This is a delicious walk down memory lane filled with uniquely South African bites that are perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or just a nostalgic snack break. From savoury street-style favourites to sweet treats you grew up with, this list brings a...
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4
Sweet
Savoury
Traditional/ homemade snacks
Pantry Must-Haves
Sweet
From tea-time favourites to tuckshop treasures, these sweets are all about indulgence and a little bit of sugar-rush nostalgia.
So addictive!! Tastes like more every time
Chuckles
Icing-covered animal biscuits that remind me of childhood birthday parties and church bazaars.
Bakers Zoo Vanilla Flavoured Iced Biscuits 150 g
Coconut and chocolate biscuits that go perfectly with tea or coffee.
Taffy-like chews in wild flavours—grape, apple, cream soda—stretchy and fun to eat.
Fizzer Archives
Classic bubblegum with random trivia on every wrapper. Cheap, cheerful, and still iconic.
Chappies 100s
Crispy mint crackle covered in chocolate. Also a key ingredient in Peppermint Crisp Tart (a dessert icon)
Nestlé Peppermint Crisp 150 g
Packed with peanuts, wafer, and caramel. The tagline says it best: “Much, much more!”
Lunch Bar - Cadbury
Dunk-worthy and comforting. Pair with tea or coffee and your favourite blanket.
Ouma Rusks
Benable note: Sugar-coated, fruity gummies. Also used in kids’ birthday cakes and school party packs.
Jelly tots l Beacon
Savoury
Salty, spicy, crunchy, and packed with flavour—these are the go-to munchies for when you’re craving something savoury and satisfying. From school tuckshops to braai tables, these are the South African classics.
The cheese and now flavour are my all times faves. Opening a pack of this takes me back to primary school days when break times meant running around on the field and playing hide and seeks among the trees
NikNaks (@niknakssa) • Instagram photos and videos
High-protein snack, perfect for road trips or gym bags. Air-dried, seasoned meat—available in beef, ostrich, or game.
omg-biltong: SA's Most Addictive Biltong at SA's Best Prices
A dried sausage version of biltong with a slightly softer chew. Add to a snack platter for local flair.
The flavours scream nostalgia. The Chutney and Tomato flavour is a national treasure!
Simba
A spicy triangle of joy. Buy them frozen for a quick snack or fresh at any corner shop.
South African Samoosa Recipe
The ultimate street food. Deep-fried dough stuffed with savoury mince—pure indulgence.
South African Vetkoek with Curried Mince
Slightly spicy, maize-based crisps with a smoky flavour. Perfect for spicy chip lovers.
Ghost Pops The Original Flavoured Maize Snack 100g - Checkers
Traditional/ homemade snacks
These snacks are tied to heritage and culture—shared at family gatherings, traditional events, or just whipped up by your gogo on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Syrup-drenched, braided doughnuts. Sticky, sweet, and best served ice cold.
South African Koeksisters Recipe
LStreet snack made with pineapple slices dusted in masala. Spicy, sweet, sour, and unforgettable.
Grilled Masala Pineapple - Food Lover's Market
Creamy, cinnamon-dusted custard tart. Serve chilled for best flavour.
South African Melktert (Milk Tart) Recipe
Naturally sour, sun-dried figs. Sometimes eaten with salt for an extra zing.
The sweet and the sour
Sundays just aren’t complete without a few of these sticky, coconut donuts and a cup of coffee or tea
Cape Malay Koesisters
Pantry Must-Haves
Quick to grab, easy to pack, and always a hit—these are staple snacks every South African kitchen should have.
A blank canvas for toppings, from cheddar to chilli atchar.
Bakers Salticrax Crackers 200g | PnP
Simple, sweet, and versatile. Crumble into desserts or enjoy with tea.
Checkers Sixty60 | Bakers Blue Label Marie Biscuits 200g
Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread. Lives up to the name.
Bakers Eet-Sum-Mor Biscuits 200g | PnP
Crunchy, sweet, and protein-packed. A nice combo of sweet tooth + energy boost.
Peanut Clusters Recipe
The greenest drink ever. Tastes like nostalgia and fluorescent joy. Great with chips or a vetkoek.
