When you think of Italian cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is probably pasta or pizza. However, there are many delicious snacks that can be found in Italy. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular Italian snacks. From freshly made dishes to packaged snacks that are commonly found, there are many options when it comes to snacks in Italy.
Whether you are visiting Italy or just looking for something new to eat, you will find something delicious. If you are not traveling but craving to have a taste of Italy, you will find Italian snacks you can buy online at the end.
Most Popular Italian snack
Pizza al Taglio
Pizza al Taglio is one of the most popular snacks in Italy among locals and visitors. Probably because it’s pizza, and everyone knows you have to eat pizza while in Italy because the two are just so synonymous.
Pizza al Taglio is a type of rectangular pizza that is sold by the slice and is most popular in Rome. This is because it originated in Rome, but can now be found all over Italy. The pizza is usually made with a thinner crust than traditional Italian pizzas, and the toppings range from your simple, classic flavors to something fancy.
Pizza al Taglio is a great snack for when you’re on the go, and it’s also a lot cheaper than buying a whole pizza. Therefore, it is also a super popular street food in Italy. If you’re in Rome and looking for a quick and cheap snack, be sure to grab a Pizza al Taglio.
Savory Italian Snacks In Italy
Panini
A panini is a type of Italian sandwich that is made with bread that has been toasted or grilled. The bread is then filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Panini are popular all over Italy, but they originated in the Lombardy region These days, you can find them all over the country, and they come in all sorts of different flavors. It is similar to going to a sandwich shop and having all the fanciful choices of subs.
For a quick and tasty snack in Italy, a panini is a great choice. And if you’re traveling in Florence, be sure to try one from All’Antico Vinaio, which is widely considered to be one of the best sandwich shops in the city.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a type of Italian appetizer that consists of grilled bread that is topped with various toppings. The most common toppings are tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil, but you can also find bruschetta with all sorts of different toppings.
Bruschetta is believed to have originated in ancient Rome, and popularized in the 15th century. These days, you can find bruschetta all over the country in various flavors, almost like Spanish Tapas.
Bruschetta is a great choice for an Italian snack. When traveling in Rome, take the opportunity to try this snack from Baguetteria del Fico, which is often praised for their delicious bruschettas.
Arancini
Arancini are a type of fried rice ball that originates from Sicily. They’re typically made with rice that’s been cooked with saffron, then formed into a ball and filled with various ingredients, such as cheese, ham, or tomato sauce. The balls are then breaded and fried.
Arancini are a popular street food in Sicily and can be found in most Italian cities. If you’re looking for a delicious and filling snack, head to a Sicilian bakery or street food vendor and try an Arancini!
These deep-fried rice balls are a Sicilian specialty, but you can now find them all
Tramezzino
The tramezzino is a type of sandwich that’s popular in Italy, especially in Venice. It’s made with two slices of crustless white bread that are filled with various ingredients, such as ham, tuna, cheese, and vegetables.
The beauty of the tramezzino is that it can be either sweet or savory, depending on the filling. The most common sweet fillings are Nutella and jam, while the savory options include cheese, ham, and tuna.
The soft texture of the white bread mixed with simple flavors from the filling makes it a popular snack in Italy. If you’re traveling in Venice and looking for a quick bite, head to one of the many bakeries that sell Tramezzini. You can also find them in most Italian cities.
Polpette
Polpette are Italian meatballs that are deep-fried to create a crispy ball of delicious goodness. It is a staple Italian snack that can be found all over the country.
The most common type of Polpette is made with ground beef, but you can also find versions made with pork or lamb. The meat is usually also mixed with other ingredients such as parsley, garlic eggs, cheese, or even other vegetables, before being rolled into a meatball.
This is a great finger food that is popular among kids. They are usually eaten individually, although it also works well in the settings of a meatball pasta.
Crema Frita
Crema Frita is a fried custard that’s popular in Italy’s Veneto region. It’s made with eggs, milk, sugar, and lemon zest, and it’s typically served as a dessert. The custard is fried in olive oil or lard until it forms a golden-brown crust. Once it’s crispy on the outside, it’s sprinkled with sugar and served warm.
If you are a fan of fried cheese, you will probably adore this Italian snack as well. Similarly, they are very common in fun fairs, carnivals, and festive events. These are traditionally served in diamonds or squares.
They are commonly included as part of an Italian Fritti platter in the Emilia-Romagna region. As a dessert, this can also go well with a scoop of ice cream, similar to Leche Frita in Spanish desserts.
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Crostini
Crostini is Italian for “little toasts”. They are small slices of bread that are usually topped with some type of spread or topping.
