27 BEST Colombian Appetizers! #23 Will Surprise You! 🐜

Never settle for bland! Here are 27 Colombian Appetizers with some South American influence that will give your next party food some punched-up flavor you won’t soon forget!

When you want to try some Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a hint of European influence, then the delectable food delights from Colombia will surely satiate your hungry guests!

While Colombian bakeries, restaurants, and food establishments offer a wide variety of traditional bread, cakes, and sweets, as well as other delectable snacks and appetizers, here’s your chance to make them at home! 

These appetizers are so popular among Colombians that you’ll be able to find them almost anywhere you travel in Colómbia.

You can try your hand by creating some recipes like Aborrajados, Arepa De Choclo, or Hogao (Colombian Creole Sauce).

If you’re up for some challenge, you can try Fried Hormigas Culonas, Chicharrones Colombian Fried Pork Belly, or Chuzos De Carne.

Whichever you prefer, you can make some of Colombia’s most popular appetizers at home.

Go ahead and check out this list of 27 various recipes below for you to try and enjoy.

1. Colombian Beef & Potato Empanadas

If you are craving some empanadas, you might as well consider this dish with a Colombian twist!

As one of the easiest-to-prepare Colombian appetizers, this luscious combination of Yukon gold potatoes with ground pork and beef is a delight to the senses.

This dish is made extra good due to the fact that Colombian empanadas have a lot of spices.

2. Vegan Colombian Empanadas

Just a bite from an empanada will cure one’s craving, but how about you employ a vegan twist to this meal?

This wonderful mix of cornmeal, potato, rice, and mixed vegetables produces one of the most delectable Colombian appetizers that you will truly enjoy.

Don’t miss out on this easy-to-prepare recipe that can serve up to 24 people!

3. Chicharrones Colombian Fried Pork Belly

When thinking about the best Colombian appetizers, one cannot forget the pork-filled goodness of chicharron.

This deep-fried pork belly recipe is truly a delicious temptation.

With the complex flavors brought by the mix of bay leaves, black peppercorns, Szechuan peppercorns, and star anise, you surely will not want to miss out on this amazing appetizer!

4. Chicharrón De Pescado Con Ají De Mango

Of course, when thinking about chicharron, the usual approach is to fry the pork rind. 

However, you might want this seafood spin-off which is equally delicious as its pork counterpart!

You will never go wrong with this dish, which is also called fish fritters and mango sauce.

5. Baked Patacones With Mojo Sauce

If you are acquainted with Spanish dishes called tostones, then you are on the right track!

Patacones, which look like smashed plantains, are staples among the list of Colombian appetizers.

This baked twist on the Patacones, along with its complementing mojo herb sauce with a spicy taste, is just so delicious that it takes only 30 minutes to prepare!

6. Colombian Patacones, Chicken & Guacamole

Sometimes, we crave foods that are hot and cold, sweet and salty, and crunchy and smooth all at the same time.

Well, it turns out that you can get this flavorful dish in one of the best Colombian appetizers out there!

This heaven-sent mix of plantains, chicken, and guacamole are just right for your cravings!

7. Colombian Arepas

If you’ve been longing for some white corn tortillas from Colombia, this dish will cure your cravings!

Although usually served as side dishes to your main course, Colombian arepas are still a viable choice among appetizers that you can easily prep in just 20 minutes.

Just get your water, salt, and masarepa ready, and with a bit of kneading, cutting, and cooking, you’ll have your arepas ready in no time!

8. Aborrajados

If you happen to have some spare bananas or plantains in your kitchen, why not try your hand at one of the easiest Colombian appetizers to prepare?

The combination of plantains and cheese is just a deluxe taste to behold that you only need 12 minutes to prepare this dish!

Served alongside a cup of coffee or chocolate, or even oatmeal, this delicious recipe is simply the best.

9. Gluten-Free Colombian Bunuelos

If you want to cook something nice for the Christmas holidays, or you are just simply longing for some winter-themed treats, then Bunuelos are the right food for you!

With its crispy exterior and soft, dense crumb, it’s no wonder that these so-called Colombian donuts make up one of the most addictive Colombian appetizers that you can prepare.

Glaze this dish with some piloncillo syrup and you will be sure that you will never want to miss out on this Colombian delight.

10. Panamanian Carimanolas

Who would have thought that a combination of beef and yuca or cassava would make up one of the best Colombian appetizers?!

Carimanolas make up one of the tastiest fritters in the world. 

If you want to prepare some appetizers for your family members, then this is surely a recipe you would always want to remember!

11. Plátanos Asados Con Coco

Sometimes, the best Colombian appetizers require little to no time to prepare.

With just plantains, coconut, coconut milk, butter, and honey, your taste buds will be entertained with this relishing dish!

12. Plátanos Asados Con Bocadillo Y Queso

When you find yourself busily prepping for an upcoming picnic session or barbecue party, you might consider adding this Colombian delight!

