The hottest chocolate trends for 2026

Flavor exploration plays a key role in this trend. Dubai-inspired chocolate led to a 137% surge in searches for 'pistachio chocolate filling' in 2025, and demand is expanding toward even more unexpected and memorable fillings. Yet memorability isn’t just about newness—it’s about emotional depth. Searches for ‘single origin chocolate’ increased by 94%, as more people connect with the authenticity and provenance of their chocolate. Chocolate brands like Soothys, known for its bean-to-bar chocolates grown and processed in India, are tapping directly into this demand for transparency and storytelling.

For brands and businesses, this trend represents a powerful opportunity. Creating emotionally resonant, sensory-rich, and personalized chocolate experiences is key to standing out in a crowded market. Consumers increasingly expect more than just a product—they want a story, a moment, and a reason to care. Storytelling, especially around sustainability, origin, and craft, has become a core ingredient in brand loyalty and product appeal. It contributes not only to perceived quality, but also to the emotional connection that turns one-time buyers into lifelong fans.

Our online data reflects this: conversations about ‘sweet vegan chocolate’ surged by 130% over the past year, while searches for ‘vegan chocolate brands’ went up by 38%. Particularly popular are plant-based mylk or milk-alike chocolates, bars made with oat, almond, hazelnut, or coconut milk, like those from Lovo, which replicates the creamy smoothness of milk chocolate without dairy.

Most consumers choose plant-based chocolate because they want to make a positive impact on the environment—61% say this is a big reason behind their choice. It is important to note that there is strong preference for clean-label chocolate made with whole, recognizable ingredients, rather than complex substitutes. This preference is also driving interest in raw vegan chocolate—products made without roasting the cocoa beans, which are believed to retain more antioxidants and phytonutrients. 

For brands, the message is clear: to stay relevant in the plant-based chocolate space, it's essential to deliver on taste, transparency, and values—not just ingredients. With 54% of consumers buying plant-based food monthly, this is not a trend to sleep on.

No less than 71% of consumers globally enjoy trying foods with an interesting mouth feel or sensory appeal. For chocolate, the most sought-after textural feature is a rich, decadent filling. Search volumes on ‘chocolate bar fillings’ increased with a staggering +191% in the second quarter of 2025 alone and all signs point to further spikes in 2026.

A huge driver for this trend was the viral Dubai chocolate bar, which featured a creamy pistachio center with crispy kataifi dough bits. Now, its potential successor is on the rise: the Angel Hair chocolate bar. White chocolate filled with fluffy melts-in-your-mouth Turkish cotton candy, pistachio cream and a subtle hint of vanilla, pomegranate and raspberry. This treat by the Belgian brand Tucho has been making waves on social media and witnessed an unbelievable 3,900% growth online.

Why are filled chocolate bars taking off? Because they offer more than flavor—they create visually immersive, multisensory experiences. A thick chocolate shell that reveals creamy, crispy, or gooey textures underneath is not only exciting to eat, but perfect for viral content. One bite, one video, and millions are hooked.