46 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.
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.
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.
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these savory fritters are made from blended black-eyed peas, onions, and chili. They are a popular street food and appetizer, often served with a spicy sauce.
These savory fritters are a delightful way to enjoy breadfruit, a staple in Dominica. Mashed breadfruit is combined with fresh herbs, spices, and sometimes saltfish, then fried until golden brown and crispy. They make a perfect appetizer, snack, or side dish.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 textural Thai salad featuring fluffy, crispy fried catfish flakes tossed with a zesty green mango and herb dressing. The sourness of the mango, the heat of the chili, and the savory notes of the dressing perfectly complement the light and airy texture of the fried fish.
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.
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.
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.
Gored Gored is a traditional Eritrean dish of finely cubed raw beef, seasoned with niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) and berbere spice blend. It offers a bold and authentic taste of Eritrea's rich gastronomic heritage, often served as an appetizer or main dish.
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.
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.
A popular Ethiopian snack or appetizer made from toasted injera spread with a flavorful berbere-infused spiced butter (niter kibbeh). It's known for its crispy texture and aromatic spices.
Gored Gored is a celebratory Ethiopian dish featuring cubes of the freshest raw beef tenderloin, marinated in a vibrant and spicy awaze sauce and coated in warm, spiced niter kibbeh. It's traditionally served immediately, allowing the warmth of the butter to slightly temper the raw meat.
Yebeg Gored Gored is a traditional Ethiopian dish of raw lamb cubes, marinated and served with spiced clarified butter (niter kibbeh) and a fiery chili powder blend (mitmita). It's similar to kitfo but uses lamb instead of beef and is typically served raw, emphasizing the freshness of the meat. This dish is often prepared for special occasions and celebrations.
