Full English gets a Hawaiian twist as Gen Z and Boomers split, research reveals

The Full English may be a national institution, but a new generational battle is brewing over the breakfast table. In a new survey of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by Dole Packaged Foods, nearly half of Brits (43%), admit they’d swap out traditional toast for pancakes, with 59 per cent saying they’d top them with pineapple.

Digging beneath the surface, it’s clear the UK is a nation divided by generation. The trend is being driven by younger generations, with 63 per cent of Gen Z and 51 per cent of Millennials open to making the switch, compared to just 35 per cent of Gen X and 30 per cent of Boomers. The findings reflect the rise of ‘newstalgia’, a trend seeing nostalgic foods being reinvented with modern twists, as younger generations embrace more playful takes on classic dishes.

Regional attitudes show the divide is just as strong across the UK:
Wakefield emerged as the most traditional city, with 91 per cent unwilling to swap toast for pancakes, followed by Sunderland (79%), Preston (78%), Peterborough (77%) and Sheffield (57%)
London and Northern Ireland also showed strong openness to the trend, with 60 per cent and 62 per cent respectively receptive to pineapple pancakes. Followed by big cities like Birmingham (47%), Edinburgh (43%) and Leeds (42%)

Pineapple’s appeal may also come down to its luxury reputation. Nearly a quarter of Brits (24%) say the fruit feels more appealing because of its historic association with indulgence and status, having once been linked to royalty. In keeping with those regal roots, 19 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials said seeing a member of the Royal Family eating pineapple would make them more likely to try it themselves. Boomers, surprisingly, were the least moved, with just 7 per cent saying royal endorsement would sway them. Among individual royals, Catherine, Princess of Wales, emerged as the most influential figure overall, with 17 per cent of Brits saying she would be most likely to change their minds.

Even the Full English isn’t immune to changing tastes. Black pudding was voted the least-loved item on the plate by 38 per cent of Brits, followed by mushrooms and tomatoes (both 10%), suggesting that even the nation’s most iconic breakfast is open to a few modern edits.

And Dole is more than happy to stir the pot.

Tao Baidoun, Brand Manager at Dole Packaged Foods, adds: “Let’s be honest, the Full English has been playing it safe for far too long. Pineapple is that unexpected guest that turns up, steals the show and somehow makes everything else taste better. It cuts through the richness, adds a hit of sweetness, and suddenly your breakfast feels a lot less predictable. If that ruffles a few feathers, even better. The best food conversations always do.”

To make pineapple pancakes, simply add two small ladleful’s of pancake batter to a pan to create pancakes slightly larger than a pineapple ring. Cook for around 15 seconds before placing a pineapple ring on top of each pancake and continuing to cook until golden. Consumers can find Dole Pineapple Slices in major UK supermarkets nationwide, including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, with prices starting from around £1.25 per can.