Food is one of the simplest methods of traveling without going out of the house. You do not necessarily have to have a plane ticket and a passport to travel in another culture; sometimes, only a bite of something new. And food-wise, snacks tend to be the soul and spirit of the daily cuisine of a nation.
Snacks are what everyone picks up on the move, has with friends, or desires at strange times of the night, whereas fancy dinners and traditional feasts receive plenty of coverage. They inform us much about the way people live, what tastes they prefer, and how resourceful they become using ingredients.
We are taking a delicious trip through the world today to find out 10 snacks you should try in various countries and simple recipes that you can make at home. There are sweet, savory, and other that will surprise you, but each of them is delicious. Are you ready? Let’s go!!!
1 Samosa – India & South Asia
If you’ve ever strolled through a busy Indian street market, you’ve probably seen golden triangular pockets of goodness stacked high at food stalls. These are samosas, one of the most popular snacks in South Asia.
A samosa is a deep-fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, onions, or sometimes meat. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside, and usually served with tangy chutneys, mint, tamarind, or chili sauce.
Why do people love them so much? Because they’re affordable, filling, and packed with flavor. From roadside vendors in Delhi to upscale restaurants in London, samosas have found fans all over the world.
The fun part of samosa is it didn’t originally come from India. Historians say it was introduced by Middle Eastern traders centuries ago and adapted into the spicy version we know today.
How to Make Samosa at Home
Ingredients: Flour, potatoes, peas, onion, spices (cumin, chili, turmeric), oil.
Steps:
- Prepare a flour and water dough.
- Bake potatoes, peas and spices.
- 20 piechings, rolled out, in cones, filled.
- Deep fry until golden brown.
Accompanied by mint or tamarind chutney.
2.Churros – Spain & Latin America
Imagine fried dough, crispy on the outside, soft inside, sprinkled with sugar, and dipped in hot chocolate. That’s churros, Spain’s gift to the world.
Traditionally, churros are eaten for breakfast in Spain, paired with thick hot chocolate. But in Latin America, they’re often sold as street food snacks, sometimes filled with caramel (dulce de leche), chocolate, or cream.
They’re a great example of a simple recipe turning into global comfort food. After all, who doesn’t love fried dough and sugar? Today, you’ll find churros at carnivals, food trucks, and even trendy dessert cafés. And yes, they taste just as good at midnight as they do in the morning.
How to Make Churros at Home
Ingredients: Butter, water, sugar, cinnamon, flour, and oil.
Steps:
- Heat butter and water, stir in flour to form dough.
- Fill with pipe and fry in hot oil.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar.
For a little additional indulgence, dip in melted chocolate or dulce de leche.
3 Onigiri – Japan
When you think of Japanese food, sushi probably comes to mind. But every day Japanese people often reach for something simpler and portable: onigiri, or rice balls.
Onigiri are made by shaping rice into triangles or balls, often with a filling in the middle, like pickled plum, tuna with mayo, or grilled salmon. They’re usually wrapped with a strip of nori (seaweed) to make them easy to hold.
It’s the ultimate grab-and-go snack in Japan. You can find onigiri in every convenience store, packed neatly in little wrappers. They’re healthy, tasty, and surprisingly filling for such a small package.
Onigiri has been around for centuries. Samurai warriors carried rice balls wrapped in leaves as quick battlefield meals.
How to Make Onigiri at Home
Ingredients: Short-grain rice that is cooked, fillings of your choice, and nori sheets.
Steps:
- Moisten hands, pinch medium-sized rice into a triangle or a ball.
- Add filling in the middle.
- Wrap with a strip of seaweed.
Large enough to be used as lunchboxes or snacks.
4. Arepas – Venezuela & Colombia
If you’ve ever been to Venezuela or Colombia, you know that arepas are more than just food, they’re part of daily life.
An arepa is a round, thick patty made from cornmeal. It can be grilled, baked, or fried, and then stuffed or topped with different fillings. Cheese, shredded beef, chicken, avocado, beans, you name it, there’s an arepa for it.
People eat arepas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as a snack. They’re versatile, delicious, and can be made in countless ways depending on the region.
If you ever get a chance to try one fresh off the griddle with melted cheese inside, you’ll understand why this snack is beloved by millions. Arepas are cornmeal patties stuffed with cheese, beef, or avocado. They can be grilled, baked, or fried and are eaten at any time of the day.
How to Make Arepas at Home
Ingredients: Pre-cooked cornmeal (masarepa), water, salt, cheese or filling.
Steps:
- Mix cornmeal with water and salt, and form patties.
- Cook in a skillet until golden.
- Slice open and stuff with cheese, beef, or avocado.
5 Pastelitos – Argentina
Argentina is famous for steak and empanadas, but it also has a sweet snack that deserves attention: pastelitos.
Pastelitos are pastries made by folding dough into flower-like shapes, filling them with sweet quince or sweet potato paste, and then frying them until crispy. To top it off, they’re glazed with sugar syrup for that extra shine and sweetness.
