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    Home » Recipe Collections

    Cuban Appetizers and Snacks

    Published: Dec 22, 2021 · Modified: Sep 5, 2022 by Elizabeth · Leave a Comment

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    These Cuban appetizers and snacks will be a great addition to your holiday party or any special occasion. In this collection you can explore a variety of popular Cuban recipes that will bring tropical vibes to your next party.

    An image of 10 empanadas lined up in two rows on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack.

    Many of the ingredients used in Cuban cuisine are easy to find but some of the exotic ones can require some effort. Not to worry, in this Cuban recipe collection you can find suitable substitutions and frozen alternatives to fresh ingredients. To learn more about cooking Cuban style, read our Cuban food basics post.

    Read on to find wonderful appetizer ideas for gameday, your next tropical themed party, or anytime.

    1. Medianoche

    An image of the sandwich one half stacked on the other half with plantain chips on the right side and displayed on a black cutting board on a blue table.

    A medianoche (which translates to midnight) is a popular sandwich typically eaten as a snack or after a night of partying. Cut them into strips or triangles to make them into small sandwich bites.

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    2. Chicharrones de pollo

    Chicharrones de pollo on a bed of plantain chips garnished with lime wedges.

    Replace chicken wings at your next party with the Cuban version of fried chicken. In this recipe, dark meat chicken pieces are cut into chunks and seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper. Then they’re coated in seasoned flour and fried until golden and crispy.

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    3. Malanga chips

    Malanga chips in a terracotta bowl on a red, plaid linen.

    Malanga is a starchy root vegetable that’s popular in the Caribbean and Latin America. They are similar to potatoes with a mild, earthy flavor. These crispy baked malanga chips are easy to make and perfect for snacking.

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    4. Chicken Empanadas

    Chicken empanadas in a basket lined with a red and white checkered paper with hot sauce and a platter of empanadas in the background.

    These shredded chicken empanadas are great as an appetizer or snack. With shredded chicken in a flavorful tomato sauce, these will be a delicious addition to any party.

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    5. Cuban Sandwich

    A close up image of the cuban sandwich displayed on a black surface with yellow plantain chips on the right hand side.

    The Cuban sandwich (also called a Cubano) is made with ham, roast pork, pickles and swiss cheese all generously stacked on Cuban bread. Then the sandwich is then lightly buttered and pressed until toasty. Make a large sandwich and cut it into strips or triangles for a delicious appetizer that will fly off the table.

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    6. Frituras de Malanga

    Malanga Fritters displayed on a white platter.

    Frituras de malanga (malanga fritters) are grated malanga combined with egg and flavored with parsley, garlic, salt and vinegar. They’re crispy on the outside, tender and mild on the inside.

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    7. Yuca Frita

    Fried yuca served with a light green cilantro sauce, served in a small metal pan.

    Fried yuca is similar to French fries. It has a mild flavor, with a creamy and slightly grainy texture. When they’re fried the outside gets super crispy and the inside stays soft and creamy. Serve them with a cilantro garlic sauce and make sure you get one before they are all gone.

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    8. Crema de Malanga

    Crema de Malanga served in a red bowl and garnished with chopped parsley and drops of olive oil

    Crema de Malanga (cream of malanga) is a thick, creamy soup, made creamy more by the texture of the Malanga root than actual cream. It’s a perfect starter because it will tide everyone over until dinner is ready without being too filling.

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    9. Pastelitos de Carne

    Pastelito de carne being glazed with honey with a gray pastry brush

    Pastelitos de carne are meat filled pastries that are topped with a sweet glaze. These are my absolute favorite appetizer, and they are super easy to make. For the pastry we take help from the market and purchase puff pastry; and that sweet glaze is honey.

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    10. Tostones

    Tostones are fried green plantains; actually, they’re twice fried green plantains. They are often served as a side dish to a myriad of Cuban dishes, but they are great as an appetizer too. You can even top them with cooked shrimp or ropa vieja to make them extra special.

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    11. Sopa de Platano

    Sopa de platano served in a terracotta bowl with lime wedges in the background.

    Sopa de platano (plantain soup) is a thick, starchy soup. This is a Cuban-style sopa de platano that is wonderful to serve before dinner. The ingredients for this soup are few and simple so that the plantains get a chance to shine.

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    12. Cuban Sliders

    The sliders already cut but not separated displayed on a wood cutting board.

    These Cuban sliders are a mini version of the popular Cuban sandwich. They’re made with pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles all layered on slider buns. They’re a fun addition to any party and a crowd pleaser for sure!

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    13. Cuban Coffee

    Cuban coffee served in a clear espresso cup and set on a white napkin.

    A little Cuban coffee (café cubano) offers your guests a little pick-me-up. Make a colada at the beginning of the party then a little more towards the end (especially if there is dancing involved). This recipe breaks down the steps to making the best Cuban coffee!

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    14. Empanadas

    An image of ten fried empanadas arranged on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack.

    These Cuban-style beef empanadas are filled with a flavorful picadillo. They are ideal for breakfast, as an appetizer or mid-day snack.

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    Need Cuban recipes for the main dish? Try one of these:

    • Camarones Enchilados
    • Bistec de Palomilla
    • Fricase de Pollo
    • Arroz con Pollo
    • Cuban Roast Pork (Lechon Asado)
    • Cuban Picadillo

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    Check out the Web Story for tasty Cuban appetizers and snacks for a quick visual on these delicious recipes.

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    Hi, I’m Elizabeth! welcome to Cook2eatwell. Food is my favorite subject; I like to cook food, talk about food, write about food, and most importantly, eat food. Lucky for me, my husband Eddie feels the same way. 

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