The bread is typically Italian style, meaning it’s thin and crispy. The most common toppings for crostini are tomatoes, olive oil, cured meats, and cheeses.
Crostini are a popular starter or appetizer in Italy, but they can also be eaten as a snack. They are easy to make at home, but you can also find them in most restaurants.
If you want to try making crostini at home, all you need is some Italian bread and your favorite toppings. It is one of the simplest and most customizable snacks in Italy.
Grissini
Grissini are Italian breadsticks that were invented in the 17th century by a baker from Turin. They quickly became popular all over Piedmont and then all of Italy. These days, you can find them all over the world!
Grissini are long and thin, and usually have a slightly crunchy texture. They are traditionally made with only flour, water, salt, and yeast. However, there are now many variations of Grissini that include different types of flour, olive oil, sesame seeds, and even chocolate! I have been impressed by black ones that use squid ink and boast a strong cheese flavor.
If you want to try authentic Italian Grissini, head to Piedmont where they were invented. You can also find them in most Italian supermarkets, but the artisanal ones are the best.
Sfogliatelle
Sfogliatelle are a type of Italian pastry that originated in Naples. They are made with a layer of flaky dough that is filled with ricotta cheese, and then rolled into a log shape and baked.
Sfogliatelle literally means “layers”, which refers to the many layers of dough that make up this pastry. The dough is made by stretching and folding it until it forms hundreds of thin layers. This is what gives the Sfogliatelle its signature flaky texture.
The fillings for Sfogliatelle can vary, but the most popular version is filled with ricotta cheese. Other common fillings include chocolate, candied fruit, or Italian sausage.
If you’re visiting Naples, be sure to try a Sfogliatelle from one of the many bakeries that specialize in this pastry. You can also find them in other parts of Italy, as well as in Italian bakeries around the world.
READ MORE: 15 ITALIAN SOUPS IN ITALY YOU HAVE TO TRY
Sweet Italian Snacks In Italy
Pasticciotto
The Pasticciotto is a dessert that originates from the town of Galatine in Lecce in the 1700s. Some believe it dates back even further, over 500 years ago.
It’s a type of pastry filled with custard, cream, or ricotta cheese, and then covered in chocolate or vanilla icing. Pasticciotti are usually small and oval-shaped, but you can also find them in different sizes and shapes.
It is probably also not surprising to know that you can sometimes even find them with different fillings such as chocolate cream or blueberry, as people get innovative with it. This Italian treat is often eaten as a snack, dessert, or breakfast in Italy. You can find them in most bakeries in the Salento region.
Tiramisu
This Italian dessert is made with coffee-soaked Savoiardi biscuits (otherwise known as ladyfingers), mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder. Tiramisu literally means “pick me up” or “cheer me up” in Italian, and that’s exactly what this dessert will do!
The history of tiramisu is a bit disputed, but it’s believed to have originated in the Veneto region in the 1800s. Now, it’s one of the most popular Italian desserts both in Italy and around the world.
If you want to try tiramisu from the place of origin while you’re in Italy, head to the city of Treviso. This lip-smacking dessert is great as an Italian snack during tea time as well.
Pizzelle
Pizzelle are Italian waffle cookies that are made with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking powder. They are usually flavored with vanilla or anise. Pizzelle are thin and have a delicate flavor.
They are usually served at Christmas and other holidays, but you can also find them year-round. Pizzelle can be made in chocolate and other flavors by simply tweaking the recipe as well. These are usually eaten plain but as with regular waffles, you can imagine they are also great foundations to be creative – by spreading Nutella on them or dipping them in chocolate, etc.
Cannoli
Cannoli are Italian pastries from the Sicilian region. They are made with a shell of fried dough that is filled with a sweet ricotta cheese filling. Cannoli are typically served as a dessert, but are most certainly great Italian snacks as well.
The word “cannolo” comes from the Italian word for “tube”, which refers to the shape of the pastry. The filling for cannoli is typically a sweetened ricotta cheese, but it can also be mixed with chocolate chips, candied fruit, or nuts. You will see them sticking out at both ends of the cone.
Cannoli’s ricotta fillings were originally made with sheep’s milk ricotta, but nowadays they are more commonly made with cow’s milk ricotta. If you’re in Sicily, be sure to try this traditional Sicilian snack.
Tartufo
If you are looking for a cold snack in Italy, definitely consider a Tartufo. This is a type of Italian dessert that consists of a ball of ice cream, usually chocolate or vanilla flavored, with a hard shell coating. It’s then typically rolled in chocolate shavings, nuts, or candy pieces.
The sweet Italian treat originated in Pizzo, Calabria. However, you can now find it all over Italy and even in other countries.
