53 delicious appetizer recipes from around the world
Pirukad are small, savory pastries filled with seasoned meat. They are a popular snack and appetizer in Estonia, often made with a simple, buttery dough and a flavorful ground meat filling.
A rich and savory pâté made from beef liver, seasoned with local spices and often served with traditional bread or crackers. It's a testament to utilizing all parts of an animal, a common practice in Botswana.
Rosolje is a vibrant and flavorful layered salad featuring pickled herring, boiled vegetables, and a creamy dressing. It's a festive dish often served during holidays and special occasions.
Crispy, golden-fried rolls filled with a savory mixture of shrimp, pork, and vegetables, often served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. These are a popular appetizer or snack in Taiwanese cuisine.
Savory and fragrant fish cakes made with a blend of fresh herbs, lemongrass, and chili, pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. These are often served as an appetizer or snack.
Kibbeling are bite-sized pieces of battered and deep-fried white fish, a popular Dutch snack known for its crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior. Typically served with a dipping sauce like remoulade or tartar sauce.
These dumplings are a simplified take on Bansh, a traditional Mongolian meat-filled dumpling often served in soup. This recipe focuses on pan-frying them for a crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior, packed with ground lamb and finely chopped vegetables. They are a versatile dish, perfect as a snack or part of a larger meal.
Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, these Colombian cheese fritters are a beloved Christmas essential. Made with salty costeño cheese and tapioca starch, they puff up beautifully when fried to a golden brown.
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these fritters combine mashed breadfruit with flaked fish and aromatic herbs, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Bajiyos are a popular Djiboutian vegetarian snack or side dish, consisting of thinly sliced vegetables coated in a spiced batter made from rice and gram flour, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. They are similar to Indian pakoras or Japanese tempura.
Tender pieces of marinated chicken, grilled on skewers, often served with a flavorful peanut sauce or a spicy tomato relish. Mishkaki is a popular street food and appetizer across East Africa, with distinct Djiboutian variations.
Aromatic and flavorful Thai fish cakes made from a paste of white fish, red curry, and fresh herbs, pan-fried until golden brown. A classic appetizer that's perfect for sharing.
A vibrant and flavorful Egyptian dip made from tender fava beans and a generous amount of fresh herbs. This vegetarian classic is perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, served with crusty bread.
A classic Egyptian mezze dip, this Baba Ghanouj features intensely smoky eggplant blended with creamy tahini, bright lemon juice, and pungent garlic. Perfect for scooping with warm pita bread.
A savory and rich Egyptian pastry featuring layers of crisp phyllo dough filled with spiced ground beef. This dish is distinct from its Hungarian namesake and is a popular comfort food.
Kobeiba, also known as Kibbeh in many Levantine regions, are delicious fried croquettes made from a flavorful mixture of fine bulgur wheat and ground meat, encasing a savory filling of spiced meat and toasted pine nuts. This Egyptian variation offers a delightful crunch on the outside and a tender, aromatic interior.
Sambusa are Djibouti's version of samosas, crispy fried pastries typically filled with spiced minced meat (often lamb or beef) and onions. They are a popular snack or appetizer, especially during Ramadan.
A vibrant and refreshing Egyptian appetizer featuring briny green olives, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect as part of a mezze spread.
Colombian twice-fried green plantains, smashed and fried until perfectly crispy. These versatile discs serve as an excellent base for a variety of delicious toppings.
Authentic Egyptian Waraq Enab, featuring tender grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, ground beef, and fresh herbs, simmered in a flavorful tomato broth. A beloved traditional dish.
A delightful combination of crispy fried plantains (Aloko) served with a rich and savory peanut sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
A vibrant and tangy Ethiopian chickpea dip, similar to hummus but distinguished by its zesty lemon and sharp mustard flavors. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer, especially within the context of Ethiopian fasting traditions.
Piragi are a traditional Latvian savory pastry, often crescent-shaped, filled with a mixture of finely diced bacon and onions. They are made from a yeasty dough and are a popular treat for special occasions and holidays.
Authentic Cauca-style empanadas featuring a savory filling of mashed potatoes and a rich, spiced peanut sauce, encased in a crispy corn masa shell. A beloved Colombian street food.
