Get ready for a surprising twist on dessert, as a leading food futurologist predicts that sweetcorn ice cream will be one of the biggest culinary trends of 2026. This forecast comes from Green Chef, the health-focused recipe box company, which has unveiled its annual health and wellness predictions for the coming year.
Eight Key Trends Shaping Our Plates
Green Chef partnered with international food futurologist Dr Morgaine Gaye and its own Senior Recipe Development Manager and Registered Nutritionist, Lily Keeling, to gaze into the culinary crystal ball. Their collaboration identifies eight major trends set to move from the fringes to the mainstream, blending innovative flavours with a strong focus on functional wellbeing.
The predictions suggest 2026 will be a year where nostalgia meets nutrition, and everyday ingredients are reinvented in bold new ways.
Sweetcorn's Sweet Surprise
First on the list is the unexpected rise of sweetcorn in desserts. No longer just for savoury sides, its subtle sweetness and nutty umami notes are forecast to inspire a wave of sweetcorn ice creams, custards, and pies.
"Sweetcorn is full of fibre and incorporating it into desserts is a clever way to boost nutritional value while adding creativity," explains Lily Keeling. This shift promises to balance childhood nostalgia with genuine novelty on the plate.
Nostalgia and Functional Flavours
The humble banana is also poised for a major comeback, driven partly by the viral popularity of treats like Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding. Expect to see it featured in puddings, bakery items, and frozen treats, often paired with cinnamon or chocolate.
Meanwhile, the warming spice cardamom is tipped to become 2026's premier wellness spice. Following the fame of Scandinavian cardamom buns, its anti-inflammatory properties will see it infused into health bars, drinks, and chocolates.
"Cardamom’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities make it well-suited as a functional food, offering both flavour and wellbeing benefits," notes Keeling.
From Mood to Immunity
Two significant behavioural trends focus directly on consumer health. First, brands will increasingly market products by mood rather than flavour, creating drinks with names like ‘Calm’ or ‘A Big Hug’ to appeal to anxiety-conscious Gen Z shoppers.
Second, there will be a marked shift from protein-fortified foods to those boasting 'added immunity'. Ingredients like zinc, vitamins C and D, and adaptogens will be highlighted for their role in supporting the body's defences.
Ingredient Resurgence and Innovation
In a move that bucks plant-based trends, beef tallow is set for a culinary comeback. Chefs are rediscovering its high smoke point and rich flavour for use in pastries and chips, a trend bolstered by the carnivore diet.
Finally, medicinal herbs such as nettles, dandelion greens, and holy basil will transition from herbal remedies to starring roles in pestos, salads, and soups. Their natural, nutrient-dense profiles perfectly align with the growing desire to eat for holistic wellbeing.
"Who would have guessed sweetcorn ice cream would be on the menu for 2026?" said Lily Keeling. "These trends are such a great reminder that healthy eating can be exciting and surprising."
