The Flavors of Israel: Israeli Snacks You Must Try

If you’re a foodie and are into trying exotic, delicious flavors, there’s no better place to visit than Israel. Full of rich culture, generous people, scenic views, and appetizing food, Israel ticks all the boxes.

Israeli snacks are known for their versatility, rich taste, and nutritious ingredients. You can find various food spots ranging from food street spots to luxurious eateries that offer local as well as international picks. There’s something for every budget, taste bud, diet, and preference.

Moreover, Israel has a lot to offer to vegan-friendly individuals. Being a culturally and traditionally rich country, Israeli food is dominated by healthy ingredients and minimally processed food items. Their fresh snacks are packed with vitamins, fibers, and minerals.

In fact, some of the best chefs in the World are Israelis. We know how to couple quality ingredients with unique cooking techniques that deliver an extraordinary taste. From hummus and shawarma to falafel and pita, you’re bound to fall in love with Israeli snacks.

What’s more interesting about Israel is that although its cuisine combines flavors from Russia, Hungary, Poland, Morocco, Tunis, and more, it doesn’t lose that distinctive touch.

In this post, we rounded up some popular Israeli snacks that you shouldn’t miss out on! So let’s get started.

Beigeleh or Ka’akh

Bread is an important part of Israeli cuisine. It’s eaten as a snack as well as a main course. Not to forget, bread is also a staple in breakfast meals. As an integral part of the Israeli diet, bread complements all kinds of meals.

And we’re not talking about your average white or bran bread. Israel has a lot more to offer when it comes to this staple food item. You can find bread for every taste palette. From pita and sourdough to crispy ciabatta, you’ll come back wanting more after trying Israeli breads!

Beigeleh bread has two names, one has its origin from the Hebrew language and the latter is taken from Arabic. Similar to loop-like bagels, Beigeleh also matches the shape of a pretzel. Locals love to pair this bread with rich hummus sauce or their favorite dip. You can easily find it anywhere in Israel, especially in the Old City Market located in Jerusalem.

Recommended reading: Delicious Israeli Dips Besides Hummus

Boureka

Known to be as old as the Ottoman Empire, Boureka is a delicious, stuffed, puffy, and light-weight bread snack made with rich ingredients like cheese. This bread is a popular breakfast option and can be bought from local bakeries.

So, if you’re planning to visit Israel, don’t forget to run a Google search to find the best home-based bakers in the country!

Challah

Challah is known for its density and richness. This one isn’t as light as the Boureka and has a doughy consistency. It is commonly a part of the Shabbat dinner. It’s not crispy or airy but very dense, similar to a cake donut in the US.

Moreover, Challah is a sweet bread and is widely used for preparing French toasts or bread puddings.

Khachapuri

Khachapuri is loved in Israel due to its aroma and pleasant taste. It’s a baked bread known to be brought from the Georgian Jews – “Gruzinim”. What’s interesting about Khachapuri is that once the bread is almost baked, an egg is placed on the top.

You can enjoy khachapuri with sandwich fillings, pizza toppings, or even hummus dip. In short, the options are endless with this one.

Halva

Enjoyed by those with a sweet tooth, halva is a famous Israeli snack made with tahini, sugar, caramel, and nuts. This sweet dish is enjoyed at various occasions and served to guests. You can easily find halva at popular Israeli markets such as HaCarmel and Mahane Yehuda.

Knafeh

Known for its pastry-like texture, Knafeh is a baked dish made with layers of phyllo pastry and cheese. These layers are baked and soaked in thick sweet syrup, almost like caramel. This sweet is loved with a topping of salty cheese, chopped nuts, and pistachios.

Do try it whenever you visit Jerusalem. Pair Knafeh with rich, strong coffee for the ultimate pick-me-up experience.

Pita

Who doesn’t love eating pita bread? While this variant has gained massive popularity across the globe, what many people don’t know is that it has Israeli origins. Available widely in Jerusalem, pita comes in different forms including white, bran, wholemeal, grainy, and more.

Enjoy it directly or warm it up, toss in your favorite filling, roll it up, and enjoy as a wrap or shawarma!

The Versatile Israeli Dip: Hummus

Enjoyed with all kinds of breads, vegetables, and sometimes on its own, hummus is an authentic Israeli snack. Loved and consumed by almost every Israeli, hummus is a rich, creamy dip made with blended chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon, and a generous amount of olive oil.

Hummus is commonly eaten for breakfast, but it also makes a great snack for movie or date nights. Make sure to try fresh hummus as it can go bad within a few hours and canned hummus isn’t the best alternative. The real taste of hummus can only be enjoyed when it’s freshly prepared and blended.

Krembo

Sweet treats are a common part of the Israeli snack section. You can find various seasonal and staple sweets year-round in the country. Krembo is one of the most popular ones. These are essentially snack pops with marshmallow-like texture dipped in chocolate.

Krembo can be enjoyed on its own or paired with hot chocolate.

Bourekas

Another favorite Israeli snack, Bourekas was originated in the Balkans and it swept across the Holy land. It’s made of doughy layers with cheese, potatoes, and spinach. But what’s impressive about this snack is its versatility and compatibility with other ingredients.

You can enjoy Bourekas with healthy toppings and sides or pair it up with pizza spices and pepperoni for a quick, delicious go-to snack. Many bakeries and eateries also serve Bourekas all day round.

Chocolate Milk in a Bag

Chocolate milk in a bag sounds like a snack for children, but all age groups love it. It’s an Israeli classic and also known as “Choco-Beh-Sakit” – שוקו בשקית. This one’s perfect for those who don’t like drinking milk. The dense chocolaty flavor will change your perception of milk and milk-based products. This is the perfect option for when you’re roaming on the streets and soaking in the local culture.

Israel’s national language, Hebrew, is also a big part of the country’s culture. If you’re planning to visit Israel, we can help you learn Hebrew online! Whether you’re in the US or Canada, learn Hebrew from native teachers and resources on our website.

The platform also offers beginner-friendly Hebrew language lessons online taught by licensed teachers who can help you polish your skills. Ulpan-Or’s services also include Hebrew learning for immersion, self-study material, and more.

To know about our Hebrew courses, contact us today!