Viral snacks have taken social media by storm as these highly photogenic, visually surprising treats make them perfect for sharing on Instagram and TikTok. All across the world, people are willing to wait an hour or more to get their hands on the latest food craze in their region. In South Korea, for instance, everyone is going wild over a bakery treat called ‘ugly pony bread,’ which is a hotdog bun filled with whipped cream or cream cheese, drizzled with white chocolate, and decorated with chocolate chips. Meanwhile in the UK, it’s all about the food mashups as people are queuing for ‘froffle toast,’ which is a hybrid of a French toast and a waffle, and ‘swicy’ foods, which have sweet and spicy flavors.
Visual appeal and extreme textures are some of the reasons why these foods are making the rounds online. There’s also the fact that they have that ‘wow’ factor which makes them ideal for sharing with in-real-life friends at a picnic or a soiree. For your next get-together, consider serving some of these trending treats, and pair them with wine to elevate your guests’ food experience. It’s a great way to break the ice and create memorable social media moments with your friends. Here are some viral snack and wine pairings that you need to try for your next hang out.
Ilocos Empanada and Cabernet Sauvignon
Have you had an Ilocos empanada? This snack, which originated from the Ilocos region of the Philippines, is all the rage in major cities in Australia, the US, Canada, and New Zealand as its vibrant color and accessible flavor profile has transformed it from a local street food to a mainstream favorite. If you’re wondering what an Ilocos empanada is, it’s a bright orange rice flour wrapper stuffed with Vigan longganiza (garlic sausage), grated green papaya, mung bean sprouts, and a whole egg. The empanada is deep fried until it becomes crispy on the outside, and it’s typically eaten with a dipping sauce made of cane vinegar, garlic, and chili.
People love sharing reels of themselves biting into a freshly cooked empanada since chomping on the crispy shell gives their videos an ASMR quality. Its rich, savory flavor makes it a hit even among picky eaters, and it’s often considered to be the perfect meal on the go since it’s filling and satisfying. If you plan to make Ilocos empanadas for game night or a casual hang out, make them on the smaller side, about the size of your fist, and serve the snack with a full-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County.
Cabernet Sauvignon’s high tannin structure makes it the perfect wine to pair with this viral snack since it goes well with fatty and protein-rich foods. What’s more, you can go with an inexpensive, younger Cab Sauv since the rich taste of the sausage and egg filling can cut through the astringent tannins of a young red wine. If your guests prefer white wines though, try pairing the snack with a Cava, Prosecco, or a Dry Riesling since the fruity notes and high acidity of these wines go well with the savory, deep-fried treat.
Dubai Chewy Cookie with Champagne
Remember how the Dubai chocolate bar had everyone in a chokehold? This viral snack has recently evolved into a chewy cookie and it prompted massive queues in Seoul, as well as millions of posts on social media. This treat features a cocoa-dusted marshmallow shell filled with toasted kataifi, pistachio cream, and white chocolate, which results in a squishy dessert that’s like a cross between a mochi and a chocolate truffle. One chewy cookie can cost as much as a full meal since it takes considerable effort to make just one batch. But for most influencers, the high price of the treat is worth the money since they’re paying for the premium flavors and its social media-worthy aesthetic appeal.
Dubai chewy cookies are the perfect dessert to serve after a posh dinner party, so think about pairing this with coffee or a flute of Champagne. This sparkling drink always pairs well with anything chocolatey since the wine’s effervescence, high acidity, and crispness cut through the rich and creamy nature of chocolate. If you used a dark cocoa to make the chewy cookie, pair it with a Demi-sec champagne to balance out the bitterness of the chocolate, while Rose champagne will be more suitable if you used milk chocolate to make the viral dessert.
Pringles Chocolate Block with Sparkling Wine
Need a quick, easy, and inexpensive snack for your next gathering? Consider making a Pringles Chocolate Block, which is a viral recipe on TikTok these days as Gen Z continues to crave sweet and salty flavor combinations. This involves melting your chocolate of choice using a double boiler or a microwave oven, then pouring the chocolate into a full size container of plain or regular flavor Pringles chips. Leave an inch of space near the top of the container, secure the lid, then refrigerate until the chocolate hardens.
After a few hours, remove the lid, then cut the cardboard tube so you can peel it away from the chocolate block. Break or slice the block into chunks, then serve cold. To balance the salty-sweet flavor of this snack, pair it with a sparkling wine. Some options to consider include a Lambrusco, a light, sparkling red wine that goes well with the salty and chocolatey confection. You can also go with a dry, bubbly white like Prosecco, which acts as a palate cleanser when paired with oily and salty foods.
Make your next party or get together instantly memorable with these trending snacks. By pairing these treats with the right types of wine, you and your guests can have the perfect sip for every viral bite.