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Africa is a vast and richly diverse continent, home to an incredible array of cultures, traditions, and cuisine.
Among the many delights are the African snacks and appetizers that vary from region to region but share one wonderful commonality – they are absolutely scrumptious! Whether you’re looking for something savory, sweet, fried, or baked, African snack foods have got you covered with flavors that will dance across your taste buds.
If you’ve never ventured into the vibrant world of African snacks before, you’re in for a real treat. These tasty bites pack huge punches of flavor into portable packages perfect for snacking.
And many are quite easy to make at home with some basic ingredients. Let me walk you through some of the most popular and mouthwatering African snacks and appetizers you simply must try.
Key Takeaway
- Africa is home to an incredibly diverse array of delicious snack foods, ranging from savory fried snacks like puff-puff and kelewele to sweet treats like koeksisters and crunchies.
- Many African snacks are portable, making them perfect for street food and on-the-go snacking. Common examples include suya (meat kebabs), biltong (cured meat), and meat pies found across countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.
- While varied in flavors and ingredients, African snacks often share characteristics like being fried, spiced, or coated in sticky glazes or syrups.
15 Delectable African Snacks
Maakouda
If you’re a fan of potato fritters, you’ll love maakouda. These crispy, golden morsels are a staple in the Maghreb region of North Africa, especially in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Maakouda are made with a simple mixture of potatoes, parsley, garlic, and spices, which are then formed into small discs and deep-fried to perfection. They’re often served as an appetizer or a tasty snack, and you can find street vendors selling them piping hot, accompanied by a range of dipping sauces like harissa or chermoula. See Recipe.
Brik
If you’re a fan of crispy, flaky pastries, you need to try brik, a Tunisian delicacy. Layers of thin, delicate dough encasing a savory filling of tuna, eggs, capers, and spices. The pastry is then expertly folded and fried (or baked) until it achieves a glorious, golden crunch.
Brik is often served with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of harissa for an added punch of flavor. This portable snack is a true taste of Tunisian street food culture and is sure to become a new favorite. See Recipe.
Pampoenkoekies
These little pumpkin fritters are like biting into a warm hug. With a golden, crispy exterior that gives way to a pillowy, pumpkin-infused interior, a tantalizing South African snacks.
They’re often spiced with cinnamon and ginger, adding a lovely warmth and depth of flavor. Pampoenkoekies are a beloved treat in South Africa, especially during the autumn months when pumpkins are in season. Grab a couple (or a dozen) of these irresistible fritters. See Recipe.
Bambalouni
Let’s take a trip to North Africa and indulge in the deliciousness of bambalouni a delactable African snacks. These Tunisian doughnuts are a true taste of tradition. Made with a simple batter of flour, yeast, and salt, they’re deep-fried until golden and then generously coated in sugar.
Bambalouni are best enjoyed warm, when the sugar coating has just the right amount of crunch. Grab one (or a few) of these doughy delights and pair them with a steaming cup of mint tea for the ultimate Tunisian experience.
Mandazi
The addictively delicious mandazi. These are essentially African doughnuts, but oh-so-much more. Small rounds of dough are fried to perfection, emerging as light, fluffy, and crispy treats with enticing aromas of coconut, cardamom, and nutmeg. Mandazi make a wonderful tea-time snack or sweet bite at parties – just be sure to make extra because they will disappear fast! See Recipe.
Nigerian Suya
If you prefer your snacks on the savory side, suya is an absolute must-try. Originating from Nigeria, these are basically meat kebabs flavored with an intoxicatingly spicy dry peanut rub.
The meat (usually beef, but chicken and others can be used) is threaded onto skewers, covered in the spice mix called Yaji, and then grilled over hot coals. The result is incredibly flavorful and slightly smoky with a nice chew. Suya is unbelievably pleasant even to the eyes – you’ve been warned! See Recipe.
Koeksisters
For another taste of South African deliciousness, try making koeksisters. Every bite is beautifully crisp yet soft, and loaded with sweet syrupy goodness. The flavors are unique but utterly delightful.
These braided, syrup-coated doughnuts are a true labor of love. The dough is intricately plaited, deep-fried to perfection, and then drenched in a sweet, sticky syrup flavored with lemon and cinnamon. The result is a delightfully chewy and crispy treat that will have you licking your fingers in pure delight. See Recipe.
Chin Chin
Speaking of sweet, chin chin is a classic West African snack that is perfect for crunching on all holiday season long. These chewy pastries have an addictive crunch thanks to being deep-fried. The dough is first molded into twisted shapes and deep-fried. Then the drained and slightly cooled pieces are fried again to create that incredible crispy, craveable texture. Serve them up at any gathering for a special treat. See Recipe.