What’s shocking is this appetizer needs only three major components – ripe plantains, mozzarella cheese, and guava paste!

With just little preparation time needed, this sweet and salty grill-cooked plantain is a recipe worth trying.

13. Pan De Queso (Colombian Cheese Rolls)

If you’ve been wanting to dive into baking, this no-boil dish is a nut-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian cooking style you can try. 

Just ready your food processor and baking sheet and you will be rewarded with puffy, pillowy, and cheesy appetizers shaped like round cheese rolls.

14. Pan De Bono

Looking for an appetizer to start your day? 

Wherever you are in the world, you will surely be pleased with any cheese bread!

Simply ready your cassava flour, masa, queso fresco, cotija cheese, egg, and milk, and you are bound towards a delectable treat!

15. Almojábanas

If you are familiar with pan de bonos and pan de quesos, then it might be a perfect time to try Almojábanas!

Not only are you treated visually with its beautiful golden brown color,  but this Colombian appetizer will also fill your taste buds thanks to its light, fluffy, and spongy texture.

16. Papas Rellenas (Colombian Stuffed Potatoes)

One of Colombia’s popular breakfast foods or snacks is this recipe that involves stuffed potatoes.

If this recipe is explained mathematically, it’s fairly simple to remember: potatoes plus beef plus aji Picante equal perfection.

This dish, which calls for some careful deep frying, is just a treat to the eyes and the taste buds.

17. Perros Calientes Colombianos

Want to add some twist to your hotdogs?

You should consider this overloaded hot dog dish taking its inspiration from similar Colombian cuisines.

This boiled hot dog dish topped with coleslaw, pineapple sauce, and salsa rosado will make your tongue dance to the tune of different flavors.

18. Colombian Style Shrimp Ceviche

If you want to experiment with flavors from fresh seafood, citrus fruits, and hot sauce, then look no further!

This Latin-American appetizer gives out a light, fresh, and taste sensation that will leave your taste buds longing for those bold flavors and savory heat.

This is one of the best Colombian appetizers that can serve 5 to 6 people.

19. Empanadas Vallunas

A variety of empanadas often involve a potato-beef mix.

But, if you want the cooking style that stands out the most, you should consider this recipe that involves creole potatoes and shredded beef.

Serve this recipe along with Colombian hot sauce or green hot sauce plus lime wedges and you’re off to a nice appetizer!

20. Arepa De Choclo

Sweet and savory arepas are better enjoyed if you make Arepas de Choclo.

Add some butter, melted cheese, sweetened condensed milk, or even honey and you are sure to have a delightful day!

21. Pasteles de Pollo (Chicken Turnovers)

If you crave for some empanadas, but with chicken as the main ingredient, then you can never go wrong with this recipe.

Simply put, a Pastel de Pollo is a chicken empanada with a round shape.

Add some hot sauce, green sauce, or guacamole to the mix and you are more likely to fill your stomach with Colombian cuisine goodness.

22. Hogao (Colombian Creole Sauce)

Sometimes, a simple tomato and onion salsa makes up for an amazing appetizer.

If you want to amplify the spice try adding some garlic, cumin, paprika, and parsley, and you’ve got yourself a dish ready in 10 minutes.

23. Fried Hormigas Culonas

If you’re up for something exotic, then this is your chance to try some ants! 🐜 🐜 🐜

This recipe involves large leaf-cutter ants which are then fried and seasoned with salt.

Now, that’s an ant-petizing meal!

To be fair, we can’t find these “big-bottomed ants” to cook with anywhere, so if you find some and make these crunchy snacks, let us know!

24. Chuzos De Carne

If you want to add a Colombian twist to your kebabs, then you might have just found one of the astounding Colombian appetizers!

With this recipe, you’ve got beef marinated in various Latin spices, garlic, beer, and wine.

Bonus tip: Marinate this overnight and you’ve got yourself a treat to remember!

25. Palitos De Queso

This is an appetizer that will take you back to your childhood days. 

There’s nothing better than making cheese sticks!

This traditional treat is best served while hot and can be consumed any time of the day.

26. Arepas De Maiz

If you want something authentic with just a few ingredients, Arepas de Maiz is your go-to appetizer.

With just masarepa, water, and salt, you can get this meal ready in just a short amount of time.

Serve with cheese or fried egg to make this dish more enjoyable.

27. Colombian Coconut Rice (Arroz Con Coco)

Looking for a Latin dish bursting with flavor? 

This flavorful dish will solve your problems.

This easy-to-prep dish is enhanced with coconut, making your weeknight dinners more enjoyable.

The bottom line

Colombia is one of the best countries to visit if you are preparing to travel the world and enjoy the different cuisines worldwide.

However, if your traveling aspirations are still a long way to go, you can prep your kitchen and give it a go towards these amazing Colombian appetizers.

Looking for more Colombian food options, we’ve compiled a list of Colombian meals and Colombian desserts that you should definitely check out, that will pair nicely with any of these Colombian appetizers.