Global Handhelds 

On Flavor & The Menu’s Top 10 Food Trends for 2025, global handhelds rank number four. With a rise in globally inspired QSRs, bakeries and cafes, we see that handheld innovation is how those global flavors are being delivered. Consumers are craving cultural exposure when it comes to food and drink. As this trend continues to climb, lentils are the perfect building block for experimenting with the concept of global handhelds. They allow for safe experimentation for the consumers, pairing something they know and love (a sandwich), with experimental cuisines, flavors, sauces, and garnishes. From pressing to grilling and toasting to griddling, texture takes hold of the handheld experience as consumers want to eat crispy, crunchy, and toasted creations that go beyond just ham and cheese.

Familiar Features

Falafel, banh mi, bao buns, shawarma, and arepa are just a few familiar dishes that have always been part of the handheld experience globally, but have progressed toward ubiquity along the Menu Adoption Cycle. Soft, tender breads and buns filled with flavors ranging from tangy, savory, spicy, and sweet. 

Modern Mexican

Mexican staples like tacos and burritos are beloved for their juicy bites and a mix of savory flavors.

Piadinis

The piadini, an Italian flatbread wrap, is a global handheld at the early state of adoption on U.S. menus. It also makes a great platform for other inspired global flavors and can be customized to take on an Asian or Moroccan flair.

Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are the perfect combination of hearty yet healthy. Drawing from Thai and Indian cultures, these recipes highlight unexpected global flavors.

Wraps

Easy and ideal for filling with all kinds of ingredients, wraps can be whatever you want them to be and can certainly take on global flavors.  Wraps are common street food because they are perfect for walking and eating – no table or silverware required.

Breakfast

Lentils are a rich source or protein and fiber making them an ideal choice for breakfast. According to the Kroger Predicts Top 5 Food Trends of 2025 report, protein is becoming more and more popular amongst consumers. Plus, having a meal you can eat with your hands is heaven-sent for on-the-go consumers. Roti john, flautas, and burritos are just a few of the global ways to bring your hearty, protein-packed, and fiber-forward breakfast on the go. 

Burgers

Burgers may be a classic American staple, but there’s a world of flavor waiting to be explored. By incorporating global ingredients and seasonings, you can transform a familiar favorite into something entirely new. Lentils, with their ability to absorb flavors, offer versatility to pair nicely across a variety of cuisines and make the perfect foundation for crafting an internationally inspired handheld experience – delicious, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

Lentils are a staple in so many different cultures including Mediterranean, Indian, Middle East, and Latin American. Consider using them in your everyday cooking to explore more food trends in 2025.