How toad-in-the-hole, rice pudding and coronation chicken became trendy: Once considered staple recipes of a 1950s housewife, Gen Zs are recreating outdated British classics for their millions of followers

Toad-in-the-hole, rice pudding and coronation chicken were once considered staples of a 1950s housewife yet the outdated British classics have resurged in popularity – all thanks to TikTok.

Two-thirds of Britons under 30 take cooking inspiration from the platform, according to a survey.

And some 84 per cent of these home chefs have noticed a rise in ‘retro’ dishes appearing on the video-sharing app.

Users are gaining millions of followers by cooking from decades-old cookbooks, making dishes such as pineapple upside-down cake and even blancmange.

Shepherd’s pie was the most popular traditional dish to try, with almost a third of those surveyed having made one, while beef wellington is also back in fashion. 

A fifth have whipped up a rice pudding, according to the research by baking brand Camp Coffee, while others tried their hand at a trifle or black forest gateau.

There has been a boom in 1950s recipes with Gen Z who have been sharing the decades old recipes on TikTok. Pictured: An influencer on TikTok sharing her coronation chicken recipe 

Around two thirds of Gen Z are said to rely on TikTok for meal inspiration. Pictured: A TikToker making pineapple upside down cake 

Shepherd’s Pie was the most popular traditional dish to try, with almost a third of those surveyed having made one (stock)

Toad in the hole is also becoming popular with Gen Z, the survey suggests 

Traditional Beef Wellington is also back in fashion with the younger generation 

A fifth have whipped up a Rice Pudding, according to the research by baking brand Camp Coffee

However, 75 per cent didn’t follow the recipe exactly, giving their creation a modern twist. Some grilled instead of fried, added extra flavouring or even made their meal vegetarian.

And while many turned to TikTok (37 per cent) or Instagram (22 per cent) for advice on how to cook, it was of course their mothers that 68 per cent of participants called first.

Other dishes proving popular with modern Brits on TikTok include Trifle, Coronation Chicken, Chicken Kiev, Toad in the Hole, Apple Crumble and Rice Pudding.

Meanwhile, 88 per cent of Brits say that the way they find and look at recipes has changed over the last five years.

When it comes to printed cookbooks, 92 per cent claim they are falling out of favour because everything is online (53 per cent), they end up sitting on the side untouched (40 per cent), they’re too expensive (39 per cent) and too big to store (36 per cent).

Jam Roly Poly is back in fashion according to young Brits (17 per cent) 

Coffee and Walnut cake has also made a resurgence, the survey suggests 

Trifle has also become popular again with 16 per cent of Brits saying it is fashionable 

A staggering 91 per cent of under 30s describe themselves as a ‘foodie’, with 56 per cent saying they love to cook. 88 per cent love cooking so much that they admit their ‘for you’ page on social media is filled with recipes and food images.

Meanwhile, 93 per cent say they are cooking more from scratch now compared to five years ago because their cooking skills are better (51 per cent), it’s cheaper (49 per cent), their cooking knowledge has improved (39 per cent) and they are more adventurous (38 per cent).

In fact, the British public spends six hours a week cooking up a storm, with 84 per cent spending more time in the kitchen now than five years ago.

Eight in ten (82 per cent) believe that younger generations are more passionate about food than previous generations.

Prawn Cocktail also made the top 10 retro dishes that are back in fashion 

Black Forest gateau has also made a comeback according to 12 per cent of young Brits

Pineapple Upside Down cake has also come back into fashion and is tenth on the list 

Katie Atkin, Brand Manager at Camp Coffee, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 young Brits aged 18-30, said: ‘It’s great to see that the British public is discovering, and making, classic dishes that have been around for generations. 

‘Even though the way they have discovered them has changed significantly, the end result is that these iconic dishes are standing the test of time and making appearances on dinner tables through the decades.

‘Camp Coffee has been inspiring kitchen adventures since 1876. 

‘That’s nearly 150 years of watching different recipes and food trends come and go, and this experience is why we have commissioned this research – to celebrate retro dishes and showcase how you can put a modern spin on them.’