In the fast-paced world of TikTok, where trends come and go in the blink of an eye, one recipe has managed to captivate users for years, sparking both enthusiasm and controversy. Among the flurry of viral food trends, including vodka pasta and “girl dinners,” the feta pasta trend stands out as a reigning favorite on TikTok feeds.
The viral feta pasta recipe, also known as the “TikTok-pasta,” originated from Finnish food blogger Jenni Häyrinen in 2019. Initially termed “uuni feta pasta” (oven feta pasta) by Häyrinen, the recipe gained global popularity due to its simplicity and minimal ingredients. The United States saw the rise of this trend, thanks to fellow food blogger Mackenzie Smith, who played a pivotal role in introducing it to the American audience through TikTok.
The recipe, at its core, involves baking a block of feta cheese in the oven, surrounded by cherry tomatoes, olive oil, chili flakes, and optional basil. This mixture creates a flavorful sauce that coats the pasta of your choice. The TikTok feta pasta trend became so widespread that it even led to a shortage of feta cheese in Finland, and millions of users flocked to share their own takes on the dish.
Despite its popularity, the feta pasta recipe has sparked division among TikTok users. Some chefs expressed dissatisfaction with the consistency of the baked cheese, while others suggested adding more ingredients to enhance the dish. Criticisms extended to the appearance of the dish, with some users pointing out the clumpy sauce and the tanginess of feta cheese.
While opinions vary, the general consensus on the internet, including input from actual chefs, leans toward considering the well-cooked feta pasta as a winner. In 2023, feta cheese had another viral moment on TikTok, this time being used to make fried eggs. Although TikTok’s fleeting nature means that food trends quickly come and go, the feta pasta renaissance has left a lasting impression on the platform.