Central and South America are home to unique cultures and food due to their history and awe-inspiring nature. Although many regions are hot and humid, some areas are mountainous and have cooler climates. Each country is capable of growing a wide range of produce and spices due to these varied weather conditions.
Just like other countries, those in Latin America have seen an emergence of fried, sweet, or spicy snacks commonly available in grocery stores. However, most haven’t become commonly available outside of the country in which they originated.
Some Mexican snacks have gained popularity across North America and Latin America but snacks from other parts of Central and South America have yet to break on to the mainstream market. Explore the vibrant flavors and exciting textures of Latin America with our top 10 snacks.
1. Takis Fuego Hot Chili Pepper and Lime Flavor
Takis are popular in many countries because of their unique spicy flavor combinations. They’re made with corn tortillas for authentic Mexican flavor and amazing crunch.
One of our favorite varieties is the Hot Chili Pepper and Lime flavor, but all their flavors are excellent, including their more familiar cheese flavors. However, they’re much spicier than most American snacks, so keep a glass of water or a Cola Champagne Cuzcatlan on hand.
2. De La Rosa Mazapan Style Peanut Candy
This candy may look plain, but it packs delicious peanut flavor and is a classic treat in Mexico. Like marzipan, these candies are soft and crumble easily, making them perfect for eating in two or three bites.
They’re 1 oz. each, so they’re ideal as a small afternoon snack. Buy several so you can share them with other fans of peanut snacks. Their unique blend of almond and peanut flavor makes them one of the world’s best marzipan treats.
3. Delicitos Pepper Snack
Delicitos are very popular throughout Brazil and come in multiple flavors. They have a puffed-up pillow-shaped appearance that makes them stand out from other chip varieties. The pepper flavor has a mild spice with a nice complexity that makes it easy to eat a whole bag in one sitting.
They’re great for game day parties and other social events and they also work well on long car trips since they won’t make you too thirsty and won’t leave your hands messy from seasoning.
4. Costa Doblon
These long oval biscuits from Chile aren’t as sweet as you would expect, making them a pleasantly light snack. They are similar to biscuits you’d find in the United Kingdom or other parts of Europe.
They have a delicious vanilla filling and a thin coating of chocolate on the outside. They pair well with tea, milk, or even hot cocoa and many people even like to dip these biscuits in their drinks.
5. Galletas Rellenitas Chocolate and Vanilla Sandwich Cookies
Peru made our list of ultimate food destinations as its excellent snack options certainly perfectly reflect their exciting approach to cuisine. Galletas Rellenitas have a perfect balance of sweetness that makes them a little more kid-friendly than other European-style biscuits.
These sandwich cookies pair crisp vanilla cookies with dual layers of chocolate and vanilla creme. Like Costa Doblons, these cookies pair well with a variety of drinks, especially coffee. Each small package is perfect for a single serving of an afternoon snack.
6. Cacahuates Japones – Japanese Style Cocktail Peanuts
Despite their name, these peanuts are made in Mexico. They have a lightly spicy and salty coating and are very crunchy. They pair well with a refreshing beverage but are just as delicious on their own. Try making a party snack mix with these peanuts and some hot chips like Takis or Delicitos.
7. Ambrosoli Oh! Candy
Ambrosoli is one of Chile’s biggest candy companies, and their products cover a huge range of flavor profiles. One of our favorites is the aptly-named Oh! milk candy.
Although they look like caramel or toffee, they have a nutty milk flavor that makes them a unique addition to your snack stash. They’re a great choice for snack fans who like subtle sweetness instead of overwhelming flavor. Plus, they’re individually-wrapped for easy sharing.
8. Ambrosoli Frugelé Frutos
We’re convinced that these are the best fruit gummies in all of Latin America. They’re made with real fruit juice so they taste like fresh fruit. They include familiar flavors like orange, apple, strawberry, and grape, but don’t use too much extra sugar or artificial flavoring like many American fruit snacks.
Each package contains 100g, so it’s the perfect size to share with a friend. Stock up on them for after-school or weekend treats.
9. Canel’s Mini Jelly Beans
Canel’s specializes in chewing gum, but their jelly beans and other snacks are also renowned throughout Mexico. These jelly beans are available both in regular and sour cherry flavor and both varieties are incredibly flavorful.
This product’s packaging features 10 small packets of jelly beans attached in a long rope. You can give individual packets to kids on Halloween or any time of year. Pack them in kids’ lunches or take some to work.
10. Pigui Slaps Watermelon
Pigui Slaps are soft, foldable lollipops that are fun to eat. They are available in a variety of flavors, but their watermelon flavor is a fan favorite.
This is probably the sweetest item on our list, and it’s best for people with a serious sweet tooth. However, it is sure to be a hit with kids because of its unusual shape.
Trying a Fresh Selection of Snacks
Getting your hands on exciting new snacks from Latin America can be a challenge, especially if you don’t live near a grocery store specializing in Mexican or other Latin American foods. However, you shouldn’t miss out on these amazing snacks and candies.
MunchPak specializes in unique Latin American snacks and other food products from around the world. We have a selection of salty, savory, and sweet snacks in individually-sized packages so you can try a huge variety. Explore our website for options from Asia, Europe, and North America. Try our snack box subscription for the latest snack adventures. Whether you love spicy chili flavors or want a sweet treat to enjoy after lunch, you’ll find something new to try without having to leave your home.
Click below and subscribe for your monthly international snack boxes today!
