10 Latin American Street Foods Everyone Should Try

Woman holding a plate of street food

One of the many exciting things about Latin America is that the cuisine is delicious and versatile. Street food, in particular, offers an interesting adventure for your taste buds. Exploring it is a great way to connect with the culture of each country and get a sense of what locals enjoy. Here are 10 Latin American street foods you may not know about, but you’ll be dying to try:


Manzana Acaramelada – Argentina, Ecuador and Peru

image of traditional desert 'Caramel Apples' from Argentina, Ecuador, and Peru.

Photo by Edjoerv on Wikimedia Commons

Think of manzana acaramelada as Latin America's version of toffee apples. This treat is particularly popular during holiday seasons in Argentina, Ecuador, and Peru, and it’s perfect if you like simple and sweet snacks. In Ecuador and Peru, the caramelized apple recipe is quite simple and it involves a sugar syrup. In Argentina, they often take it up a notch by rolling the caramelized apple in popcorn, making for a nice combination of sweet and salty.

Sopapillas – Argentina, Chile, and Peru

image of traditional food 'Sopapillas' from Argentina, Chile, and Peru

Photo by Miia Hebert on Wikimedia Commons

Sopapillas, also known as sopaipillas, are a kind of fried pastry that can be either savory or sweet. They’re a quintessential street food and they offer a quick, satisfying snack on the go. They’re mostly popular in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Peru, and each country adds its own little spin to it. In Argentina, they’re made with flour and lard, deep-fried in lard, and covered in sugar. It’s the same in Uruguay and they prefer them salty, but they also cover them in sugar and also add quince cheese, which is a jelly made of quince fruit. In Chile, the dough is the same, but in the South, they add ground squash to it. Sopapillas in Chile can be sweet, sprinkled with sugar after they’re fried, or boiled in chancaca sauce (a syrup with cinnamon and orange peel). They can also be savory, enjoyed with mustard, ketchup, butter, avocado, or cheese. In Peru, the sopapillas are bigger and thinner, and the dough can differ from region to region.

Brigadeiros – Brazil

image of traditional desert 'Brigadeiros' from Brazil

Photo by Ricardo Mendonça Ferreira on Flickr

Brigadeiros are Brazil’s preferred chocolate bonbons, so this is another sweet treat. Brigadeiros are fudgy balls made with condensed milk and cocoa powder, rolled in chocolate sprinkles. This is a staple at birthday parties and they’re easy to find in street stalls, cafes, and even specialty shops. While chocolate flavor is the traditional option, there are plenty of other flavors to try, including white chocolate, coconut, lemon, almond, and more.

Ceviche – Ecuador and Peru

image of traditional food 'Ceviche' from Ecuador and PeruPhoto by Pirata Studio Film on Unsplash

If you want to get an authentic taste of Ecuador and Peru, ceviche is the way to go. It’s a staple in these countries and it consists of raw fish marinated in lemon or lime juice, so it’s refreshing and delicious. Peru is quite famous for its ceviche, which is usually made with lime juice and contains cilantro, habanero peppers for some spice, and red onion. In Ecuador, they do a tomato-based version, so the marinade is tomato juice, lime juice, and orange juice. Both versions are incredibly tasty and a must-try for seafood lovers.

Humitas – Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru

image of traditional food 'Humitas' from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru

Photo by Estefania Melo on Flickr

Humitas are delicious and they’re like a corn tamale of sorts. They’re made from fresh corn, which is pounded into a paste, wrapped in fresh corn husk, and boiled. They’re particularly popular in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, and each country makes humitas their own. In Argentina, they add sauteed onions, pumpkin, and spices to the corn paste. In Bolivia and Peru, they can either boil them or bake them, and they enjoy them sweet or savory. To make them sweet, they usually add raisins, sugar, and cinnamon. To make them savory, they go with fresh cheese. In Ecuador, they add onion, egg, and pork fat. In Chile, they keep it simple by adding onion, basil, and butter to the corn paste. =Humitas are hearty and they offer a bite of Andean culture!

Salchipapas – Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

image of traditional food 'Salchipapas' from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

Photo by Maria on Flickr

Salchipapas is quite a classic Latino street food and it’s particularly loved in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The dish consists of French fries topped with sliced sausages and sauces like mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard, which is usually how they like it in Peru. Salchipapas are greasy, savory, delicious, and inexpensive. In Colombia and Bolivia, they combine mayonnaise and ketchup to make “salsa rosada,” add shredded cheese, chopped onion, and fried egg. In Ecuador, they accompany it with chopped tomatoes and onions, mayonnaise, and ketchup.

Pão de Queijo – Brazil

image of traditional food 'P\u00e3o de Queijo' from Brazil

Photo by Melsj on Wikimedia Commons

Pão de queijo are small, chewy cheese breads made with cassava flour, which is made from tapioca, so they’re a gluten-free option. It’s a traditional dish in Brazil and they’re one of the most popular street foods there. These cheese buns are made with sweet and sour cassava flour, eggs, milk, oil, salt, water, and cheese, which can be Mozzarella, Parmesan, Canastra, or Minas. The most traditional cheese option is Minas, but they’re all delicious.

Papas Rellenas – Chile, Colombia and Peru

image of traditional food 'Papas Rellenas' from Chile, Colombia and Peru

Photo by Isabelle Hurbain-Palatin on Flickr

Papas rellenas, which literally translates to “stuffed potatoes,” are a kind of croquette made with mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs, and filled with ground beef, eggs, and onions. They’re a popular street food in South America, particularly in Chile, Colombia, and Peru, and they’re known for being flavorful and filling. They’re the ultimate Latino comfort food and each country has its own take. In Chile, the filling they prefer is chopped beef and white and green onions. In Colombia, they also prefer beef filling and they cook the ground beef with chopped tomato, chopped onion, and spices. In Peru, they add sliced hard boiled eggs, raisins, and black olives to the ground beef filling.

Pastel – Brazil

image of traditional food 'Pastel' from Brazil

Photo by keetr on Flickr

Here’s another delicious street food dish from Brazil! Pastels are pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, including cheese, meat, or shrimp. They’re made with thin pie crust and they’re fried, so they’re flaky and super crispy. Pastels are similar to empanadas in concept, but the doughs are very different. It’s believed that they were inspired by Japanese wontons and the filling options are truly endless. The most popular ones in Brazil include chicken and catupiry cheese, cheese, tomato, and oregano, cod, and dry beef. There are also sweet options, filled with guava and cheese or dulce de leche.

Patacones – Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru

image of traditional food 'Patacones' from Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru

Photo by とりどり on Wikimedia Commons

Last but not least, this one goes to all plantain lovers. Patacones, also known as tostones, are twice-fried plantain slices, and they’re very popular in South America and the Caribbean. They’re usually made with unripe green plantain (savory), but they can also be made with ripe plantain (sweet). Because patacones are fried twice, they’re very crispy and crunchy, and they’re a popular snack served with refried beans, ceviche, cheese, sour cream, or garlic sauce, depending on the country. They’re also a common side dish for fried fish and other dishes. While they’re usually small, patacones can also be made using the entire plantain, which is something they do in Venezuela and then they make a sort of sandwich with it, filled with shredded chicken or meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, ham, mayonnaise, and ketchup.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.