The British dishes at risk of extinction

Ninja explores the nation’s most popular dishes and uncovers which are fading into extinction and which are here to stay ​

British cuisine is full of classics that have stood the test of time, bringing warmth and comfort to countless households nationwide. From the flaky crust of home-cooked pie fresh out of the oven to a hearty winter stew in the slow cooker, these dishes are all a huge part of tradition. For generations, they’ve been staples on dinner tables, loved for their simplicity, flavour, and connection to home.

But as tastes change and new food trends emerge, we wanted to explore the current standing of these much-loved dishes. Which ones remain firm favourites, gracing weekly meal plans across the country? And which are gradually becoming less popular, disappearing from family menus and dining tables, perhaps on the verge of extinction?

We surveyed 2,000 people and studied search trends for popular British dishes to uncover how the country’s food habits are changing. Our findings show which meals are still loved and which might soon be nothing more than a distant memory.

Key findings

1. Shepherd’s pie could be extinct by 2027
2. Victoria sponge cake could also be extinct from British tables by 2027
3. Over half (57%) of the nation would be sad to see traditional British cuisine disappear
4. 62% of the nation find British meals ‘comforting’
5. Just 8% of the nation find British staples ‘boring’
6. More than 1 in 3 (35%) would choose a British meal when eating out at a pub or restaurant

Did you know you can use an Air Fryer to keep the magic of your favourite dish alive? Check out our air fryer recipe inspiration.

The nation prefers meals from other cuisines

Our study revealed that while 57% of the nation would be sad to see British staples fade away, 31% appreciate the evolution of food trends.

When dining out, 35% still enjoy indulging in British cuisine, though nearly 1 in 5 (18%) admit they’d prefer to explore others.

The growing popularity of takeaway and convenience food is the leading reason people are moving away from traditional classics, with nearly half (46%) of respondents citing this as their main reason. Additionally, 15% reported that the cost of ingredients was too high, while 10% found British classics to be lacking in flavour.

Health concerns are another factor contributing to the decline of these beloved British classics. In fact, 18% of people believe that more would enjoy these dishes if they were made healthier, while 30% agree that fewer people are consuming them because they are striving to maintain a healthier diet.

The British puddings most at risk of extinction

British puddings and desserts are staples of any dinner table, with quintessential afternoon tea like scones topped with jam and cream and the classic Victoria sponge - named as a favourite by 7% of people - remaining beloved across the UK. But do we have long left to enjoy these well-known treats? Many of these favourites are sadly slowly disappearing.

Topping the list is Teisen Lap, a traditional Welsh traybake made with flour, butter, sugar, dried fruit, and spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Once a beloved Welsh favourite, its popularity has waned, with only 7,630 searches in the past five years and a large decline of 5.71% searches week on week. Sadly, this treat is on track to disappear entirely within the next year.

Rhubarb crumble is a warm and comforting dessert for many, featuring a crumbly topping over a sweet and tangy rhubarb filling. This after-dinner treat has long been a favourite bake. Unfortunately, it seems we might see little of it after 2028. Coming in at eighth place and with searches for the dessert declining by 0.49% each week and just 7% of the nation surveyed naming this their favourite pudding, this treat may soon be a thing of the past.

What about the nostalgic jam tart? This traditional British dessert dates back to medieval times when sweet pastry and fruit preserves were kitchen staples. Sadly, the jam tart is losing its place in British kitchens. Now, only 2% of people name this as their favourite dessert, and with searches declining by 0.42% per week, projections suggest this beloved treat could disappear entirely by 2029.

The top three Irish dishes at risk of extinction

Once a staple, wheaten bread - an Irish soda bread made with whole wheat flour - is losing its popularity. Searches for this beloved loaf have dwindled to just 158,429 in the past five years, and with a weekly decline of 0.86%, it’s expected to disappear by 2027.

A fry-up is a quintessential British breakfast, but the Irish Ulster fry offers a unique twist. Sadly, this hearty morning meal is disappearing as modern breakfast trends take over. Searches for the dish have declined by 0.16% per week, and experts predict it could vanish from breakfast tables entirely by 2039.

Another traditional favourite, potato bread, is also in jeopardy. Although there are currently 13,744 recipe pages online for this dish, searches are declining by 0.12% each week. If the trend continues, potato bread may fade from Ireland’s food scene altogether by 2040.

The top three Welsh dishes at risk of extinction

Topping the list is Welsh lamb stew, a hearty dish made with lamb, vegetables, and often leeks. Despite its rich flavour and deep traditional roots, this meal is in decline. With just 550 recipe pages available online and searches dropping by 22% over the past year, fewer people are exploring how to make it. If this trend continues, Welsh lamb stew could disappear from dinner tables as soon as this year.

Second on the list is leek and potato soup, a thick and creamy soup made with leeks, butter, garlic, and either milk or cream. Once a comforting staple, searches for this recipe have been declining at a rate of 0.22% per week. At this pace, this beloved dish could also vanish from dining tables this year.

Finally, Welsh cakes, a traditional sweet treat known for their buttery flavour and crumbly texture, are also at risk. Searches for this iconic bake have been falling by 0.18% weekly. If the trend persists, Welsh Cakes could suffer the same fate, becoming a lost tradition in 2025.

The top three Scottish dishes at risk of extinction

Scotland is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, with iconic dishes like haggis celebrated worldwide. However, some traditional Scottish foods are now at risk of disappearing from dining tables.

Scones, a beloved classic often served with jam and clotted cream, may soon become a rarity. Despite their popularity, searches for scone recipes have been declining by 0.61% each week. At this rate, these cherished treats could vanish as early as 2028.

Clapshot, a hearty delicacy made from mashed potatoes and turnips, is another traditional favourite facing extinction. Over the past five years, there have been just 56,896 searches, with interest decreasing by 0.35% weekly. If this trend continues, clapshot could disappear from Scottish tables entirely by 2030.

Similarly, clootie dumpling, a traditional pudding made from flour, suet, dried fruit, sugar, spices, and milk, and boiled in a cloth, is also at risk. Searches for clootie dumpling recipes have plummeted by 55% in the past year, suggesting that fewer people are preparing this iconic dessert at home. At this pace, it too could fade from Scotland’s tables by 2030.

How to give British staple meals a fresh twist

If you’re passionate about British cuisine and want to save it from extinction, experimenting with your air fryer is a great way to revive them. Many British staples, such as toad in the hole, cottage pie, and even steak and ale pie, can also be made in the air fryer using simple but delicious recipes.

Methodology

• Ninja UK commissioned a nationally representative survey of 2,000 the nation in December 2024 to establish the nation’s view of classically British cuisine.
• Ninja UK identified a number of traditional UK foods, and using the past five years worth of data from Glimpse, calculated the trend and found when these dishes would become extinct.
• Ninja UK also looked at multiple Reddit threads around British food to identify which famous dishes were being discussed, as well as Ahrefs to identify the number of pages and traffic the recipes were generating.