Snacks aren’t only for children. Long after leaving school, snacking remains a vital part of our lives, and when done right, can help curb appetite and add nutritional value to our diet.
We went on Twitter, BBM, Facebook and Whatsapp asking Nigerians what their best snacks are. Here are the most popular ten:
1. Biscuits: Many of us munched on Cabin Biscuits growing up, even slathering margarine between two for a little sandwich, or soaking it in milk for “cabin flakes”! Ah, Cabin, succour of the hostel students! And of course there was “akpu biscuit” in the rural areas. Some favour crackers, others cookies, and people like me prefer wafers, but we can all agree this snack isn’t going anywhere.
2. Meatpie: Of course good old “meatpipe” made the list! Even though it’s annoying to sometimes bite into one and find that it contains more potatoes than meat, this is still a go-to snack for Nigerians any day.
3. Puff-puff: What can we say about puff puff? It’s soft, chewy, tasty, filling, and there simply is no snack like it. One glance at the light brown snack is enough to make the mouth water. Best eaten hot, puff-puff is the number one citizen in the world of small chops, and is also available on the roadside in many Nigerian cities.
4. Eggroll: Growing up, the eggroll was one snack most of us bought when the urge to snack hit (excluding those who hate eggs!) Many Nigerians love buns, but the eggroll is the richer cousin. I mean, hasn’t your mouth ever watered in anticipation of the whole boiled egg wrapped up inside the yummy dough?
5. Popcorn: Whether it’s sugar-and-salt laden popcorn from a nearby fast food restaurant, light buttery popcorn bought from the store and popped at home, or good old guguru to be eaten with groundnuts, popcorn is certainly a favourite for Nigerians, and will be for a long time.
6. Plantain chips: The difference between kpekere and plantain chips, comedians say, is packaging. Crispy fried plantains have come a long way from the days of cheap thin nylon wrappers. Now housed in solid packets sporting different brand names and flavours (pepper, ginger, salt, onions, etc.), this snack is more popular than ever before. Some also love mekere, the softer version that is more dodo than kpekere.7. Suya: It’s hard to find anything that is more Nigerian than suya. Kilishi is nice but it does not enjoy the pride of place suya does. One scrumptious snack that we have our Hausa brethren to thank for, suya is one important reason Nigeria cannot afford to break up. Argue in the comment section.
8. Samosa: Ever since the “small chops” bug bit Nigerians, samosas have become the darling of many. It’s the first thing many say reach for after the puff puff.
Picture credit: Premium Moission9. Fruits: The new wave of natural and organic lifestyles is very welcome. The benefits are obvious, and this is why more Nigerians are reaching for fruits whenever they’re feeling peckish. Snacking on an apple, or grapes, is not only nutritious but also gives you that natural sweetness that only fruits have.
10. Gala: All hail the king of Nigerian snacks! This sausage roll rules in traffic together with its consort, La Casera, and the power couple is a favourite with children as well. Certainly not the healthiest, it holds a special place in the hearts of Nigerians nonetheless.
What’s your favourite snack? Let us know; leave a comment!
Joy Ehonwa is an editor and a writer who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a proofreading, editing, transcription and ghostwriting service.
Email: pinpointcreatives [at] yahoo.com
Comments (6)
6 thoughts on “Nigerians Share: Top Ten Snacks We Absolutely Love”
Hmmm…nice read. However, I wasn’t sure of the order. Was number one the most popular or was it number ten? Or was it just randomly numbered? Anyway, egg roll, well-made meatpie, kpekere (the ripe one) and suya were my preferences.
Soon as I saw the photo of the puff puff, bells and whistles went off and I mentally reached for a fork.
Oh yes, Nigerians love meatpies and eggrolls. They were the king and queen before awon samosa moved into town.
None of them are my favourites, though. After puff puff (piping hot and slightly peppered, please), do me some mekere any day.
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1. Biscuits: Many of us munched on Cabin Biscuits growing up, even slathering margarine between two for a little sandwich, or soaking it in milk for “cabin flakes”! Ah, Cabin, succour of the hostel students! And of course there was “akpu biscuit” in the rural areas. Some favour crackers, others cookies, and people like me prefer wafers, but we can all agree this snack isn’t going anywhere.
2. Meatpie: Of course good old “meatpipe” made the list! Even though it’s annoying to sometimes bite into one and find that it contains more potatoes than meat, this is still a go-to snack for Nigerians any day.
3. Puff-puff: What can we say about puff puff? It’s soft, chewy, tasty, filling, and there simply is no snack like it. One glance at the light brown snack is enough to make the mouth water. Best eaten hot, puff-puff is the number one citizen in the world of small chops, and is also available on the roadside in many Nigerian cities.
4. Eggroll: Growing up, the eggroll was one snack most of us bought when the urge to snack hit (excluding those who hate eggs!) Many Nigerians love buns, but the eggroll is the richer cousin. I mean, hasn’t your mouth ever watered in anticipation of the whole boiled egg wrapped up inside the yummy dough?
5. Popcorn: Whether it’s sugar-and-salt laden popcorn from a nearby fast food restaurant, light buttery popcorn bought from the store and popped at home, or good old guguru to be eaten with groundnuts, popcorn is certainly a favourite for Nigerians, and will be for a long time.
6. Plantain chips: The difference between kpekere and plantain chips, comedians say, is packaging. Crispy fried plantains have come a long way from the days of cheap thin nylon wrappers. Now housed in solid packets sporting different brand names and flavours (pepper, ginger, salt, onions, etc.), this snack is more popular than ever before. Some also love mekere, the softer version that is more dodo than kpekere.
7. Suya: It’s hard to find anything that is more Nigerian than suya. Kilishi is nice but it does not enjoy the pride of place suya does. One scrumptious snack that we have our Hausa brethren to thank for, suya is one important reason Nigeria cannot afford to break up. Argue in the comment section.
8. Samosa: Ever since the “small chops” bug bit Nigerians, samosas have become the darling of many. It’s the first thing many say reach for after the puff puff.
10. Gala: All hail the king of Nigerian snacks! This sausage roll rules in traffic together with its consort, La Casera, and the power couple is a favourite with children as well. Certainly not the healthiest, it holds a special place in the hearts of Nigerians nonetheless.
What’s your favourite snack? Let us know; leave a comment!
Egg roll was my go-to snack when growing up, until I ate a spoilt one. I switched over to gala since then.
Hmmm…nice read. However, I wasn’t sure of the order. Was number one the most popular or was it number ten? Or was it just randomly numbered? Anyway, egg roll, well-made meatpie, kpekere (the ripe one) and suya were my preferences.
Oh dear! Sorry about the spoilt egg roll, Rosuo. I still love egg rolls, because of my undying love for eggs 😀
@Timothy, in no particular order. Thanks for reading, and sharing your favourites!
Soon as I saw the photo of the puff puff, bells and whistles went off and I mentally reached for a fork.
Oh yes, Nigerians love meatpies and eggrolls. They were the king and queen before awon samosa moved into town.
None of them are my favourites, though. After puff puff (piping hot and slightly peppered, please), do me some mekere any day.
Good post. I certainly love this website.
Continue the good work!