They’re especially popular during national holidays like May Revolution Day, when families gather and enjoy them together.
The contrast of crunchy layers, soft filling, and sticky glaze makes pastelitos a unique treat you won’t forget.
How to Make Pastelitos at Home
Ingredients: Pastry dough, quince paste, oil, sugar syrup.
Steps:
- Cut the dough into squares, and place filling in the middle.
- Fold into a flower shape, and fry until crispy.
- Brush with sugar syrup.
6. Kelewele – Ghana
If you’re ever in Ghana at night, you’ll likely find street vendors frying up kelewele, spicy fried plantains.
Kelewele is made by cutting ripe plantains into small pieces, seasoning them with a mix of ginger, garlic, pepper, and other spices, then frying until golden brown.
The result is very sweet, spicy, and savory all at once. It’s the perfect example of how a simple fruit can be transformed into something amazing with the right spices.
Kelewele is often served as a snack on its own or as a side dish with peanuts or grilled meat. Either way, it’s unforgettable.
How to Make Kelewele at Home
Ingredients: Ripe plantains, ginger, garlic, chili powder, salt, and oil.
Steps:
- Cut plantains into cubes.
- Toss with spice mixture.
- Fry until crispy and golden.
- Add groundnut for more sweeter taste.
7. Pão de Queijo – Brazil
If you love cheese, Brazil has the perfect snack for you: pão de queijo, or cheese bread.
These little round buns are made from cassava flour (so they’re naturally gluten-free) and loaded with cheese. When baked, they puff up with a crispy outside and chewy, cheesy inside.
Pão de queijo is often eaten for breakfast with coffee, but it’s also a popular snack throughout the day. You’ll find them in bakeries, cafes, and even airport shops in Brazil.
These cheesy little breads are gluten-free, made with cassava flour and lots of cheese. They’re chewy inside and crispy outside.
They’re so addictive that once you eat one, you’ll want a dozen more.
How to Make Pão de Queijo at Home
Ingredients: Cassava flour, eggs, milk, oil, and cheese.
Steps:
- Mix cassava flour with eggs, milk, and cheese.
- Form small balls.
- Bake until puffed and golden.
8. Falafel – Middle East
In the Middle East, one of the most popular snacks you’ll find is falafel, crispy fried balls made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, mixed with herbs and spices.
Falafel is often eaten inside pita bread with salad, pickles, and tahini sauce. But many people also enjoy it on its own as a quick snack.
It’s crunchy, filling, and packed with protein, making it a favorite for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
The sweet part, some food historians believe falafel originated in Egypt over 1,000 years ago, and from there, it spread across the Middle East.
How to Make Falafel at Home
Ingredients: Chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, flour, oil.
Steps:
- Blend chickpeas with herbs and spices into a paste.
- Form small balls.
- Deep fry until golden and crunchy.
9. Biltong – South Africa
Think of biltong as South Africa’s answer to beef jerky, but with its own unique twist. Biltong is dried, cured meat (often beef, but sometimes ostrich or game meat) seasoned with vinegar, salt, and spices like coriander. Unlike jerky, biltong is air-dried rather than smoked, giving it a different texture and flavor.
It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and easy to carry, making it a perfect snack for road trips, hiking, or just watching a game. For South Africans, biltong is more than food; it’s part of their culture and identity.
How to Make Biltong at Home (Simplified)
Ingredients: Beef strips, vinegar, salt, coriander, pepper.
Steps:
- Marinate beef in vinegar and spices.
- Hang or place in a dehydrator for several days.
- Slice and enjoy.
10. Baklava – Turkey & Middle East
We can’t end this list without mentioning baklava, one of the most beloved sweet snacks in the world. Baklava is made from layers of thin phyllo pastry, filled with chopped nuts (usually pistachios or walnuts), and soaked in honey or sugar syrup.
The result is a rich, sticky, and crunchy dessert that melts in your mouth. It’s often enjoyed with tea or coffee and is served during holidays, weddings, and celebrations across Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, and beyond.
Once you’ve tried baklava, it’s hard to stop at just one piece. Baklava is a rich dessert made of layers of phyllo pastry, nuts, and sweet syrup or honey. It’s crunchy, sticky, and utterly indulgent.
How to Make Baklava at Home
Ingredients: Phyllo dough, butter, walnuts or pistachios, sugar syrup or honey.
Steps:
- Layer phyllo sheets with butter and nuts.
- Bake until golden.
- Pour syrup over and let it soak in.
Conclusion
Snacks may seem small, but they carry big stories. From the crispy samosa of India to the sticky-sweet baklava of Turkey, these foods are more than just bites; they’re windows into cultures, traditions, and everyday life.
The best part? You don’t have to wait until you travel to try them. With the simple recipes above, you can bring flavors from around the world right into your kitchen.
So, the next time you’re craving something new, skip the usual bag of chips and try a global snack. Who knows? You might discover your new favorite comfort food.
