Holiday Food Trends in the U.S.: The Influencers Inspiring Our Festive Tables
- Nicolas Bon
- 1d
- 3 min read
The holiday season in the U.S. is a feast for the senses… and for social feeds! From Thanksgiving spreads to Christmas baking marathons, Americans turn to U.S. food influencers for festive, creative, and yes, screenshot-worthy recipes. Who else has a camera roll full of dishes saved “for the holidays”? (We see you!) These culinary creators aren’t just sharing recipes; they’re shaping the holiday food trends that define how Americans cook, decorate, and celebrate. Here are some of the top trends you’ll see this year and the influencers bringing them to life.
1. Reinventing the Classics
Americans love their holiday staples, but influencers are giving them bold new twists. From spicy cranberry glazes to plant-based roasts, tradition is meeting innovation across social platforms.
Carolina Gelen (@carolinagelen) Carolina’s cooking blends traditional Eastern European flavours with modern creativity, celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients and the joy of sharing food with others. A contributor to Bon Appétit, she continues to inspire a new generation of home cooks through her authenticity and originality.
Derek Campanile (@dadwithapan) Derek Campanile is the creator behind Dad With A Pan, where he shares easy, family-friendly recipes that make home cooking fun and approachable. Known for his comforting dishes and relaxed style, he inspires parents to cook together and enjoy the process stress-free! And honestly, who doesn’t love a shortcut that makes you look like a holiday kitchen hero?
2. Plant-Based Celebrations
More Americans are embracing plant-based eating, and influencers are proving that meat-free holiday recipes can be just as festive and flavorful.
Sarah (@sarahsvegankitchen_) offers a warm and approachable take on vegan cooking. Calling herself a “tofu enthusiast,” she focuses on accessible plant-based recipes that anyone can make at home. TikTok creators are also filling feeds with vegan roasts, dairy-free pies, and veggie-packed sides that even skeptics can’t resist.
3. Show-Stopping Sweets
No holiday is complete without dessert, and food influencers are leading the way with cookies, cakes, and viral baking challenges that light up TikTok and Instagram.
Maryanne Cabrera (@littleepicurean) blends professional pastry skills with her Filipino heritage, creating desserts that feel both elevated and comforting. Her content celebrates the joy of baking made simple and inspiring. Influencers are also reviving traditions like gingerbread houses with modern twists, think matcha roofs and candy-cane “landscaping.” Save space in your camera roll now, you know you’ll be pinning at least 10 cookie ideas by December!
4. The Rise of Holiday Cocktails & Mocktails
From cozy wassail to sparkling spritzes, beverages are taking center stage in holiday food content across the U.S. Creators like Jessica (@cocktailswithwhiskey), Pranthik Samal (@parttimemixologist), and Adam Wild (@drinksbywild) are showing how to elevate both mocktails and cocktails with seasonal ingredients, edible garnishes, and plenty of flair.
Why This Matters for Brands
Holiday food influencer content isn’t just entertainment; it’s influence. Audiences don’t just watch; they cook, buy, and share. That’s why partnering with U.S. food influencers during the holidays is such a powerful way to reach consumers at the peak of their engagement (and appetite). And let’s be honest, if people are saving 50 recipes this season, your brand should probably sneak into a few of them.
Looking to make your brand part of the holiday food trends conversation? Clark Influence helps global brands collaborate with U.S. food influencers to create authentic, delicious, and conversion-driven campaigns.
Clark Influence, a team of passionate experts ready to bring your message to life across social media.
Our team is constantly on the lookout for the right creators and emerging trends to design tailored content and strategies for every campaign. We believe that a creative approach combined with a careful selection of influencers delivers a far greater impact than traditional media campaigns.
If you’d like us to craft creative concepts that reflect your brand through a turnkey influencer marketing campaign, contact us at info@clarkinfluence.com — we’d be delighted to send you a proposal.