Halloween in Britain is getting a healthy makeover. New research reveals that families across the UK are trading in cupcakes and toffee apples for sushi rolls and fresh vegetables, signalling the end of traditional sugary treats and a rise in adventurous, low-sugar alternatives.
According to a new study commissioned by Japanese food brand Yutaka, a striking nine in ten (89%) parents believe traditional kids’ baking is on its way out. Once a staple of rainy-day family fun, baking is now losing its appeal, with over a quarter (27%) of parents saying they avoid cakes and biscuits altogether because of their high sugar content.
This Halloween, instead of whisking up buttercream or drizzling caramel, many households may find themselves rolling sushi instead.
From Sugar Rush to Sushi Rolls
The research highlights a growing appetite for healthier, more modern cooking experiences among British families. Nearly seven in ten (69%) parents say they’d rather see their children snacking on fresh vegetables and fish while making sushi than licking spoonfuls of cake batter.
A third (31%) of mums and dads admitted they are intentionally turning away from sweet recipes to cook more savvy, savoury dishes with their kids — describing them as more “engaging and forgiving” than baking, which often relies on precision and patience.
However, despite this enthusiasm, 13% of parents say they don’t feel confident enough to prepare more modern dishes, and 12% admit they worry about how their creations will turn out. While one in three (31%) say they’d love to make sushi with their family, only 16% have actually tried it before.
Yutaka Brings Kids Into the Kitchen
To help close that gap, Yutaka has teamed up with singer and mother-of-two Alexandra Burke and fourteen children to create the world’s first sushi recipe book designed by kids. The project brings together art, imagination, and healthy eating in one fun-filled family activity — just in time for Halloween.
The free downloadable cookbook features a range of delightfully spooky sushi creations dreamed up by the children themselves. Expect imaginative characters like abominable Axolotls, the whimsical ‘Uni-cone’, and Alexandra’s own friendly ghost, ‘Cousin Itt’. Each recipe guides families through making their own edible characters, transforming sushi-making into an interactive and creative experience rather than a formal culinary exercise.
“Being a parent of two, I’m always looking for ways to maintain wonderfully nutritious meals while keeping kitchen time lots of fun,” said Alexandra Burke. “I love Japanese food, so it’s a dream to work on this sushi book with all the talented young foodie artists and Yutaka. Sushi really is child’s play — it’s quick, healthy and interactive; all the ingredients for very happy children in my household!”
The initiative aims to demystify sushi for families who may think it’s too complex to make at home. The recipes are designed to show that sushi can be simple, flexible, and forgiving — a creative process rather than a precise science.
Cooking Together Builds Connection
Beyond the move toward healthier eating, the research found that family cooking time is more meaningful than ever. Three-quarters (75%) of parents say preparing food together is one of the best ways to bond, while nearly half (48%) admit they have deeper, more open conversations with their children in the kitchen than during other activities.
In fact, over half (51%) of parents say they’d rather their children make a mess in the kitchen than in the living room — suggesting that, even when chaos reigns, the joy of cooking together wins out.
Cooking has also become a vital way for parents to pass on family traditions. Eighty-six per cent of modern mums and dads say they cooked with their own parents growing up, and 95% are now passing that habit to their own children — spending an average of six days a week in the kitchen together.
Interestingly, 41% of parents say they cook more with their children than they did with their own parents, while 38% say the dishes have changed dramatically — swapping old-school recipes like fairy cakes and stews for dishes such as sushi, tacos, or stir-fries.
And the enthusiasm is mutual: over half (51%) of children say they enjoy cooking, while nearly four in ten (38%) say they absolutely love it.
The Future of Family Food
For Ken Furukawa, CEO of Tazaki Foods, the parent company of Yutaka, the findings represent a positive shift in how British families approach cooking.
“As sushi becomes increasingly popular among families, we want to remove the mystery and show it’s not only healthy and delicious, but surprisingly simple to make at home,” Furukawa said. “By putting the power in children’s hands, we’re championing a future where sushi can be a fun, accessible dish in British family kitchens. That’s why we’ve created the world’s first sushi recipe book designed by kids.”
With Halloween approaching, it seems the nation’s kitchens may be swapping sticky icing for sticky rice. The traditional sugar rush is giving way to a fresher, more balanced kind of family fun — one that celebrates creativity, connection, and just a hint of soy sauce.
The Yutaka “Seaweed Sid” recipe book is free to download at yutaka.london/seaweed-sid-recipe-book