10 Traditional Jamaican Snacks
Sweet Like Suga!

Traditional Jamaican Snacks

Everyone is familiar with Jamaica's delicious food, but what about snacks? Traditional Jamaican snacks are beyond scrumptious, and they are finally getting their highlight!

See Also: Jamaican Coco Bread Recipe

It is a well-known fact that Jamaica is home to some of the best tasting food in the world. We are well-known for our jerk chicken and pork, as well as our rice and peas, however, our snacks are definitely nothing to scoff at either. 

From delectable cakes to delicious puddings, our mouth-watering treats have both locals and visitors alike begging for more. So what are some of the favourites?

Coconut Drops

These are always a popular treat, small pieces of coconut drizzled and boiled in brown sugar and spices. While they are traditionally placed on a greased banana leaf to cool and harden, contemporary bakers use greased pans.

Grater Cake

Another wildly popular coconut based dessert; the grater cake is very high in sugar content giving it a whole new meaning to sweet treat.

Finely grated coconuts form the foundation of this treat along with granulated sugar, spices and food colouring.

‘Blue Drawers’ (Dukunoo)

Never has the seemingly strange concoction of coconut, green bananas and sweet potatoes tasted so good. This treat, at times called ‘Tie a Leaf’ is uniquely prepared as the mixture of coconut, green bananas and sweet potatoes boiled and served in tied banana leaves.

Tamarind Balls

Who knew such a simple treat could be so delicious? Made from tamarinds rolled in sugar, this treat is loved by both the young and young at heart and is a popular snack during the summer months.

It is, by the way, one of the items we have on our e-store here.

Gizzada

The coconut seems to be the go to component for the majority of Jamaica’s sweet treats, because here it is once more making an appearance in the gizzada.

With a similar preparation style to the grater cake, save for the method of the grated coconuts being placed inside creative flat cups made of flour and the use of brown sugar instead of granulated.

Buss Mi Jaw

Don’t be fooled by these small , brown cube-shaped candies packaged in white paper, they pack quite the punch in the texture department. At first taste, buss mi jaw candies will make you fall in love with its faint vanilla malt taste, but bite into them too hard and you may break a tooth or …well, the name says it.

Cornmeal Pudding

Photo Credit | @WestIndianGroceryDelivery

Listen when I tell you, you have not lived until you have had the slice of heaven that is a piece of cornmeal pudding. Want to know how delicious it is?

The process of baking this pudding is nicknamed “hell at top, hell at bottom and hallelujah in the middle” .

This describes the process of baking the pudding over hot coal , and also putting hot coal on a metal cover on top of the pudding, which gives delicious results.

Patties

My friend, if you have ever had a Jamaican patty from one of our many patty shops across the island, you have experienced a close to orgasmic taste bonanza.

I am not exaggerating.

Those flaky crusted snacks which come with beef, beef with cheese, chicken and even vegetable centers, depending on which one you want, are beyond delicious.

Back To Top Of Traditional Jamaican Snacks

Plantains

A Jamaican breakfast is incomplete without a helping of sweet, fried ripe or green plantains.

Yes, the banana’s cousin is one of Jamaica’s favourite snacks and breakfast food.

You can get your own plantain and fry it, or you can buy one of the pre- packaged packs of the delicious sliced treat, either way I promise you it will be scrumptious.

Banana Chips

Ok hear me out, fried slices of green bananas with a pinch of salt to enhance the taste, sounds delicious right? Because it is! 

Banana chips are a big thing here in Jamaica, annd with several companies making the snack and now fresh new variations of it, we often find ourselves with at least three brands and types of chips in our pantry every week! 

Now down to serious business, we need an answer for an age old debate, Chippies or St. Mary’s banana chips?

I have a favourite but I'll never tell :-)

Not banana chips? So what are your favourite Jamaican snacks and why?
Tell us in the comments below.

And while here, check out my fun video below...

WATCH VIDEO: 21 Must-Have Foods When You Visit Jamaica

Back To Top Of Traditional Jamaican Snacks

Sources & References for Traditional Jamaican Snacks

1. "Do you Remember These Snacks", https://www.loopjamaica.com/content/do-you-remember-those-snacks


2. "Haitian and Jamaican Patties", https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/dining/jamaican-beef-patty-branch-kafe-louverture-review.html

Return to Food From Jamaica from Traditional Jamaican Snacks
Return to My-Island-Jamaica.com Homepage from Traditional Jamaican Snacks

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

SHOP JAMAICAN Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. What Foods Do Jamaicans Eat The Most?

   Nov 10, 24 08:38 AM

   
   Jamaica has quite the cuisine, one we love to share with the rest of the world! What foods do Jamaicans eat the most? Here are the dishes in every Jamaican diet

   Read More

2. RADA Partners with Spice Farmers to Boost Production

   Nov 09, 24 10:02 PM

   The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has been collaborating with Jamaican farmers who cultivate turmeric, ginger, and pimento to implement

   Read More

3. Five Jamaicans Honoured at the Viola Desmond Awards

   Nov 09, 24 09:50 PM

   At the 16th annual Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Ceremony hosted by Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada, five individuals of Jamaican heritage

   Read More

4. What Are The Best Hotels On The Beach In Jamaica?

   Nov 07, 24 07:26 PM

   
   So, you want to know what are the best hotels on the beach in Jamaica? Well, we’ve curated a list of some of the best in our most popular destination spots.

   Read More

5. Where Is Jamaica Located?

   Nov 07, 24 10:44 AM

   
   Where is Jamaica located exactly? America, Africa or the Caribbean? The precise location of the island is often confused. That’s okay. Let’s clear it up today.

   Read More