These Are The Most Googled Recipes Of 2020

Whether we wanted to or not, 2020 has seen most of us spending a lot more time in the kitchen. Battling the coronavirus pandemic has led to stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and shuttered restaurants, inevitably forcing us to prepare a lot more meals at home. For some, it was undoubtedly an absolute nightmare having to do so much cooking (or any, for that matter). For others, it was a chance to relax and unwind, and maybe even get creative and ambitious and try out new things. Besides, what else were you going to do after binge-watching through your entire list on Netflix? 

Now that this year is (finally) coming to a close, we're getting a look at which unique recipes got us through the pandemic, thanks to Google's Year in Search 2020, which looks back at the top search trends of the year. From all kinds of bread to popular, brand name knock-offs, 2020 was the year of challenging ourselves in the kitchen and bringing some of our favorite comforts home, even when we couldn't make it out. Keep scrolling for the full list of the most Googled recipes of 2020.

One of the earliest trends to take storm as quarantine set in and weekend boredom took hold was bread baking. We were drawn to bread both out of necessity, as bread became a scarcity in the grocery store, and for the mental and emotional benefits of creating this comforting and reliable staple amidst a world of uncertainty. Recipes for different types of loaves filled our social media feeds during the early days of the pandemic.

Sourdough bread, specifically, had a major moment around April. In pre-pandemic times, many of us would never dream of undertaking such a complex and time-consuming recipe. It takes days to prepare a sourdough loaf and a whole lot of kneading. But they say quarantine makes people do crazy things. In the spring, sales of flour and yeast skyrocketed (per Business Insider), as people started feeding their own sourdough starters, and found distraction in kneading the hours away. So many people, in fact, that a controversial social media war of sorts arose, with some critics calling the new trend wasteful and unnecessary at a time when flour, yeast, and other ingredients were so scarce in the grocery stores (per Fox News). 

Whether it was too much waste or too much work, the sourdough craze seemed to die down almost as quickly as it started. The Barefoot Contessa herself called the trend basically over back in October (per Delish), suggesting instead, "How about going to the bakery and getting a sourdough bread and having a good time?" Works for us.

For the many people working from home in 2020, the canceled commute meant more time to perfect their morning coffee routine. Then around March, a viral coffee trend emerged from South Korea, and pretty soon, anyone with an Instagram or TikTok account was seeing pictures and videos of Dalgona coffee (per Los Angeles Times). Naturally, fascination with this frothy, whipped coffee drink soared, landing it on Google's list of the most searched for recipes of 2020. 

Whipped coffee is pretty simple to make, though it may require an arm workout. And according to millions of social media users, it's delicious and insanely popular. Starbucks is even getting in on the trend with its own Dalgona coffee tutorial. The drink is made from equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, which are whipped by hand or with a mixer until they form a fluffy foam. The coffee foam is spooned over the milk of your choice. Then just stir it all together and enjoy. Nowadays there are whipped coffee recipes all over the internet, plus all kinds of creative recipe variations as well, adding spices, syrups, and even booze.

The pandemic meant postponed or canceled vacations for so many people, as travel restrictions arose and recreational destinations became all but off-limits. Things got super real when Disney made the decision to close all of its parks in March. No more rollercoaster rides; no more enchanting shows and characters in costume; no more theme park food favorites, like the beloved Disney churros.

To help with the despair, Disney decided to share its famous churro recipe so fans everywhere could make them right at home (mouse ears optional). And it seems like everyone was thrilled to try and make the magic in their own kitchens, with endless videos and tutorials popping up online. You may be surprised to find out that you can whip up these churros with things you probably already have in your pantry, including flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. No fancy equipment or ingredients necessary. 

If you're biding your time for the real deal, it's worth noting that Disney World parks in Florida started reopening in July, but Disneyland in California remains closed until further notice.

It wasn't just Disney's churros that we were all missing this year. The Magic Kingdom also released the recipe for a frozen favorite, the iconic Dole Whip. It was made available to users on Disney's app back in April, and fans were all over it. According to Disney's version, the sweet, refreshing treat can be made with pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, and vanilla ice cream, blended together to smooth, creamy perfection (via Travel + Leisure). And of course, Disney recommends using a star-tipped piping bag to achieve the iconic Dole Whip swirl. But we don't blame you if you scoop it straight out of the blender. It'll taste just as good. 

Many have pointed out that this recipe, while delicious, isn't totally authentic, since the Dole Whip that's actually served in Disney parks is completely vegan. But it's worth noting that there are tons of different Dole Whip variations, some using more real fruit, or using dairy-free ingredients. All it takes is a quick Google search. Apparently, according to one Reddit user, you can also order Dole pineapple soft serve mix, which is said to be the closest thing to what Disney actually uses in its parks.

