the best appetizer around the world

Akkra

(Senegalese black-eyed pea fritters)

These bean fritters originated in Western Africa, but with the slave trade they spread to the Caribbean and Brazil. Crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle, they are variously known as akra, acra, accra, acrat and acarajé.

Alcapurrias

(Puerto Rican stuffed fritters)

Say the word "alcapurrias," and most Puerto Ricans think "beach food." These scrumptious fritters are usually made with a batter of taro (yautía) and green bananas (guineos verdes), and are stuffed with either a meat (pino) filling or with crab, shrimp or lobster. Sold by vendors on the beach, they make a great snack for hungry stomachs after a long day in the sun.

Angels on Horseback

(English bacon-wrapped oysters appetizer)

Angels on horseback were a favorite British Victorian after-dinner nibble. The name apparently comes from the way the curled bacon looks like angels wings. I don't know about that, but the popularity of these delightful appetizers flew across the Pond around the turn of the 20th century, and they are still popular at weddings and celebrations in the American Northeast.

Baba Ghanoush

(Middle Eastern eggplant dip)

Baba ghanoush is a very popular appetizer and dip in the Middle East. Its smoky, rich flavor of the eggplant goes well with wedges of pita bread or with raw vegetables. Try using it as a sandwich spread or rolled up in wraps. 

Baleadas

(Honduran flour tortillas with beans and cheese)

A quick and satisfying breakfast or evening meal, baleadas are thick flour tortillas folded over a variety of fillings. The most common filling for baleadas is a simple mix of beans, cheese and the Honduran-style sour cream known as mantequilla.

Banh Xeo

(Vietnamese filled crepe)

Banh xeo ("bahn SAY-oh") is a popular street snack in Vietnam, especially the south. The name means "sound crepe," and it indicates the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet. The shrimp-studded crepe is rolled up in a leaf of lettuce and dipped in a flavorful lime-scented sauce before it gets popped in your mouth.

Bao

(Chinese steamed, filled buns)

Bao, also known as baozi, are pillowy, soft buns that are either steamed or baked. They come with a variety of fillings and are a common item in dim sum shops. Bao are a favorite breakfast or mid-morning snack. 

Bichak

(Afghani stuffed savory and sweet pastries)

These triangular baked pastries come in both sweet and savory versions and are perfect as appetizers or with a cup of tea. The main recipe here is for meat (gosht) bichak, but try the pumpkin, cheese or jam versions too. 

Bruschetta alla Romana

(Italian grilled bread with tomatoes)

Bruschetta, at its most basic, is bread that is grilled and then rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Topping these tasty toasts with fresh tomatoes makes a popular Roman antipasto, just perfect for the dog days of late summer. 

Buffalo Wings

(American chicken wings in spicy sauce)

A classic bar food, Buffalo wings came to us from Teresa Bellissimo, owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Chicken wings are deep fried and tossed with a spicy, vinegary butter and hot pepper sauce. The popularity of Buffalo wings has skyrocketed since their creation in the 1960s. Many of today's versions vary widely from the original recipe, breading the chicken or using barbecue or other sauces. This recipe is the incomparable original. 

Buñuelos de Queso

(Puerto Rican cheese fritters)

These small cheese fritters are an excellent and easy side dish for a Puerto Rican meal.

Cachapas

(Venezuelan fresh corn pancakes)

Cachapas are rib-sticking pancakes made with fresh corn. They are sold as road-side snacks in Venezuela, wrapped around queso fresco, mozzarella, chopped ham, chorizo or spread with butter, cream cheese or sour cream. Cachapas are a great, gluten-free option for people who can't tolerate pancakes made with wheat flour.

Cancha

(Ecuadorian, Peruvian toasted corn snack)

Cancha, a popular snack in Peru and Ecuador, is made with a special type of large-kerneled corn called maíz chulpe or maíz cancha chulpe. The dried kernels are tossed with oil and toasted in a hot skillet until they are browned and puffed. A simple sprinkling of salt and the cancha is ready to eat. Cancha is often served with ceviche or a cold beer.

Conch Fritters

(Caribbean deep-fried conch snacks)

The conch, pronounced "conk," is a large sea snail whose flavorful meat is a favorite of Caribbean Islanders. Conch is made into delicious soups, salads and these tasty fritters. Conch meat can be tough, so it's important to chop it very finely. The meat may be hard to find outside the Caribbean, but you can sometimes find it canned. For a good substitute, use chopped canned or fresh clams.

Coxinhas

(Brazilian deep-fried chicken croquettes)

These little drumstick-shaped treats are a favorite snack in Brazil. Shredded chicken and cheese are encased in a flavorful dough and the coxinhas are then deep fried to a crispy, crunchy golden-brown. The word coxinhas is Portuguese for "little thighs," a reference to their shape.

