Whether it’s a wrap, baguette or panini, there’s no doubt that we’re a nation of sandwich lovers.
From extravagant fillings and flavour combinations to unique cooking techniques and styling options, the sandwich market is ever-evolving to offer Brits a lunchtime taste sensation. So, as British Sandwich Week begins to draw to a close, The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association shares this year’s biggest sandwich trends.
The chopped sandwich
Throughout the last 12 months, the chopped sandwich has gone viral across socal media, with endless videos of people recreating the sandwich.
A chopped sandwich is the perfect way to make sure you get all the flavours of your sandwich in every mouthful!
The recipe sees sandwich makers pile ingredients on a chopping board high with a base of lettuce, deli meats, veggies, toppings, and, of course, salad dressing, all before taking a knife and finely chopping and uniform the ingredients, melding textures and flavours into a cohesive pile.
Once chopped, the mixture gets added to a sandwich roll or wrap, and that’s it. The chopped-up sandwich can be created with any desired fillings, get creative and let the flavours run wild!
Breakfast sandwiches
Breakfast sandwiches are no longer just a morning staple, they’re also being enjoyed throughout the day. Whether that’s on the go, from a café or made from home, breakfast sandwiches have earned their place as a beloved sandwich.
The latest twist on a breakfast sandwich is to make the egg the main focus. Similarly to how you would prep an omelette, put the egg mixture in a to a frying pan and then dip one side of the bread in the mix before placing the other side on top of the egg while it cooks. Once the egg mixture has cooked, flip the eggs and bread over and fry on the other side until your bread is crispy on the outside. Meanwhile, add the other filings to your delicious breakfast sandwich.
Once the bread is golden and the egg is cooked, fold in the edges and close the sandwich up to make the ultimate breakfast butty!
Premium sandwiches
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to impact people and their disposable income, more and more people are choosing to swap their lunchtime meals out for lunch on the go. With this in mind, people are willing to pay a little extra for a sandwich which is more premium than a standard sarnie as ultimately, the cost is still lower than their usual lunch!
Premium sandwiches tend to steer away from the standard bread loaf style sandwich, instead they are created using carriers such as ciabatta, sourdough and panini. What’s more, the sandwich fillings also tend to be more extravagant, including the latest trending ingredients and sauces which give customers the ultimate lunchtime experience.
The open sandwich
Originating in Scandinavia, the open sandwich is a simple creation which gives you everything you know and love about sandwiches, just without as many slices of bread! Typically made using just one slice of bread, occasionally toasted, the open sandwich shines a spotlight on the ingredients.
Air fryer sandwiches
Air fryers are a favourite among UK homes. In fact, it’s estimated that 12 million households own one of the kitchen gadgets, so it’s no surprise that air fryer sandwiches are the next big thing!
Whether it’s a ham and cheese toastie, or a halloumi and red pepper toasted wrap, popping your sandwich in the air fryer is guaranteed to add an extra layer of tastiness thanks to the added crunch!
Ultimately, sandwiches are a UK staple, and it’s not hard to see why; thousands are enjoyed in the UK daily thanks to their versatility, and as it is British Sandwich Week, it’s the perfect time to go and grab one!
