Heavenly Hungarian Snacks You Need in Your Life

An incredibly moreish Hungarian sweet, this sweet curd filled chocolate treat is one of the country’s most popular supermarket snacks and for good reason, as it’s totally addictive. There are a number of flavors to enjoy, from strawberry to peach as well as the classic plain and you can chose from either a dark or milk chocolate coating. Whichever you choose, once you taste a Túró Rudi there’s no turning back!

A sweet, sugar coated dough roasted on a spit over charcoal, Kürtőskalács is a popular Hungarian snack which can easily be found at festivals and street stalls across the country (it is especially popular at Budapest’s Christmas markets). During roasting, the sugar coating caramelises, providing the perfect canvas for extra toppings such as cinnamon or walnuts. Also called “chimney cakes”, today they can be found filled with ice cream, but it’s more traditional to eat them empty and piping hot.

Introduced in 1885, this five layer pastry is made up of alternating sections of sponge cake and chocolate buttercream, topped off with caramel. Named after Hungarian confectioner József C. Dobos, who invented the cake, today it can be found in traditional cafes and bakeries across Hungary.

One of Hungary’s most popular snacks, this deep fried dough comes with a range of toppings, and is definitely not for the health conscious! Most commonly topped with garlic, sour cream and grated cheese, it can be found almost everywhere and is popular as a quick, delicious and inexpensive snack (as well as being a great meal option for those on a budget).

A popular breakfast pastry, but equally delicious when enjoyed with a cup of coffee at any time of day, “kakaós csiga” literally translates to “chocolate snail”. Don’t worry; you won’t have to eat a snail, the name simply refers to the circular shape and swirled pattern of this chocolatey delicacy. Layers of flaky pastry are alternated with swirls of cocoa, making for a truly indulgent and incredibly moreish breakfast option.

This traditional and comforting Hungarian snack can be found in almost every bakery in Hungary. A small biscuit-scone hybrid which comes in a variety of flavors and toppings – from cheese and potato to bacon and goose crackling – pogácsa can be found at almost every occasion. Served at bars, offered at graduation, on the table at weddings – you name it, pogácsa will be there!

A Hungarian-Jewish delicacy, flódni is usually made up of nine layers: five of cake, and four of different fillings (apple, walnut, poppy seed and plum jam). Traditionally eaten at Hannukah, today it can be found throughout the year. The balance between sweet and sour, as well as the distinctive combination of flavors, make this one Hungarian snack not to be missed.

A good slice of home baked bread, topped with lard and sweet paprika (and often served alongside slices of red onion), this is a truly substantial Hungarian snack which tastes much better than it sounds! A simple dish, the key is in the good quality, fresh ingredients. Also known as “fatty bread”, it’s a stodgy snack which will fill the emptiest of bellies.

Strudel is often associated with German and Austrian cuisine, however Hungary also has its own unique version. Rétes in Hungary tend to be lighter than their German counterparts, with multi layered pastry and plenty of filling. The pastry can have a variety of different fillings, most popular are fruit, poppy seed paste or curd cheese, however savory fillings can also be used.

Made with a yeast dough, kifli is a crescent shaped baked snack made from a yeast dough and often eaten freshly buttered for breakfast, topped with jam or honey, or dunked in coffee. Slight comparisons can be made with the French croissant but kifli is more like bread. Its name refers to the crescent shape and as such, a number of other snacks have similar names. Kifli cookies, for example, are popular around the holiday season and can often be found filled with something delicious.