Popular African Snacks and Appetizers
Popular African Snacks and Appetizers. East, West, and South Africa have a fantastic variety of cultural traditions and foods. Enjoy trying them all in the comfort of your own home with these easy recipes.
These sweet, savory, and meaty African appetizers and snacks are absolute must-tries. So, let’s get started!
Sweet African Snacks & Appetizers
1. Mandazi
This recipe is a reader favorite. If you like New Orleans beignets, you’ll love their inspiration with grated coconut, cardamon, and nutmeg. Light, fluffy, and addictive; need I say more?
2. Baked Mandazi
Avoiding fried foods? No worries because you can bake the classic mandazi. So tender, indulgent, and guilt-free, they’re amazing!
3. Koeksisters
Traditional koeksisters from South Africa are deliciously deep-fried, braided sweet bread drenched in a lemony syrup. It’s going to be love at first bite, so be warned.
4. Crunchies
The original South African oatmeal bar is much better than anything you can get in the store. They’re great for an on-the-go breakfast. So, ditch the ultra-processed versions at the store and make your own!
5. Puff Puff
Forget those mass-produced doughnuts and whip up an easy batch of this quintessential West African snack. Both kids and adults love them!
6. Accra Banana (Banana Fritters)
Take overripe bananas, and turn them into accra for a delicious breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. Simply addictive!
7. Candied Peanuts (Groundnut Sweet)
These sweet and crunchy candied peanuts are additive-free (no added color to make it bright) and egg-free (vegan). They deliver a snack perfect for that afternoon slump when you want something just a tad sweet.
8. Kashata
Spiced peanut and coconut candy is fast and easy with only 4 ingredients. Make a double batch and enjoy a soul-satisfying afternoon snack on demand.
Savory African Snacks & Appetizers
9. Chin Chin
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without this West African cracker-like snack. Once I start popping them in my mouth, I can’t stop.
10. Ghana Chips
Crazy popular West African chips with a Ghana twist featuring onions, garlic, and a little bite from white pepper. If you have a sweet tooth like me, add a little sugar for an extra tasty and addictive chin chin.
11. Black Eyed Peas Fritters (Akara)
Spicy, crispy, and irresistible black-eyed pea fritters make a filling, meat-free snack. Did I mention you can snack healthily?
12. Plantain Chips
Guilt-free plantain chips are another healthy alternative for snacking. These spicy, naturally sweet, crispy chips baked with little oil deliver a satisfying toasty crunch.
13. Accra Cassava (Kouti)
This popular street food is crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Best enjoyed fresh out of the pan! Back in my hometown, Yaoundé (Cameroon), you can enjoy accra practically any time of the day because they’re sold on almost everywhere. The bananas make it sweet with no added sugar.
14. Kelewele or Aloco (Spicy Fried Plantains)
Another way to enjoy plantains for a naturally sweet snack. This time, with peanuts for an even more satisfying snack.
15. African Egg Roll (Meatless Scotch Eggs)
A filling snack enjoyed throughout West Africa ripped off the British version of Scotch eggs. This wonderfully versatile snack enjoys as many versions as people who love making them.
16. Bhajias
East African snacks enjoyed in Kenya and Tanzania are fried potatoes with an Indian twist. YUM!
17. Moi Moi
This savory pudding is a classic comfort food with Nigerian roots. However, we enjoy mai mai in Cameroon, which is similar. So, amaze your family with this fun twist on black-eyed peas.
18. Tatale (African Plantain Pancakes)
A super easy classic Ghanaian dish traditionally made with overripe plantains, flour, cornmeal, and spices. Plus, it’s the perfect way to use all those overripe plantains!
Meaty Snacks From Africa
19. Suya Chicken
Who doesn’t love food on a stick? Seriously, you’ll love this super popular African street food spiced up with pantry staple ingredients and peanuts. A must-make!
20. African Meat Pie
Slightly sweet and flaky dough wrapped around a succulent beef filling is incredible. There’s something about biting into a juicy beef empanada for comfort food magic!
21. Vetkoek
Amazing homemade sandwich bread filled with curried ground beef delivers traditional African street food. Warm, crusty bread fresh from the oven makes everything better.
