5 Nigerian Snacks You Need to Try

Now that we are past the filling meals that Nigeria offers, let’s look at the little foods that fill our mouth and taster buds. Nigerian food goes beyond full meals. There are also many snacks that Nigerians enjoy at home, at parties, while traveling, or simply when they want something small to eat. Some are sweet, some are savory, and some are surprisingly simple.

Snacks are always the easiest ways to start a meal, they are appetizers.

You don’t necessarily have to sit down for a full plate of rice or swallow and soup. You can try something small, get familiar with the flavors, and work your way into other Nigerian dishes. Some of these snacks are also very common at Nigerian parties and events, so you may have already seen them without knowing what they are called.

Let’s get into the basics!

Chin-Chin

Chin Chin is a small, crunchy fried snack made from dough. The dough is cut into small pieces before being fried, giving it its signature crunchy texture. Chin-Chin is usually slightly sweet and can be eaten by itself. It is also very common at parties and celebrations, where it may be served alongside other small snacks.

The first thing you notice about this snack is the hardness, but trust me, you wouldn’t like Chin-Chin when it is soft. It combines sweetness and savory tastes as its signature taste and it is one of the most common Nigerian go-to snacks

Chin Chin is also easy to snack on because of its small size. You can have a few pieces or keep going until the bowl is empty. If you like crunchy and slightly sweet snacks, Chin Chin is a good place to start.

Puff Puff

Unlike Chin-Chin, which is crunchy and firm, Puff Puff is soft and bigger than Chin Chin. This makes the two snacks very different even though they are both made from dough. It is a small, round, fried dough that is soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. It is usually made with flour, sugar, yeast, water, and other ingredients before being deep-fried.

Puff Puff is also one of those foods that can be made differently depending on who is preparing it. Some people prefer theirs to be sweeter, while others may add different flavors or spices.
The best way I can describe Puff Puff is as a simple fried dough that is easy to eat and even easier to keep eating.

Plantain Chips

Plantain is already a major part of Nigerian food, so it should not be surprising that it also makes a great snack. Plantain chips are made by slicing plantains into thin pieces and frying them until they become crispy.

They can be made from ripe or unripe plantains, which gives them different flavors. Ripe plantain chips tend to have a sweeter taste, while chips made from unripe plantains have a more savory taste.

One of the best things about plantain chips is how easy they are to eat. They are a great snack when you want something crunchy without having to prepare an entire meal. You can also find packaged plantain chips in many African and Nigerian markets in Houston.

Groundnut

This snack, like Chin-Chin, is best eaten in tiny pieces and in portions. Groundnut is simply the Nigerian term commonly used for peanuts, and it is one of the simpler snacks on this list. Groundnuts can be eaten roasted or prepared in different ways and are commonly enjoyed as a quick snack. I personally enjoy eating the groundnut that comes in caps, and then I peel it off and eat.

What I like about groundnut is how simple it is. You don’t need a complicated recipe or a large meal to enjoy it. It is the kind of snack that can sit around the house and be eaten whenever you feel like having something small.

Apart from a carry-on snack, groundnuts are used as an accompaniment with “Garri” which are cassava flakes.

Kilishi

Kilishi is for people who want something more savory. It is a Nigerian dried meat snack that is usually made from thinly sliced meat that is seasoned and dried. It is similar to beef jerky, but the seasoning gives it a distinct Nigerian flavor.

The meat is usually seasoned with a mixture of spices and other ingredients before it is dried. The result is a thin, dry, flavorful piece of meat that can be eaten by itself. This snack is usually spicy and the spice levels vary at times.

Kilishi is also one of the snacks that can remind Nigerians of home. It is something that can be carried around and eaten without needing to prepare a full meal. The texture is much different from regular cooked meat, which makes it interesting for someone trying Nigerian food for the first time.
If you enjoy beef jerky or other dried meat snacks, Kilishi is definitely worth trying.

Conclusion

Puff Puff, Plantain Chips, Kilishi, Groundnut, and Chin Chin are just five examples, but there are many more Nigerian snacks to discover. Each one has its own taste and texture, and they can be enjoyed in different situations. Some are commonly found at parties, while others can be eaten casually at home or bought from a market.

For someone who has never tried Nigerian food before, I think snacks are an easy starting point. You can try Puff Puff if you want something soft and sweet, Plantain Chips if you prefer something crunchy, Kilishi if you want something savory, Groundnut if you want something simple, or Chin Chin if you want a sweet and crunchy snack.

Living in Houston also makes it easier to discover these foods. With the large Nigerian and African community in the city, there are restaurants, markets, and events where you can find many of these snacks. You don’t have to know everything about Nigerian food before trying it. Sometimes, all you need to do is pick up a snack and see what you think.

So, if you are looking to explore Nigerian cuisine but aren’t ready to jump straight into a full plate of food, start small. Try a Nigerian snack. You might find a new favorite.