Dominican Snacks - 20 Popular Merienda Ideas

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Some of these tasty snacks are uniquely traditional Dominican food, while others have their counterparts in other Caribbean islands and Latin American countries.

In the latter case, each one has its own distinctive Dominican touch.

What is a Dominican snack?

Dominican fruits are the simplest snacks you can find, but if we had to pick a top three, it would probably be pastelitos, quipes, and croquetas. But there are many more to choose from. Here's a selection of traditional Dominican snacks you'll find in the blog. As you will see, there's considerable overlap between the categories into which we've attempted to divide them.

The recipes featured below range from very simple snacks you can prepare in a couple of minutes to the more elaborate ones. Many, but not all, are fried, and some can also be baked or prepared in an air fryer for a lighter alternative.

On road trips

A road trip in the DR isn't complete without a stop to buy refreshments and some artisanal queso de hoja, a white cheese similar to mozzarella. Best enjoyed with galletas de panaderia - savory crackers.

Boruga, a yogurt drink made with fermented milk is another obligatory purchase while on a road trip, especially at the paradores on the Autopista Duarte. Drink it ice cold but make sure you buy enough to take some home for later.

Chicharrón

Pork rinds or pork crackling - Chicharrones - are sold everywhere in the Dominican Republic, on roadsides, and in cities and towns, the most famous being in Villa Mella. A favorite roadside and late-night snack that you can replicate in the comfort of your own home.

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Batata asada

This is another roadside favorite, sold from stalls along the Duarte Highway that links Santo Domingo with Santiago. Make it at home and drink it with a steaming cup of Chocolate con leche or the hot drink of your choice.

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Late-night snacks

In our country, the ideal snack after a night of partying is found in a carrito (street food cart).

Chimi [Video+Recipe] Dominican Chimichurri Burger

Late-night parties and after parties are some of our favorite occasions to head out to a fritura or carrito for one of our favorite street foods. You can't miss our beloved chimi, or Dominican chimichurri, the official Dominican hamburger / sandwich.

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Rikitaki and Frikitaki

Learn how to make Rikitaki y Frikitaki, the Dominican sandwiches with egg, green tomatoes, and ground meat or salami popular with night revelers and weekend partiers.

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Yaroa

This filling dish, best enjoyed after a night out on the tiles, was first spotted in Santiago but can also be found in popular night spots like the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, along with classics like chimichurri and mofongo. With our recipe, you don't need to go out to enjoy it.

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Sandwich de pierna

See how easy it is to make Sandwich de pierna, the flavorful Dominican pulled pork sandwich, great to reuse Christmas pork roast leftovers.

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Mofongo

Mofongo is a traditional dish found in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican version is made with roasted plantains, chicharrones, and a ton of garlic and we help you make it at home with this recipe.

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Chulitos

Having these yuca rolls filled with spicy meat may not have been everyone's choice of late-night snack, but it was in my hometown of Montecristi, where you could find the best Chulitos in the whole of La Linea.

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Party food - Picadera, and street food

In the Dominican Republic, the picadera (buffet) is usually ordered from small-scale home-based businesses or more formal local restaurants or specialty food businesses.

Pastelitos and empanaditas

Empanadas, also known as pastelitos, tick all the boxes. Party food, street food, roadside snack. The main ingredients used in the fillings include chicken, pork, beef, lambí (conch), cheese, or vegetables like corn. We also have some sweet versions.

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Bollitos de yuca

Bollitos de yuca (cassava balls stuffed with melted cheese) are deliciously crispy outside, and soft and cheesy inside. Easy to make, they are always a big favorite.

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Empanada de yuca

Empanaditas de yuca are tasty, gluten-free cassava empanadas made with cassava flour. They have a surprising crunchiness and lovely flavor.

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Quipe or kipe

Quipe or Kipe - deep friend bulgur roll - is the Dominicanized version of the Lebanese Kibbeh, and is made with minced beef and bulgur. It's one of our best-loved appetizers, an essential at parties. With or without raisins? It's a matter of taste.

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Croquetas

Chicken croquettes are another picadera standard also popular as street food, loved by the locals. You can make them with tuna fish, ham or cheese, but chicken is the most common version in the Dominican Republic.

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Beach food

A day on the beach is not complete with some of our favorites.

Yaniqueque

Beach days have their own distinctive snacks and dishes. If you're looking for some uncomplicated ideas for a day at the beach, we have them here. And the one you won't want to miss if you visit Boca Chica - one of the most famous Dominican beaches - is yaniqueque. It goes so well with an ice-cold beer or a glass of Morir soñando, a traditional drink made with milk and orange juice.

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Yuca frita

Cassava fries are much tastier than their more famous equivalents made with potatoes, especially when dipped in different sauces, or simply served alongside your favorite pescado frito.

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Pescado frito

Some foods are synonymous with fun, lazy days. Pescado frito (fried fish a la Dominicana), is one of them, tasty, crispy, and flavorful. Learn how to fry fish with Caribbean flavor.

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Batata frita

Try another type of fries with batata (oriental sweet potato/Japanese yam), crispy, mildly sweet, round slices of batata deep fried and sprinkled with salt.  Great on its own, or served with pescado frito.

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