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Appetise CEO and co-founder Toby Hilliam.
Food insights platform Appetise.io has revealed what Kiwis are planning to put on their Christmas tables this year.
The platform is used by more than 100,000 households across New Zealand and Australia to plan, shop and cook their meals.
Appetise has identified three significant trends defining what will appear on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
Social media drives a more aesthetic Christmas table
This year, New Zealanders are remixing and reimagining the traditional Christmas desserts through TikTok trends.
Viral ingredients like pistachio, hot honey, miso, and Biscoff are being added to classic festive dishes leading to desserts like Biscoff cheesecake with hokey pokey ice-cream and Pistachio & White Chocolate Tiramisu Cups rising in popularity on Appetise.
Christmas cooking has also become highly visual with dishes designed for the camera gaining popularity.
AI is also stepping into the kitchen. According to Appetise's co-founder Toby Hilliam, more home cooks are using the platform's AI-powered Recipe Recommender to generate personalised Christmas menus, discover new dishes and streamline their planning.
"Search is now overtaking filters as the dominant way people navigate the platform which signals a clear shift toward faster, more intuitive meal planning tools,” says Hilliam.
Tropical ingredients lead the way
This Christmas will also be defined by lighter, globally inspired twists on familiar favourites.
Tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, coconut and papaya are shaping both main dishes and desserts.
A strong NZ strawberry crop after two difficult seasons is also driving a welcome return to fruit-led festive desserts.
Global flavours also continue to influence the Kiwi table, with miso glazes, gochujang marinades, sumac rubs and pomegranate dressings adding depth and brightness to traditional formats.
“Unsurprisingly, cost pressures are also shaping menus. Many households are making budget-friendly protein swaps, creating spreads of salads and sides rather than relying on a single centrepiece," says Hilliam. "Three of the seven most-engaged Christmas dishes on Appetise this year are salads."
Christmas planning begins earlier than ever
“Saving money continues to be the primary motivation for using Appetis and this priority is strengthening over time," says Hilliam.
"35% of users cited it as their main goal in 2025, compared with 32% in 2024 and 29% in 2023. This growing cost awareness is also shaping how people plan for seasonal occasions, with early signs that many households are preparing for a more budget-savvy Christmas, focusing on value without compromising on the celebrations that matter," he says.
Hilliam says the findings are especially valuable for food companies heading into the biggest retail season of the year.
“The days of waiting months for consumer insights are over. Brands need to launch campaigns and products that reflect what people want right now and that’s exactly what this data shows,” he concludes.
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