TREND BITES:

Peppers

The Peppers Driving Spicy Flavor Trends

October 9, 2026
Sara Brewer

When it comes to menu staples, few ingredients can compete with chicken, which is featured on 95.6% of U.S. menus. One other menu mainstay has chicken beat, though. Datassential's Menu Trends reports that "spicy" appears on 95.8% of menus! As a nod to spicy's menu domination, this Trend Bite is all about peppers, the foundational ingredients behind many fiery flavors.

At this point in America's love story with hot flavors, consumers are way past simply wanting a vague spiciness. Just as there are countless nuanced spicy flavors, there are thousands of pepper varieties. Some provide familiar tanginess, others offer earthy warmth, and some introduce guests to globally inspired flavors. Understanding the differences can help you build menu items that appeal to a variety of tastes.

Why Peppers Continue to Trend

Peppers have become a staple on American menus because of their spiciness, unique flavors, versatility, and key roles in popular global cuisines. Through these traits, they can make any dish more exciting, especially to consumers looking for increasingly bold flavors. Many adventurous eaters can't resist trying a new kind of pepper, so when one variety of pepper becomes commonplace and loses its excitement, another will always emerge and capture consumers' attention.

For operators looking to refresh a menu or develop an LTO, peppers offer an easy way to tap into consumers' ever-changing appetites and even increase check averages. Rubix Foods found that 44% of consumers would pay more for a spicy item, and 48% would choose a spicy version over an original menu item.

Three Pepper-Packed Menu Ideas

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

ft. Banana Peppers

Beer Cheese Chicken Soup

ft. Poblano Peppers

Calabrian Chili and Lemon Butter Pasta

ft. Calabrian Chilis

Banana Peppers: A Familiar Favorite

Among the peppers featured on today's menus, banana peppers are one of the most widely recognized. According to Datassential Menu Trends, 84% of consumers are familiar with banana peppers, and 51% say they love or like them. Their mild heat and tangy, slightly sweet flavor make them a natural fit for pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers, adding brightness that balances richer ingredients.

Because consumers already know and enjoy banana peppers, they're an easy way to tap into the spicy trend while maintaining broad appeal.

Poblano Peppers: Mild Heat, Big Flavor

Poblano peppers occupy a middle ground between familiar and adventurous, with Datassential reporting that 42% of consumers have tried them.

A staple of Mexican cuisine, poblano peppers are known for their earthy flavor and gentle heat. When roasted, they develop a subtle sweetness and mild smokiness that adds depth to dishes ranging from soups to sandwiches to quesadillas. Rather than dominating a recipe with spice, poblanos contribute a rich flavor that complements other ingredients.

For operators, poblanos offer an opportunity to introduce guests to a pepper that feels slightly more unique while remaining highly approachable. Try this recipe for the Chicken Torta with Poblano Crema pictured above.

Calabrian Chili: A Trending Pepper to Watch

Calabrian chili peppers may be less familiar to consumers, but they're gaining attention for their unique flavor. Datassential reports that Calabrian chilis appear on 4.3% of menus today, up 153% from 1.7% in 2016.

Originating in Southern Italy, Calabrian chilis are prized for their fruity flavor, smoky notes, and moderate heat. Unlike some peppers that deliver an immediate punch of spice, Calabrian chilis provide a more layered experience that combines flavor and heat in equal measure.

Their growing popularity reflects a broader consumer interest in global flavors. Calabrian chilis are showing up in pasta dishes, sandwiches, sauces, flatbreads, pizzas, and spreads, helping operators create menu items that feel both premium and on-trend.

A Pepper for Every Palate

Peppers continue to thrive on menus because they appeal to different types of diners, whether they're looking for familiar favorites, complex flavors, or globally inspired ingredients.

Menu opportunities extend beyond the peppers featured in this article. Datassential reports that medium-heat varieties such as jalapeño, Aleppo, guajillo, and Fresno peppers are all seeing growth on menus, while hotter varieties like serranos and habaneros continue to gain traction as well. Operators are increasingly incorporating these peppers into other emerging menu trends, using their unique flavor profiles and varying heat levels to add excitement across cuisines, sauces, sandwiches, bowls, and more.

Whether you're developing a new LTO or refreshing a signature item, pairing chicken with trending peppers is an easy way to capitalize on two of the most popular menu drivers in foodservice today.