In Nigeria, food is more than just a means of sustenance. It’s a way to come together and share stories, laughter, and love. From savory starters to hearty main dishes, there’s something for everyone to love. If you’re looking for a taste of Nigerian culture, here are some of the country’s most popular finger foods (popularly called small chops) that you should try out.
1. Samosa: A favorite snack of many Nigerians, samosas are fried or baked pastries filled with meat or vegetables. The dough is usually made of wheat flour, though some recipes use phyllo dough or puff pastry.
2. Buns: Buns are soft, round pieces of bread that are often sweetened with sugar or honey. They make a perfect snack on the go and can be enjoyed with tea or coffee.
3. Chin-chin: Chin-chin is a type of fried pastry that’s popular in Nigeria. It’s made with flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter or margarine. The dough is then cut into small pieces and deep-fried until it’s golden brown.
4. Asun: Asun is goat meat that’s been spiced and grilled to perfection. It’s a popular street food in Nigeria and is often served as a side, with other finger foods or eaten alone. Here’s a guide on how it is made on this link.
5. Puff-puff: This is the king of finger foods. Puff-puff is a deep-fried dough that’s similar to donuts or churros. It’s made with flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, and water or milk. The dough is then deep-fried until it’s golden brown and puffy.
6. Spring roll: Spring rolls are a type of flaky pastry that’s filled with vegetables, meat, or seafood. They’re popular in Nigerian cuisine and are often served as appetizers with a peppery sauce by the side for dip.
7. Gizdodo: Gizdodo is a dish made with chicken or turkey gizzards and dodo (fried plantain). It’s usually served as a side dish with rice or other main dishes.
8. Club sandwich: The club sandwich is a popular finger food in Nigeria. It’s made with slices of bread, usually toasted, and filled with chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
9. Chicken nuggets: Chicken nuggets are bite-sized pieces of chicken that are breaded and deep-fried. They make a perfect snack or side dish and can be served with dipping sauces such as ketchup, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
10. Sausage rolls: Sausage rolls are another favorite finger food in Nigeria. They’re made with sausage meat that’s wrapped in puff pastry and then baked until golden brown.
11. Beef and chicken kebabs: Kebabs are a type of skewered meat that’s popular in Nigerian cuisine. They’re made with beef or chicken that’s been marinated and then grilled or roasted. Kebabs are often served as appetizers or main dishes.
12. Chicken wings: Chicken wings are bite-sized pieces of chicken that are roasted, grilled or deep-fried. They make a great appetizer or main dish and can be served with dipping sauces such as barbecue sauce or hot sauce.
13. Peppered snails: Peppered snails are also quite popular in the finger food family. They’re made with snail meat that’s been cooked in a flavorful pepper sauce. The snails are then served with a toothpick for easy eating or as a side with your main meal.
14. Meat pie: Meat pies are savory pastries that are filled with meat, vegetables, or both. They make a great snack or main dish and can be served hot or cold. Just remember to pair it with a glass of cold juice or any drink of your choice for premium enjoyment and satisfaction.
Finger foods are perfect for any gathering, whether it’s a small get-together with family and friends or a large party. There’s something for everyone when it comes to Nigerian finger foods, so be sure to try as many of them as you can! Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
We have restaurants on our platform that serve these finger foods as appetizers. Restaurants like 15 on Herbert and the likes, you can make a reservation our platform today, click here.
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