From TikTok trends to pickle-flavored everything, the younger generation has embraced pickles in ways that go far beyond a simple sandwich garnish.
Generation Z – or “Gen Z” as typically referred to, is known for their love of personalization, bold self-expression, and preference for experiences over material things. Having grown up with the internet and social media, they are known for being trendsetters in internet culture, fueling viral movements, memes, and putting their own unique spin on fashion and food.
Gen Z is the ultimate target market for snack brands, and retailers know it. This generation isn’t just consuming trends—they’re creating them. With their adventurous palates and social media influence, they can turn an obscure snack into a viral sensation overnight. Brands are taking notice, rolling out bold, unconventional flavors and limited-edition products designed to capture Gen Z’s attention. From spicy, sour, and umami-packed snacks to quirky, nostalgia-driven treats, retailers are constantly innovating to keep up with their evolving tastes. Gen Z’s preference for the unexpected is driving the snack industry in a bold new direction. And their favorite as of late? Dill pickles.
Brands have jumped on board with Gen Z’s love of pickles, releasing an array of pickle-inspired products like pickle-flavored chips, popcorn, soda, alcoholic beverages, and even ice cream. Hormel Foods has recently joined the pickle craze with the launch of CORN NUTS® Kickin’ Dill Pickle Crunchy Corn Kernels, PLANTERS® Dill Pickle Cashews and even HORMEL® Pepperoni Dill Pickle Flavored. Restaurants and fast-food chains have jumped on the trend, offering pickle pizzas, fried pickle burgers, and even pickle-brined chicken.
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CORN NUTS® Kickin’ Dill Pickle Crunchy Corn Kernels
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HORMEL® Pepperoni Dill Pickle Flavored
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PLANTERS® Dill Pickle Cashews
So, what exactly is fueling this pickle obsession?
Their love affair with these crunchy brined snacks seems to comes down to a mix of bold flavor, nostalgia, and social media trends. Here’s why they can’t get enough:
- Gen Z’s Bold & Polarizing Flavors Obsession – Pickles embody everything Gen Z loves in a snack: intense, unapologetic flavor and a rebellious edge. Their sharp, salty, and sour bite makes them the perfect love-it-or-hate-it food, and Gen Z thrives on embracing the polarizing and unexpected. From spicy pickles to pickle-flavored chips and even pickle juice shots, this generation isn’t just eating pickles—they’re making them a statement.
- Social Media & Virality – TikTok has driven trends like pickle candy, pickle candy wraps, and even deep-fried pickles. The crunch factor makes them perfect for ASMR content, and adding outrageous spurs new trends and creates virality.
- Snack Culture – Gen Z prefers quick, flavorful snacks over traditional meals. Pickles and brined snacks are low-calorie, high-flavor, and easy to grab on the go.
- Nostalgia & Comfort Food – Pickles are a classic childhood snack, often tied to memories of family meals or BBQs and homemade recipes (grandma’s famous home made pickles anyone?). The rise of “grandma-core” and old-school comfort foods plays into this.
- Crossover with Spicy Trends – Spicy snacks are booming, and pickles pair perfectly with hot sauce, Tajín, or chili powder. TikTok’s “Hot Girl Pickles” trend (Takis + Chamoy + pickles) is a prime example.
All these reasons help explain why pickles have earned a permanent spot in Gen Z’s snack rotation—but the obsession doesn’t stop at store-bought jars or viral TikTok challenges. This generation is taking it a step further, turning pickles into a centerpiece with creative, customizable recipes and shareable snack spreads. Enter: the pickle board. Think of it as a charcuterie board’s bolder, tangier cousin—loaded with a variety of pickles, crunchy sides, and unexpected pairings that turn a humble brined veggie into the star of the show.
The Perfect Pickle Board
Ingredients
| 2 | cups cheese cubes |
| 1 | (8-ounce) package COLUMBUS® Genoa Salame, thickly sliced |
| 1 | cup mini pickles |
| 1½ | cups diced red, yellow, or orange bell peppers |
| ½ | cup olive oil |
| ¼ | cup chopped fresh dill |
| 3 | tablespoons white wine vinegar |
| 1 | clove garlic, minced |
| ½ | teaspoon black pepper |
| ¼ | teaspoon red pepper flakes |
Directions
In a large jar or container, layer the cheese, salame slices, pickles, and bell peppers.
