Why perfectly staged, not-quite-real food is taking over — and what it means for home cooks.
I was scrolling through Pinterest the other day when something felt… off. The food photos were stunning — glossy glazes, perfect crumbs, steam rising at the ideal angle — but something was missing. Humanity. It turns out many of these “recipes” weren’t cooked, photographed, or tasted by anyone. They were AI-generated from start to finish.
I understand the appeal.
AI content is fast. It’s aesthetic. It drives clicks.
But it also strips away the heart of homemade recipe sharing — the stories, the imperfections, the trial and error that make cooking so deeply personal.
I started my own food blog a few years ago, and I even posted cozy recipes on Instagram back in 2023 under @cocoscozykitchen. Life shifted (yoga certification + unexpected move), and I paused to refocus. But cooking has always been a grounding creative outlet for me, and I’m planning to bring back new recipes early next year.
[Feel free to subscribe [here] if you want those updates.]
Still, I find myself wondering what the future of recipe content will look like.
Will real food — messy, beautiful, authentic — get drowned out by flawless AI simulations? And even though video feels like the last frontier of “proof,” AI is becoming shockingly good at faking that too.
So if you still love real recipes made by real people, I’ve linked a few of my own below. Try one, save one, share one — and tell me what you think.
In the meantime, I’ll continue supporting genuine food creators across social media and steering clear of the AI-generated “feed.” There’s something about human creativity you just can’t automate.
Before I share a few of my favorite food creators, here are some of my own real, homemade recipes you might enjoy if you're avoiding the AI-generated feed:
Food Creators Worth Following (Real Recipes Only!)
Here are some creators I genuinely love who still share real, home-cooked food:
@chefresha
Striking, beautifully seasoned dishes with true depth and heart. Every recipe feels intentional, expressive, and unmistakably hers.
@thekitchenista
Rich, home-style recipes with warmth, nuance, and serious comfort. Her cooking always carries a sense of depth and authenticity.
@kimmyskreations.1
Great-energy comfort food with a cozy, homey touch. Her recipes feel like a hug — real ingredients, real texture, real vibes.
@wellmadebykiley
Cozy, beautifully styled meals that radiate warmth and care. She makes everyday cooking feel calm, joyful, and nourishing.
@justaddhotsauce
Flavor-packed dishes with a playful twist and a warm, approachable style. Her food always looks like something you want to dig into right away.
@themoodyfoody
Soulful comfort food with a modern aesthetic. Her dishes are flavorful, nostalgic, and unmistakably real.
@samofrais
Clean, cozy, beautifully styled meals. A perfect blend of flavor, art, and comforting cooking.
@mxriyum
Rich, flavorful home-style meals with a creative spark. Her dishes always feel comforting, expressive, and authentically crafted.
@terrancecoleman
Classic comfort recipes with a polished finish. His cooking feels like the upgraded version of dishes you grew up loving.
@kingcooksofficial
High-flavor, soulful recipes bursting with personality. Every dish feels like it came straight out of a real family kitchen.
@_mrmakeithappen
Comfort food with clear instruction, accessible ingredients, and down-to-earth authenticity. He really does make it happen.
@tiffy.cooks
Beautiful, flavor-forward home cooking rooted in tradition and personality. Her recipes always feel warm, vibrant, and authentically crafted.
@moribyan
Major comforting flavors with a personal touch. Her recipes feel inviting, soulful, and always crafted with intention.
@chefbruja
Bold, culturally rooted dishes with a magical twist. Her food feels expressive, emotional, and undeniably human.
@itssogood
Southern-inspired comfort dishes full of flavor, charm, and heart. Her recipes always feel welcoming and full of soul.
@daronthechef
Inventive comfort cooking with personality and flair. He brings new life to familiar dishes with a style that feels real and imaginative.
@onestopchop
Quick, flavorful meals that always hit the spot. His recipes make everyday cooking feel easy, fun, and genuinely satisfying.
& so many more! 💖