One thing we haven't been doing as much of in 2020 is staying in hotels. And one of the best parts of the whole experience, at least if you're staying in a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, is the complimentary fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies you get at check-in. These gooey, chewy cookies have been a cult favorite for decades, and Hilton says more than 30 million of them are consumed every year. 

Now, fans can create that comfort right in their own kitchen. After holding it secret for years, Hilton released the official recipe for its DoubleTree cookies back in April, as lockdown orders were setting in. DoubleTree's senior vice president and global head, Shawn McAteer, said at the time, "We know this is an anxious time for everyone. A warm chocolate chip cookie can't solve everything, but it can bring a moment of comfort and happiness." And you know? We'll take it.

For understandable reasons, 2020 has been the year of leaning into comfort, especially when it comes to food trends. Amid such uncertain times, it feels good to relish in the hearty, familiar dishes that make us feel full and safe. Perhaps that's why IKEA's iconic Swedish meatballs have become one of the trendiest recipes among home cooks out there this year. 

Okay, real talk. Can you really call it a successful trip to IKEA without stopping for a plate of their Swedish meatballs and gravy? The iconic dish has captivated fans everywhere, and IKEA reportedly sells a billion meatballs worldwide annually. Thankfully, since many of us couldn't make it to IKEA this year to get our hands on those glorious meatballs, the retailer is bringing the meatballs to us, sort of. In April, the company released a recipe for its signature dish on Twitter, much to the delight of meatball fans out there, including one who called this the best news to come out of quarantine.

One food trend that was picking up steam even before quarantine cooking became a thing was the chaffle (via Chicago Tribune). This keto-approved mashup is essentially a waffle made from a batter of eggs and cheese. The chaffle was initially a staple among low-carb dieters but has since become a beloved breakfast hack across the board. Plus, it's a handy alternative for those who are gluten-free. 

While the basic recipe is about as simple as it gets, there is tons of room for variation when it comes to chaffles. And there are too many recipes out there to count. Maybe add mozzarella and pepperoni and make it a pizza chaffle. Or toss in some bacon and jalapeños and recreate a game day snack favorite. Maybe make a chaffle sandwich! You can even put a sweet spin on your chaffles, and top them with fresh fruit and whipped cream. Or even make them chocolate. The possibilities are endless, and they all sound delicious.

For many of us, dealing with a year like 2020 calls for a whole lot of comfort food, oftentimes in the form of a burger. In fact, in a Google survey from earlier in the year, hamburger recipes were the top searched recipes in 12 U.S. states (per Thrillist). And in keeping with the bread-making frenzy that many of us have embarked on during the pandemic, recipes for homemade hamburger buns became some of the most sought after on the internet, according to Google's Year Search Trends. 

Much like the sourdough craze, some of this was spawned by grocery store shortages in some places. But as many have come to discover regardless, making hamburger buns is actually a pretty simple and rewarding process, and certainly a much faster one than sourdough. Some recipes, like this one from Taste of Home, can be ready in just 40 minutes.

For a lot of us, one of the perks of working in an office was having a number of lunch options nearby to grab a quick bite to eat. But working from home means scrounging up something from your own fridge to feed yourself every day. There are only so many buddha bowls and creative lunch options one has the energy for, and this year we also found ourselves falling back on some old standbys. 

Enter the egg salad sandwich. As classic as it gets. So simple and affordable to make, yet also so versatile, with so many different recipes out there to choose from. Not to mention lots of opinions on how it should be made. Searches for egg salad recipes skyrocketed this year (especially in Colorado, per CBS). It's hard to know exactly why this old-school lunch staple is making a comeback. One theory is that egg salad is nostalgic, and reminds us of a time when things were simpler, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It's safe to say that anyone who was stress baking in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was more than likely making banana bread. Food history expert, Katherine Spiers, told Mashed that's not only because it's easy to make (and hard to mess up), but also because it's a sweet comfort that reminds many of us of our childhoods. Which some experts say can be therapeutic in times of crisis and uncertainty. Furthermore, banana bread is made from cheap ingredients and is a frugal expression of survival skills. In fact, some historians say it's likely that people first started making banana bread around the Great Depression (per Well + Good). 

Another draw to banana bread is that there are literally endless ways to make it. Banana bread recipes are a dime a dozen, whether you're looking for a healthier, gluten-free, or vegan option, or a decadent loaf loaded with chocolate, nuts, peanut butter ... whatever your heart desires.