In small bowl, whisk together olive oil, dill, vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour over ingredients in the jar.
Seal jar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ingredients
| 4 | cups oven toasted corn cereal |
| 4 | cups oven toasted rice cereal |
| 2 | cups bite-size pretzel twists |
| 2 | cups regular-size garlic bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces |
| 1 | (5-ounce) package PLANTERS® Dill Pickle Cashews |
| ⅓ | cup oil |
| 1 | tablespoon dried dill weed |
| 1 | teaspoon garlic powder |
| 1 | tablespoon dill pickle juice |
| 1 | (1-ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix |
Directions
In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, pretzels, bagel chips and cashews.
In small bowl, mix oil, dill weed, garlic powder and pickle juice.
Gradually pour oil mixture over cereal mixture until evenly coated. Sprinkle with ranch dressing mix, stirring to coat completely.
Microwave uncovered on High 4 to 5 minutes, stirring every minute with rubber spatula and scraping side and bottom of bowl.
Spread mixture on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.
Ingredients
| 12 | pickle spears, patted dry |
| 12 | slices HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Original Bacon |
| Barbeque seasoning | |
| Ranch dressing for dipping, if desired |
Directions
Wrap each pickle spear with 1 slice bacon overlapping slightly. Sprinkle all sides with barbecue seasoning
Place in air fryer. Cook 14 to 16 minutes at 400°F, or until bacon is crisped. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping if desired.
Ingredients
| Cheese Ball | |
|---|---|
| 16 | ounces cream cheese, softened |
| ¼ | cup sour cream |
| 1 | teaspoon garlic powder |
| 1 | teaspoon lemon juice |
| ½ | teaspoon salt |
| ½ | teaspoon pepper |
| 1 | cup shredded cheddar cheese |
| 1½ | cups chopped dill pickles |
| 2 | tablespoons chopped fresh dill |
| Coating | |
|---|---|
| ⅓ | cup shredded cheddar cheese |
| ⅓ | cup finely chopped PLANTERS® Dill Pickle Cashews |
| 1 | tablespoon chopped fresh dill |
| 1 | teaspoon lemon zest |
Directions
For the Cheese Ball
In large bowl using electric mixer, combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in cheese, pickles and fresh dill.
Place cheese mixture on top of plastic wrap. Mold cheese mixture into ball shape, covering with plastic wrap to help hold shape. Refrigerate 2 hours.
For the Coating
In shallow dish or plate, mix together cheese, chopped cashews, dill and lemon zest.
Unwrap cheese ball. Roll in nut mixture. Gently press mixture into the cheese ball.
Transfer cheese ball to platter. Serve with crackers.
Ingredients
| 8 | ounces WHOLLY® Diced Avocado |
| ½ | cup diced pickle chips |
| ¼ | cup sliced green onions |
| ½ | tablespoon pickle juice |
| ½ | tablespoon lime juice |
| ½ | teaspoon garlic salt |
| ¼ | teaspoon chili powder |
| Pickle chip slices | |
| Tortilla chips |
Directions
In medium bowl, mash WHOLLY® Diced Avocado with all other ingredients, until well combined.
Top with extra pickle slices and serve with tortilla chips.
Other dill-icious items we added to our board include:
Various pickles- different brands, brines, levels of spice, sweetness, flavors, etc.
Pickle flavor popcorn
CORN NUTS® Kickin Dill Pickle Flavor Crunchy Corn Kernals
PLANTERS® Dill Pickle Cashews
HORMEL® Pepperoni Dill Pickle Flavored
Pickle flavored potato chips
Pickle flavored puff snacks
Pickle-back whiskey shots
Various cheeses including Gouda, and sharp white cheddar and Havarti
Various crunchy accoutrements like crackers and pretzels
Gen Z’s love affair with pickles isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a reflection of their bold, boundary-pushing tastes and their knack for turning the unconventional into the mainstream. Whether it’s through viral social media challenges, pickle-infused snacks, or their love of all things quirky and nostalgic, this generation has cemented pickles as more than just a side dish—they’re a full-on cultural phenomenon. As brands continue to cater to Gen Z’s craving for intense flavors and rebellious food trends, one thing is clear: the pickle obsession isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. So grab a spear, take a crunch, and embrace the brine—because pickles are here to stay.
