9 Top rated Nigerian snacks you need to try

Nigeria is a country that has grown greatly in recognition over the past decade, from the culture to the music and the food. More countries are being introduced to the rich African heritage of the country.

One particularly intriguing thing about Nigeria would be the snacks. Nigerians have been able to create great-tasting, addictive snacks that are sure to enter anyone's top ten snacks. Here we'll touch on a few of the best ones that you definitely need to try.

1 Chin Chin

One of the standout snacks from Nigeria, Chin Chin is a crunchy and sweet pastry made from a simple dough that consists of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and spices.

Once all the ingredients are mixed into the dough, it is rolled out and cut into small, bite-sized pieces. These pieces are then deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy texture.

Chin chin comes off with a delightfully sweet and crunchy taste. The flavour can vary depending on the specific recipe and additional ingredients used. But one thing constant with chin chin is the richness of the butter or oil used in the dough, which is followed by undertones of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, etc.

2. Plantain Chips

Plantains are fruits like bananas, but they are larger and thicker. Ripe plantains come off as sweet with a slight hint of bitterness, while unripe, on the other hand, is thicker and quite bland in flavour.

The taste of plantains is further enhanced when it is made into plantain chips. Plantain chips are made by slicing plantains into thin slices and deep-frying them till they're golden brown.

Plantain chips made from unripe plantains taste great when salted; the bland flavour does well to infuse salty flavours. Ripe plantains taste sweet with a slight bit of a charr flavour from frying.

3. Puff Puff 

Another oily Nigerian delight is puff puff. Puff Puff is a fried dough treat that is often enjoyed as street food or served at parties and gatherings.

Puff Puff is prepared by using ingredients such as flour, sugar, yeast, water, and spices like nutmeg or cinnamon.

The batter is left to rise for some time, allowing the yeast to ferment and create air pockets, resulting in the light and airy texture puff puff is known for.

After the batter has risen, it is deep-fried in hot oil until it turns golden brown. The frying process gives the puff puff its characteristic round shape and crispy outer layer, while the interior of the puff puff remains soft and fluffy.

4. Oxford Cabin Biscuit

 This biscuit brings back childhood nostalgia. Cabin biscuits are simple crackers; they are a basic bread made with flour, shortening, sugar, water, and a little salt.

To taste, the crackers appear bland, but when accompanied by tea or a drink, Cabin biscuits come to life.

5. Kuli Kuli

 Kuli kuli is a popular Nigerian snack made from roasted peanuts that are ground into a paste and then fried until crispy.

The process of making kuli kuli starts with raw peanuts that are typically roasted to enhance their flavour and remove any moisture.

Once roasted, the peanuts are ground or blended into a smooth paste. The paste is then cooked in a pot or pan to remove any excess moisture and create a thicker consistency.

The resulting product is a crunchy, savoury, and nutty snack that is enjoyed by many.

6. Kilishi

Kilishi is a Nigerian beef jerky or dried meat snack that is popular in Nigeria. It is made by marinating thinly sliced beef in a mixture of spices and seasonings and then drying it under the sun or using a dehydrator.

Lean cuts of beef are thinly sliced into strips or sheets. The meat is tenderised to make it softer.

It is then marinated in a mixture of spices, which may include ingredients like ginger, garlic, onions, chilli powder, groundnut powder (peanut powder), salt, and various spices and flavourings.

After marinating, the meat is left out under the sun to dry. Traditionally, it was left in the sun to dry, but in recent times, a food dehydrator or an oven has been used to dry the meat.

The drying process removes moisture from the meat, preserving it and giving it a chewy and jerky-like texture, while the spices give it its savoury and spicy flavour, which Kilishi is known for.

7. Donkwa

Donkwa is a traditional Nigerian snack that comes from the north of Nigeria. It is a savoury and spicy snack made from ground-roasted peanuts (groundnut) and roasted cornmeal, mixed with spices and seasonings.

The peanuts are roasted to enhance their flavour and then ground into a fine powder. Cornmeal is also roasted and ground into a coarse powder.

The powders are then combined and mixed together, along with spices such as ground chilli pepper, garlic powder, ginger, and salt.

Once the dry ingredients are well mixed, water is gradually added to form a stiff dough. This dough is then shaped into small balls and steamed until cooked.

The best way to enjoy Donkwa would be with its special spicy dipping sauce made from ground pepper, onions, and spices, which adds heat to the treat.

8. Cassava Chips

Cassava chips are a snack made from cassava, a starchy root vegetable.

The cassava is peeled and sliced into thin pieces. These slices are then fried until they become crispy and golden brown; sometimes they may be baked or dehydrated instead of fried.

Cassava chips have a crunchy texture and a slightly nutty flavour. They are often seasoned with salt or other spices to enhance their taste.

9. Buns

Nigerian buns are a popular street snack and sweet treat in Nigeria. They are deep-fried dough balls with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Buns are similar to doughnuts but have a different texture and flavour.

A batter is prepared using ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder, and flavourings such as nutmeg or vanilla extract.

The ingredients are mixed together to form a thick, sticky dough. What differentiates buns from puff puffs is the absence of yeast that causes the dough to rise.

The dough is then scooped or spooned into hot oil and deep-fried until golden brown. The frying process gives the buns their crispy outer layer while the inside remains soft and moist, creating a delightful contrast in textures.