22. African Fish Roll (Fish Pie)
These have always been the first to go on any appetizer plate I’ve made. Fish rolls bring back many precious childhood memories for a lot of Africans. Be sure to seal the rolls tight with water and flour and double or triple the recipe when entertaining. You’ll thank me later.
23. Bunny Chow
Deliciously tasty South African street food made with aromatic spices, meat, chickpeas, and potatoes served in hollowed-out bread makes a one-of-a-kind sandwich! Absolutely perfect comfort food you won’t be able to stop eating.
24. Egusi Pudding
Highly addictive savory bites made with African egusi seeds provide wonderful snack bites. Egusi pudding is a highly addictive savory dish widely enjoyed in Cameroon. I’m pretty sure other West African countries also have a fondness for this pudding.
25. Kwacoco Bible
Grated cocoyam mixed with spinach, smoked fish, red oil, and spices wrapped in plantain leaves make a great snack or appetizer. It also makes a fantastic one-pot meal.
By Imma
Hi imma,
do you have recipe for coconut chin chin please?
Please ma’am I need a perfect recipe & procedure for a sausage roll. Thank you.
Hi Joy! This is the only one I have right now -https://www.africanbites.com/spicy-sausage-rolls/. Enjoy!
Nice recipe here
Thanks for the wonderful recipes.
Glad to hear you like them.
Love ur work, would love d recipe for Accra banana aka kouti pls.
Thanks! Here it is https://www.africanbites.com/accra-cassavakouti-cassava-fritters/ link updated . Enjoy!!!
You are a darling.
I can’t wait to go shopping, I wish I could get new recipes directly I my mailbox.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks Stella! You definitely can get recipes to your mailbox. I just added you to my subscribers list. Happy Cooking!!!
Please add me tooo
You’ve already subscribed. Thanks!
hey there,i am loving your recipes…which is your favorite recipe and why????
Hey Chrystyne! To be honest, I don’t have “A” favorite. It just depends on my mood swings. With that said, I cannot say No to puff puff , suya or mandazi . At the top of my list.
Oh, I didn’t realize there was a second part to it. These are all favorite childhood snacks – they bring back sweet memories, of friends, family. And they are quite tasty too!.
Hi dear , I enjoy your recipes. Please can you help me with the recipes for jam doughnut and sausages?
Thank you.
Hi Alex! Sorry I don’t have one any tried and true ones.
Hey sweetie I enjoyed all ur recipes and trust me I’m going to try them all. I can’t access the recipe for the Accra banana aka kouti though can u help me with it please thank u
Absolutely!!! Here it is https://www.africanbites.com/accra-cassavakouti-cassava-fritters/. Do let me know how it works out for you.
Do you have a youtube channel? If not, you should! I would love you see you and these recipes in action.
No I don’t. Seriously considering starting one in the near future. Thanks !
Please start one quickly
hi,how can i get the puff puff recipepleasethanks.
Hi Temi! Here is the link to the puff puff recipe. https://www.africanbites.com/puff-puff/
I have never seen a website with clear explanations about cooking recipes,go go girl ,keep on giving us quality recipes,be blessed
Hi Edna! Glad you like it!!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know
Wowwwww immaculate bites is the best…kudos to u
Thank you so much!!!!
please how can i get these recipes i am interested
Click where it says , get the recipe here and it would take you to the recipe
Do you have a recipe for Jolop Rice? I hope I spelled it correctly. I had some yesterday and it’s really good but I forgot to ask for recipe.
Of Course! I have FOUR recipes . You get to pick Lisa! Oven baked Jollof rice here https://www.africanbites.com/jellof-riceoven-baked/ , Chicken and Jollof Rice here https://www.africanbites.com/chicken-jollof-rice/ and Coconut Jollof rice here https://www.africanbites.com/coconut-jollof-rice/ and Stove top Jollof rice here https://www.africanbites.com/jellof-rice/.
Happy Cooking!!!!
Can i make cassava leaf soup without peanut butter as i am allergic
You sure can. However, it’s going to have that authentic taste.
I would think you could use any nut or seed butter with this?
Hi Karen! Which recipe are you referring to ?
Do you have a recipe for spring rolls?
Sorry I don’t have one at the moment . Check out this other roll here https://www.africanbites.com/south-western-egg-roll/