What Customers Crave: Top-Selling Bakery Products for 2025 Menus

By Core OpEditorial
ARYZTA Donuts

In the fast-moving world of foodservice and retail, bakery remains a proven crowd-pleaser.

But as consumer preferences evolve, so too must the offering. Customers are no longer just picking up bread or a pastry as an afterthought – they’re seeking indulgent moments, high-quality textures, and treats that match the pace of their day.

Whether it’s a chocolate muffin with a morning coffee or a flaky pastry enjoyed on-the-go, the demand for sweet bakery is strong, and growing.

As we look ahead through 2025, here are the key trends and product categories driving bakery decisions across cafés, convenience outlets, hotels, and forecourts.

1. Bread and Rolls: Still the Backbone of Bakery

While sweet bakery is leading growth in snacking and food-to-go, traditional bread and rolls continue to anchor the bakery category. Globally, this segment remains the largest, driven by consistent consumer demand for versatile staples. For foodservice operators, that means bread is often the base purchase – but there’s a real opportunity to build the basket with high-margin sweet treats that complement these core items.

SOURDOUGH ROLL

Source: Grand View Research – US Bakery Market Outlook 2024-25

2. Cakes, Muffins, and Pastries: Indulgence That Delivers

The cakes and pastries category remains a top performer worldwide, with indulgence as the primary driver. Flavours like chocolate, vanilla, custard, and fruit continue to outperform, particularly when delivered in rich, visually appealing formats.

From Aryzta’s Triple Chocolate Muffins to Custard Donuts and Vanilla Crowns, these products hit the sweet spot between quality, consistency, and convenience. Whether served in a café, added to a meal deal, or merchandised beside the coffee machine, these classics keep customers coming back.

LEMON & WHITE CHOCOLATE MUFFIN

Source: Grand View Research – Cakes and Pastries as Largest Revenue Segment (US Bakery Report)

3. Sweet Bakery for On-the-Go Snacking

Convenience remains a leading trend in food and beverage, and sweet bakery is no exception. Customers are seeking individually portioned, ready-to-eat products that travel well, deliver a satisfying treat, and don’t require heating or cutlery.

Aryzta’s range of individually wrapped muffins, cookies, and traybakes meet this demand with a simple thaw-and-serve solution. They’re perfect for high-footfall locations, grab-and-go counters, and businesses looking to offer a premium product with minimal prep.

ARYZTA pre-packed cookies

Source: Market Report Analytics – Bakery Products and Convenience Snacking 2024

4. Everyday Indulgence: The Small-Treat Mentality

Today’s consumers aren’t just reserving sweet treats for special occasions. The rise of the “everyday indulgence” means that a cookie with a cappuccino or a pastry with lunch has become part of the daily routine. Customers are looking for high-quality products that offer just the right amount of sweetness, with rich textures and crowd-pleasing flavours.

Aryzta’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, Raspberry Crowns, and Muffins are ideal here – balancing portion size with full-flavour impact. These items also support repeat purchase behaviour, particularly when rotated seasonally or paired with hot beverages.

Raspberry Crown

Source: Toast POS / On-the-Line Bakery Insights Report 2024

Looking Ahead: Building Menus That Perform

For cafés, hotels, and foodservice providers, success in bakery is about more than just what sells today – it’s about anticipating what customers will crave tomorrow. Based on current trends, bakery menus in 2025 should include:

  • Best-selling indulgent staples like chocolate muffins, custard-filled pastries, and iced donuts
  • Portion-controlled sweet treats for all-day snacking
  • Grab-and-go formats that don’t compromise on quality
  • Reliable supply and presentation consistency across multiple outlets

 

Let’s Build Your 2025 Bakery Range

At Aryzta, we help businesses deliver what customers crave – without the operational hassle. Our sweet bakery range is crafted for consistency, convenience, and quality across every bite. If you’re planning your 2025 menu or reviewing your current offering, our team is here to help.

Get in touch today to speak with one of our bakery experts.