Burger Trends in 2026: Baps, Buns and Recipes Customers Love

15th January 2026

57% of consumers worldwide order a burger when eating out, according to a wholesale online magazine. It is no secret that burgers are a universal favourite, a staple in the culinary world. They are served by restaurants, cafes, food trucks, fast food, caterers, pubs, schools, and the list goes on.

A burger menu can come in many shapes and forms, from smokehouse, chicken and kids’ to tasting menus, plant-based and even breakfast burgers. Not to forget the burger bun, an integral part of every burger. From crispy crusts to soft baps, the burger bun makes the overall taste.

So, what’s next in the burger world for 2026 – and how can our wholesale burger buns help restaurants stay stocked and ready for these latest burger trends?

What Trends Have We Seen in the Burger World?

Burgers are becoming a canvas for international culinary fusion, where traditional British beef patty can meet adventurous toppings and undiscovered flavours.

2026 – What’s Next?

Standard burgers have been done. We’ve all seen and tried a classic cheeseburger and a chicken salad burger. In 2026, burger menus will be getting more inventive and less traditional, imitating consumer preferences.

• Mini burgers, or sliders, are making a comeback for sampling multiple flavour profiles in one meal. The trend offering ‘bite size’ options will become more mainstream, alongside weightloss medication and small adult appetites.
• Communal “sharing burgers” are being sliced for sharing like pizzas.
• DIY burger bars allowing for personalisation of patties, cheeses, and toppings are gaining popularity.
• Smash burgers, with it’s crispy, thin patties, remain popular and are set to continue trending this year.

New Flavours From Around the World

American trends are inspiring the UK burger market. In 2026, we believe consumer habits will drive burger trends towards new, global flavours. Think American, Korean and Mexican.

• Kimchi, pickled watermelon, and fermentation in burgers add tang and complexity with an Asian twist.
• Sweet and savory flavors are being incorporated into burgers for a Hawaiian punch, using elements like tropical fruits with spicy components.
• Bold, global flavours such as Korean bulgogi and Mexican guacamole can be incorporated to bring global inspiration to new menus.

Emerging Burger Recipes for Menu Innovation

Toppings and Sides

Customers are increasingly adventurous in their tastes, encouraging restaurants to push the envelope and offer exciting, unexpected toppings and sides. From cheese sauce, crispy onion rings and crispy bacon to mango chutney, fruity toppings and caramelised onions, the possibilities for menu innovation are endless.

Upscale cheese alternatives are replacing traditional American slices in high-end burgers. Forget the plastic-sliced cheese; other options, such as halloumi cheese or melted brie, are more inventive and enhance your menu.

Often, burger menu sides are limited to condiments or skinny fries; however, burgers that are paired with extravagant sides, such as loaded pulled pork fries, are seen as premium.

Plant-Based Burgers

Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier lifestyles and reduced carbon footprints, prompting restaurants to expand their menus to include plant-based options. Plant-based burgers are an increasingly popular choice, appealing to both vegetarians and meat lovers.

A lot of establishments unfamiliar with plant-based diets resort to standard, uninspired patties such as black bean or soy. In the plant-based burger realm, there has been a shift to high-protein plant-based burgers that include whole-food ingredients like mushrooms and legumes. When redrafting burger menus, chefs must consider the plant-based trends, not just the beef patty and cheese sauce.

Gourmet

A premium burger is characterised by its premium ingredients, intricate flavour profiles, and preparation techniques. With a few tweaks, a standard dish can be crafted into a gourmet experience, where consumers are willing to pay more as a treat.

• Gourmet burgers often incorporate high-quality meats such as Wagyu or dry-aged beef and artisanal cheeses like Brie or Gouda.
• 85% of consumers agree that it is vital that a quality burger is topped with a gourmet burger bun, according to an American-inspired wholesale blog.
• Innovative cooking techniques, such as sous vide and smoking, are being employed to create burgers with enhanced flavours and textures.

Is it a burger bun, bap, roll or cob?

Whatever you choose to call it, the burger bun makes all the difference in creating the perfect burger.

In 2026, options like brioche or sourdough will replace the standard sesame seed bun, especially when used in gourmet burgers. from pretzel and brioche buns to lettuce wraps and gluten-free alternatives, innovative burger buns are justas important as the filling.

This trend towards diverse bun options is likely to persist as customers increasingly prioritise health and wellness in their food choices. Artisan breads are redefining the burger experience, and at Kara, we can see why.

Kara Foodservice – Quality and Consistency

One thing that remains consistent in 2026 is the quality of our bakery. From global topping flavours to plant-based innovations, our burger buns stay onpace with the trends. We are redefining bakery wholesalers with the quality, consistency, range and freshness of our burger buns.

From gourmet sliced buns and freshly seeded rolls to vegan brioche and Genius Gluten-Free, our savoury selection has something for every burger.

Chefs can use the burger bun to their advantage. A classic cheeseburger can be transformed from a standard dish served in most places to a culinary masterpiece. Get in touch to arrange a batch of our freshly baked buns, or browse our savoury selection while you draft your new trendy burger menu.