While the traditional version is made with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, there are now many different flavors of Tartufo available. Some of the most popular include strawberries, pistachio, and coffee.
If you want to try this delicious Italian dessert, head to one of the many gelaterias (ice cream shops) in Italy.
Gelato
Speaking of gelaterias, we obviously have to mention gelato. There is no bad time for gelato, and it is certainly a popular option for snacking in Italy.
Gelato is a type of Italian ice cream that is made with milk, sugar, and various flavorings. The most common flavors are chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, pistachio, and coffee.
While gelato is similar to other types of ice cream, there are a few key differences. First of all, it contains less air and is thus denser. It is also served at a slightly warmer temperature than other ice creams.
Be sure to head to one of the many gelaterias, and try some delicious gelato while in Italy.
Cantucci / Biscotti
Cantucci are Italian biscuits that are popular all over the country. They’re also known as Biscotti di Prato, thanks to their city of origin: Prato in Tuscany.
They’re twice-baked almond cookies that were originally created as a way to preserve bread dough. Nowadays, they’re a beloved Italian dessert, often served with Vin Santo, a sweet Italian dessert wine.
When consumed as an afternoon Italian snack, Biscotti is often dipped in coffee or eaten with ricotta cheese instead.
Necci
Necci is a type of Italian chestnut pancake that has its origins in Tuscany. It is more popular in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia. Necci is extremely simple and typically made with just chestnut flour and water. The dough is then rolled and fried into thin pancakes.
They are usually served with either ricotta cheese or honey, where you just wrap these fillings up in the Necci to make a simple yet tasty crepe. Of course, you can wrap anything or spread anything you like on it.
In fact, it is believed that in the past, peasants have it with savory fillings, making it a cheap and easy meal. Although most people have it with sweet complementing ingredients today.
Packaged Italian Snacks In Italy
In today’s modern world, packaged snacks from supermarkets and stores are also a popular choice for snacking. And they can be taken around easily, or even brought home as gifts. Here are just a few to consider from snacks in Italy.
Italian Chocolates
Chocolates are always a good idea, right? But Italian chocolates are on another level. They’re some of the best in the world!
There are countless chocolate shops all over Italy, but we recommend trying the chocolates from Amedei. Founded in 1990, Amedei is now one of the most famous Italian chocolatiers.
Their chocolates are made with only the finest ingredients, including single-origin cocoa beans from South America. And they have a huge range of different flavors, from dark chocolate to milk chocolate to white chocolate.
Perugina Baci chocolates and Ferrero Rocher are other well-known brands that can be found almost globally.
From artisanal to international brands, check out some of the most famous Italian chocolates to try.
Lazzaroni Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti cookies are a type of Italian cookie that originated in the city of Saronno, in Lombardy. They are made with almonds, egg whites, and sugar, and have a chewy texture with a slightly crunchy exterior.
These cookies are often served alongside coffee or dessert, but can also be eaten on their own as a snack. Lazzaroni Amaretti is a popular brand to try for some of these tasty Amaretti cookies.
Loacker Wafer Cookies
These Italian cookies are made by the family-owned company Loacker. The company started in 1925 in the Italian Alps and today, their products can be found all over the world.
They get ingredients from high-quality sources such as Tuscany’s hazelnut farms. The cocoa is sourced from South America and Africa.
Mulino Bianco Cookies
Mulino Bianco is an Italian brand of cookies and biscuits that was founded in Emilia-Romagna during the 1970s. It’s now a subsidiary of the Barilla Group.
They are known for their baked goodies, and have a wide range of different cookies, from classic Italian favorites to more modern flavors and designs. It is a very common brand to find in Italian supermarkets and so many options.
La Florentine Torrone
Torrone is a type of Italian nougat that is made with honey, sugar, egg whites, and nuts. It originates from the Italian city of Cremona and is a popular Christmas treat in Italy. Nonetheless, as one of the most traditional Italian sweets, it is good any day for a snack.
La Florentine is a popular brand of torrone that makes both traditional and modern flavors. They are easily recognized from their nostalgic Renaissance-looking packaging Their Torrone includes ingredients such as almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, and chocolate for a variety of flavors.
Discovering Tasty Italian Snacks In Italy
Italian snacks are some of the most varied and delicious in the world. From classic favorites like pizza and pasta to regional specialties that you won’t find anywhere else, there are sweet and savory options for all tastes.
Regardless if you are sightseeing in Milan or having a picnic at the beaches in Palermo, these are some tasty food options to consider.
And if you’re not traveling to Italy anytime soon – some of these snacks are available all over the globe. So whether you’re looking for a quick bite or want to take your time and enjoy an Italian-style afternoon snack, you have options to choose from.