Meat Pie
If you need a heartier, more substantial snack, look no further than the delicious meat pie. These are moulded dough robustly seasoned meat filling, it could be baked or fried just as desired. South African meat pies tend to have a little bit of curry flavor while Nigerian meat pies are more heavily spiced. Both are utterly comforting and perfect for snacking. See Recipe.
Puff-Puff
Puff-puff is another African snacks a delicious, bite-sized fried dough snack. Piping hot and dusted with powdered sugar, they make for a special treat anytime.
These light, airy, and slightly sweet fritters are made from a simple batter of flour, yeast, sugar, and warm water. Perfectly golden-brown on the outside with a soft, fluffy interior, puff puff is a beloved street food across Nigeria. See Recipe.
Ghanaian Kelewele
Ghanaian kelewele is a delectable fried African snacks made from ripe plantains seasoned with a blend of spices. The tender plantain chunks are coated in a savory-sweet mixture of ginger, cayenne pepper, and grated ginger before being fried to crispy perfection. Kelewele’s irresistible blend of flavors makes it a beloved West African treat. See Recipe.
Crunchies
You’ll definitely want to try some South African snacks during your exploration of African cuisine. South African crunchies are an addictive snack of deep-fried maize kernels coated in a sweet, sticky glaze.
These moreish bites have a crunchy exterior that gives way to a tender interior. Flavored with aromatic spices like cinnamon and curry powder, crunchies are a beloved South African treat found at markets and food stalls. What could be better than hot, fresh chips straight out of the oven?
Accra banana aka Kouti
Perhaps one of the most unique and eye-catching African snacks is the accra banana, also called kouti. These are fritters made solely from ripe bananas that have been mashed and then bound together into little balls before frying. The result is an almost addictively crispy exterior giving way to an impossibly soft, banana-licious interior. They are accidentally vegan too! See Recipe.
Roasted or Candied Nuts.
Finally, for all you salty snack fans, you’ve got to get your hands on some African roasted or candied nuts. Groundnuts (peanuts) are a hugely popular snack across the continent, most commonly enjoyed roasted and spiced. In countries like Ghana though, you can also find them coated in a shockingly crisp sugar shell as a sweet snack dubbedgroundnut sweet or sugar peanuts. This sweet-salty combination is truly addictive.
Garantita
From the streets of Algeria comes the beloved African snacks garantita, a savory cake-like snack that’s sure to steal your heart. The dough is made with chickpea flour, spices, and oil, and then topped with a beaten egg before being baked to golden perfection.
Garantita is traditionally served hot, often with a drizzle of harissa or a sprinkle of cumin for an added kick of flavor. This portable snack is perfect for munching on-the-go or enjoying as a light meal, and it’s a true taste of Algerian street food culture. See Recipe.
Biltong
Biltong is a cured, air-dried beef that’s seasoned with a blend of spices like coriander, black pepper, and vinegar. It has a chewy, intensely savory flavor that’s utterly addictive. The meat is coated in a blend of peanuts, ginger, and fiery spices, creating a yummy flavor in every bite. See Recipe.
What Is Traditional South African Snacks?
Some of the most common and traditional snack foods in South Africa include:
Biltong – Cured, dried strips of meat, often beef or game meat, that are a beloved savory snack.
Droëwors – A type of cured, dried sausage that’s a popular road trip and braai (barbecue) snack.
Roosterkoek – Grilled bread dough that’s eaten on its own or with savory toppings like curry mince.
Koeksisters – Braided, syrup-coated doughnuts that are a sweet pastry treat.
Gatsbys – A massive sandwich filled with french fries, meat, sauce, and other toppings.
What Do Nigerians Eat for Snacks?
Nigerians enjoy a wide variety of snack foods, many of which are fried and portable for snacking on-the-go. Some of the most popular Nigerian snacks include:
Puff Puff – These soft, fluffy doughnut-like fritters are made from a sweetened flour batter and fried.
Chin Chin – Crunchy fried strips or nuggets made from a dough of flour, egg, nutmeg and sugar.
Boli – Fried pounded yam/plantain balls, sometimes filled with fish, meat or vegetables.
Akara – A savory fritter made from dried beans and fried into doughnut-like balls.
Suya – Spicy grilled beef kebabs that are a popular street food snack.
Kilishi – Dried spiced and grilled meat or fish, similar to beef jerky.
Kuli Kuli – Crunchy fried groundnut (peanut) snack balls.
Kokoro – Soft coconut candy made from grated coconut, sugar and optional ingredients like ginger or peanuts.
Conclusion
As you can see, Africa is a treasure trove of delectable snacks and treats, each with its own unique history, flavors, and cultural significance. Those are just a small sampling of the countless incredible African appetizers and snacks out there to explore.
And the best part? Many African snack foods are shockingly simple to make in your own kitchen with some basic ingredients. You can easily recreate the flavors and bring these tasty little bites of countries near and far right into your home. Just be prepared to make extra – trust me, once you taste how utterly delicious these snacks are, you’ll be going back for more!
