond Meat at a location in Atlanta, Georgia, where it sold out in less than five hours. Since then, KFC has expanded the launch to all of its locations nationwide. Panda Express, another popular chain known for its chicken, launched its first Beyond Meat-based vegan menu item where it sold over 1,300 pounds on its first day. Impossible Foods nuggets and newly launched Beyond Meat offerings are rapidly entering the foodservice channel and hitting supermarket shelves. And you’ll see them almost everywhere throughout 2022, just like the brands’ respective burgers. Additionally, vegan chicken wings with skin will also hit the market.
Read our ultimate guide to vegan chicken

3 Chickpeas

If there’s ever a time for a comeback, it’s now and Chickpeas are ready for their new spotlight. And frankly, what can’t you do with these humble legumes? There’s classic hummus, surprisingly delicious brownies and a healthy pizza crust, and so much more to do with this allergen-free food. Same Whole Foods named chickpea as one of its next big things in its latest annual Food Trends Report.
Breakfast is served!

Hooray Foods

4 Vegan bacon

Forget burgers – is this the year of vegan bacon? Gordon Ramsay and even former Dunkin CEO David Hoffman think so. Ramsay recently posted a viral recipe for crispy vegan bacon on TikTok to much fanfare, while Hoffman has invested in Hooray Foods, based in San Francisco, maker of hyper-realistic vegan bacon (they’ve sold over 1.3 million slices of bacon in the United States since its retail debut in 2020). With more brands than ever creating vegan bacon, particularly realistic versions, we expect demand to only increase from now on.
make your own

5 Alcohol-free releases

No-booze is the new buzz as consumers cut back on their alcohol consumption, prompting a new wave of spirits and mocktails to gain momentum. Non-alcoholic beverage sales increased 33.2% over the past year and total sales reached $331 million. Additionally, with Dry January underway, sales are expected to reach new highs. Brands like Ghia, Kin Euphorics and Ritual Tequila offer a revolutionary way to socialize… without the intoxicating qualities. Bottom up!

For more vegan trends, read:
Will these 8 trendy vegan foods actually make you healthier?
22 vegan wellness trends everyone will try in 2022
Yelp reveals its top vegan restaurant options in each state

Aruka Sanchir (@ruukes) is VegNews’ beauty and style editor who’s always on the lookout for exciting new vegan products to try.