Domatokeftedes

(Greek tomato fritters)

This recipe for simple fritters from Santorini is a great way to use up garden tomatoes in late summer. The herbs add amazing flavor and highlight the fresh, late summer ingredients. Use only fresh tomatoes, not canned.

Empanadas

(Latin savory stuffed pastries)

Empanadas are meat pies popular throughout the Latin world. They probably originated in Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain. Spanish settlers introduced empanadas to the New World, and they are a special favorite in Chile and Argentina. The variety of fillings for empanadas is endless and includes stewlike mixtures chicken, beef, ham and cheese, fish and seafood. Other fillings include spinach, peas, potatoes, pumpkin and beans.

Falafel

(Middle Eastern fried chickpea patties)

Falafel is the original veggie burger and is a common dish throughout the Middle East. It is found in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Egypt, and is especially popular with Palestinians. In Egypt it is known as tamiyah or taamiyah. Israelis sometimes call it the "national food of Israel."

Gamberetti all'Agro

(Italian lemon-marinated shrimp)

Gamberetti all'agro is a simple antipasto is popular all along the Italian coast. The simple flavors of the poached shrimp mingled with citrusy juice make a perfect finger food for a summer's evening get-together.

Gefüllte Eier

(German deviled, stuffed eggs appetizer)

Stuffed eggs are easy to throw together, and they make great finger food at family get-togethers, parties and celebrations. You can make them up ahead, giving you plenty of time to tend to other duties. They also make a simple yet elegant supper or brunch when paired with a side salad. Gefüllte Eier are also a tasty way to use up leftover Easter eggs.

Gravlax

(Swedish cured salmon)

Gravlax--also spelled gravlaks, gravadlax, or gravadlaks — is a classic Swedish way to preserve salmon. It is often served as part of the first course of a smörgåsbord. Gravlax is delicious on a slice of rye bread with a bit of hovmästarsås or a squeeze of lemon.

Guacamole

(Mexican avocado sauce)

Guacamole is popular in Mexico and throughout Central America. The name comes from the Aztec worlds ahuacatl (avocado) and molli (sauce). Guacamole is also common in Tex-Mex and American Southwestern cuisine. In Mexico it is this rich and creamy condiment is often still made with a traditional mortar and pestle called a molcajete. Often called guacamol in other parts of Central America. Read more »

Htipiti

(Greek feta and roasted red pepper spread)

A simple spread with loads of flavor, htipiti — also known as tirokafteri or kopanisti — is the perfect addition to a Mediterranean meze spread. The salty bite of feta cheese marries perfectly with the smoky sweetness of the roasted peppers and a touch of heat from hot pepper flakes.

Hummus bi Tahina

(Middle Eastern chickpea and sesame dip)

Hummus is popular appetizer, or meze, throughout the Middle East. Serve with grilled or toasted pita bread cut into wedges. Or use as a sandwich or wrap spread.

Jamaican Beef Patties

(Jamaican spicy meat pies)

Descended from the British turnover, Jamaican beef patties liven up an old standby with a big pinch of curry and the fiery punch of the Scotch bonnet pepper. Jamaican beef patties have spread in popularity with immigrant populations to places like England, Toronto, New York and southern Florida. Make them small for appetizers or large for a serious entree.

Tod Mun

(Thai fish cakes)

Tod mun is one of the most popular snacks in Thailand, especially in the northern reaches of the country. Serve these spicy fried fish cakes as a starter to a Thai meal with a tasty dipping sauce.

Tortilla Española de Patata

(Spanish open-faced potato omelet)

Tortilla española, or tortilla de patata, is similar to an Italian frittata and is a favorite with Spaniards who serve it either as a tapa or for a simple Sunday meal.

Tostones

(Puerto Rican fried plantains)

Tostones, twice-fried green plantains, are a favorite snack and side dish in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Haitians call them bananes pesées, or banan peze. They are also eaten in Central America and throughout South America. In Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela they are known as patacones. 

Ukoy

(Filipino shrimp and sweet potato fritters)

Ukoy is a simple and flavorful Filipino appetizer. These fritters have a pleasant golden color from the sweet potato and annatto. Ukoy is usually made with unpeeled shrimp and the peel is eaten. You can use peeled shrimp if you prefer. Also spelled okoy. 

Yakitori

(Japanese grilled chicken skewers)

Yakitori is great Japanese street food. Bite-sized pieces of chicken are threaded onto bamboo skewers, grilled over a charcoal flame and basted with tare, a teriyaki-style glaze. Hungry commuters, scurrying home at the end of the day, buy yakitori from vendors outside train stations and gobble them down, finishing up with a shot of sake.