India’s culinary landscape changes every year, but 2025 has been exceptionally unique, with food lovers searching for healthier, easier and more experimental recipes. From traditional comfort dishes to fermented wellness drinks and festive sweets, India’s search trends reveal how strongly food influences lifestyle choices today. This year, some surprising dishes topped the charts, proving that Indian kitchens are blending tradition with modern wellness needs more than ever before.
Search data shows massive spikes in topics like high-protein meals, classic South Indian staples, fermented drinks, heritage sweets and 2-ingredient quick recipes. Among them, three dishes dominated the searches nationwide — Idli, Beetroot Kanji and Modak. Each dish trended for different reasons, ranging from health benefits to festive popularity to viral social media recipes. This article explores why these recipes became India’s most sought-after dishes in 2025.
Why Idli Became India’s Most Trending Recipe in 2025
For decades, Idli has been a staple of Indian breakfast, but in 2025 it became the most searched recipe in the country. The reason behind its massive surge goes beyond taste. As more Indians adopt gut-friendly, low-oil, nutrition-rich meals, Idli stands out as a perfect all-rounder.
Idli’s trending rise can be attributed to:
• Increased awareness about gut health
• More Indians choosing fermented foods
• Easy meal prep for both homes and busy working professionals
• Viral high-protein variations on social media
• Popularity of idli for weight loss
Additionally, innovative recipes like ragi idli, quinoa idli, dal-only idli, stuffed idli and air-fried idli went viral on Instagram and YouTube this year. Fitness influencers highlighted that Idli is one of the easiest foods to digest, making it ideal for morning energy and long working hours.
Many parents also searched for kids’ lunchbox variations, pushing Idli even higher in the trending list. From family breakfasts to corporate cafeterias, Idli dominated every food conversation in 2025.
The Rise of Beetroot Kanji: India’s Fermented Superdrink of 2025
One of the biggest surprises among India’s trending recipes of 2025 was Beetroot Kanji. The drink, traditionally consumed in parts of North India, became a nationwide trend because Indians increasingly started exploring fermented beverages for immunity and gut health.
Beetroot Kanji is prepared using beetroot, mustard seeds, salt and water — allowed to ferment naturally in the sun for a few days. Its vibrant color, tangy taste and probiotic benefits made it extremely popular.
Reasons for its trending surge include:
• Growing interest in probiotics and digestive health
• A shift toward traditional Indian fermented drinks
• Viral reels showcasing its bright pink color
• Doctors and nutritionists recommending it for detox
• DIY trend encouraging homemade healthy beverages
In 2025, Beetroot Kanji was not just a summer trend — it became an all-year wellness recipe. Fitness coaches highlighted its benefits for skin glow, digestion, nutrient absorption and immunity. Its minimal ingredients and sunlight-based fermentation process also appealed to people wanting chemical-free, preservative-free drinks.
Because it is vegan, low-cost and high-impact, Beetroot Kanji topped trending charts under health drinks, detox beverages and Indian homemade probiotics.
Modak: The Festive Sweet That Dominated 2025 Searches
Modak has always been iconic during Ganesh Chaturthi, but in 2025, Modak grew beyond a festival sweet. With newer variations going viral — including chocolate modak, blueberry modak, rose dry fruit modak and sugar-free oat modak — it became one of India’s highest-searched and most experimented recipes.
What made Modak trend so strongly?
• Younger audiences rediscovering Indian sweets
• Festive content pushing creative Modak ideas
• Air-fryer and no-cook Modak versions trending
• Home chefs selling artisanal Modaks
• Experimentation with fusion flavours
Modak became a symbol of both tradition and innovation. Food bloggers created step-by-step guides featuring fillings like jaggery coconut, gulkand, nuts, til-gud and even coffee-flavoured versions. This fresh makeover made Modak appealing even for people who rarely cook sweets.
The search volume spiked not just during festivals but multiple times throughout the year as Modaks became a popular gifting item and party dessert.
Other Recipes Trending in 2025
While Idli, Beetroot Kanji and Modak topped the charts, several other recipes also went viral across regions:
• Air-fryer pakoras
• South Indian-style rasam shots
• 10-minute millet khichdi
• Protein-rich chilla recipes
• Cold coffee with jaggery
• No-oil poha bowls
• Stuffed parathas with unique fillings
• Street-style egg masala toast
The search trend highlights the shift in Indian cooking — combining speed, nutrition and strong flavours. People are increasingly choosing recipes that are easy to prepare yet packed with health benefits.
Why These Recipes Went Viral: Key Lifestyle Trends of 2025
The popularity of India’s trending recipes in 2025 reflects major lifestyle changes:
1. Health-first eating:
Fermented foods, steamed breakfast items and millet dishes show a higher focus on digestion, immunity and long-term wellness.
2. Quick recipes for busy work life:
10-minute meals, air-fryer cooking and make-ahead recipes are preferred by working individuals and students.
3. Regional food revival:
Drinks like Beetroot Kanji and traditional sweets like Modak highlight India’s return to cultural food roots.
4. Social media influence:
Instagram reels and YouTube shorts heavily shaped recipe trends, especially visually appealing dishes like pink Kanji and stuffed Modaks.
5. Clean eating and homemade alternatives:
People are avoiding packaged foods and returning to homemade, preservative-free options.
These shifts explain why 2025’s top trending dishes were simple, wholesome and deeply rooted in Indian traditions.
Conclusion
India’s trending recipes of 2025 reflect a powerful blend of health awareness, cultural revival and social media influence. Dishes like Idli, Beetroot Kanji and Modak show how Indian cooking is evolving toward simpler, nutrient-rich and visually creative choices. These dishes not only dominated search trends but also transformed everyday cooking habits across the country. As food culture continues to evolve, these trending recipes highlight India’s growing appreciation for wholesome, fermented, traditional and fun-to-experiment dishes.
FAQs
Which recipe was the most searched in India in 2025?
Idli became the most searched recipe due to its health benefits, ease of preparation and viral variations.
Why did Beetroot Kanji trend this year?
It gained popularity as Indians embraced fermented drinks and gut-health-friendly beverages.
Why is Modak trending beyond festivals?
Creative flavours, fusion variations and healthier versions made Modak popular all year round.
Are these trending recipes healthy?
Yes, most 2025 trends focus on clean eating, digestion, low-oil cooking and nutrient-rich ingredients.
What kind of recipes are expected to trend next?
Quick meals, fermented drinks, millet-based dishes and air-fryer recipes are likely to stay popular.