Looking to try some popular snacks in Germany? Check out this post for 10 popular German snacks you cannot miss!
As someone who has been living in Germany for quite some time, I will say I have been exposed to quite a lot of snacks. This is mostly due to my host children but because of them I can say I’ve had a majority of the most popular snacks in Germany.
So, if you’re looking to try some German snacks beyond the stereotypical wiener, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone highlights some of the most popular snacks you need to try in Germany and the history behind some of them.
German Language & Culture Series
P.S. This is a post in my German Language & Culture series. Here is the complete series:
German Addresses: German Address Format: How to Mail a Letter to Germany
German Time: The Non-Native Speaker Guide to Telling Time in German
German Greetings: The 10 Most Common German Greetings and Introductions
German Numbers: The Ultimate Guide for Learning German Numbers 1 to 100
German Alphabet: The Best Alphabet Guide of All Time
German Days of the Week: A Beginner’s Guide to the Days of the Week in German
German Emails: The American Guide to Writing German Emails
German Body Parts: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Body Parts in German
German Vegetables: The Ultimate Guide to Vegetables in German
German Pronouns: The American Guide to Learning German Pronouns
German Colors: Colors in German: A One Stop Resource
German Fruits: Fruits in German: What You Need to Know
German TV: 10 German TV Shows You Need to Watch
German Curses: German Swear Words: What You Need to Know
German Idioms: 10 German Idioms Every American Should Know
Haribo Gummy Bears (popular snacks in germany)
Started in Bonn, Germany, the Haribo Gummy Bears are a popular snack you need to try in Germany. These gummy bears were named after their founder, Hans Riegel Bonn, by using the first syllable in his first, middle, and last name. The company itself has been around since the 1920s and since then it has expanded to many areas worldwide. In fact, the first time I tried a Haribo Gummy Bear was actually in Italy when I was studying abroad in Rome. They were selling these gummy bears as a snack in the University’s vending machines and I became obsessed with them! So obsessed that I even went to visit one of their stores here in Germany.
@travelandblossom What’s it’s like to go to the Haribo Store in Germany for the first time 🥰 #haribo #aupair #aupairlife #fürdich #fyp #traveltiktok ♬ golden hour – piano version – main character melodies
And I will say, I was quite impressed by the visit! They had everything from the original Haribo Goldbears all the way to some vegetarian and vegan ones.
So, if you’re looking for a new snack to try in Germany, I highly recommend trying the Haribo Gummy Bears. The outlet stores are a great place to start since they have several locations all over Germany.
Brezeln (popular snacks in germany)
Pretzels or in other words Bretzeln (translates to “pretzels” in English) in Germany are also known for being one of the most popular snacks you can try. As stated in the video, the pretzels are everywhere in Germany, in every variation, and even more so in southern Germany where my current host family lives. My host kids specifically love to get the Swabian pretzels every time we stop at the bakery. In fact, it wasn’t until I saw this video that I realized why.
As stated in the video, the Swabian pretzels are unique in Germany, since unlike other pretzels, they have very thin arms that later turn crispy as they’re baked while the belly is fluffy and soft. Swabian pretzels also have a cut in their belly, making it white on the very inside, since they don’t have lye.
So, if you’re looking to try a German snack that’s iconic in Germany then you have to try the pretzels. The Swabian Brezeln specifically are the only ones I’ve had in Germany from time to time and I will say they are very good.
Milka Chocolate (popular snacks in germany)
Milka Chocolate is another popular snack you need to try in Germany! Originally from Swizterland, Milka Chocolate is a Swiss brand of chocolate that is currently being produced in Lörrach, Germany. The brand’s name itself is also simply just a blend of the chocolate’s main ingredients: “Milch” (translated as “milk” in English) and “Kakao” (translated as “cocoa” in English). As stated in the video, these ingredients come into play in the very beginning since only three ingredients are needed to make the chocolate: cocoa beans, sugar, and milk. However, Milka Chocolate stands out from most chocolates since powdered milk is used to make the chocolate instead of liquid milk.
So, if you’re planning to try Milka Chocolate for the first time in Germany, I highly recommend it. One of my friends at the time bought this chocolate for me for my birthday and I will say it was very good!
Funny Frisch Chipsfrisch Chips (popular snacks in germany)
The Funny Frisch Chipsfrisch Chips are another popular snack you need to try while you’re in Germany! Similar to the typical Lays potato chips, these German ones just have some flavor to them. The children I took care of in Tuebingen specifically really loved them since they had a multitude of them in their kitchen pantry. In fact, that was basically all they ate after they came back from school. So, like Lays, I’m pretty sure they’re addictive after the first bite.
Therefore, if you’re looking to try some potato chips that are native to Germany, I highly recommend these ones. When I first tried them they tasted like a Lays substitute so I’m all for them!
TUC Crackers (popular snacks in germany)
TUC Crackers are another popular snack you need to try while you’re in Germany! Originally from Belgium, these crackers are comparable to the Ritz crackers you would have in the U.S. and they taste just as good. I actually had to pack these crackers as a snack for one of my host kids in Tuebingen for lunch and he would devour them all by the end of the day. The only thing I will say about these crackers that I don’t like is the fact that they break so easily. This is because usually when they break the crumbs get everywhere and it can honestly make any lunchbox look really messy.
But if you’re personally curious of what a TUC Cracker would taste like, I highly recommend giving them a try. You can buy them at any German supermarket nearby you in the aisle where they keep all the snacks.
Lorenz Saltletts Sticks (popular snacks in germany)
Lorenz Saltletts Sticks are another popular snack you need to try if you’re in Germany! Similar to the taste of a store-bought pretzel, these crispy, golden-brown alkaline sticks are a staple snack in any German supermarket you can think of. In fact, I had to pack this for both of my host kids from Tuebingen for lunch everyday. They were both quite a fan of them and they also ate them religiously.
So, if you’re thinking about trying Lorenz Saltletts Sticks in Germany, I highly recommend it. They don’t taste too different from a regular store-bought pretzel so it’s less of a culture shock.
Sweet Popcorn (popular snacks in germany)
Sweet popcorn is another popular German snack you need to try once you’re in Germany. Now, obviously you can get sweet popcorn anywhere in the world, but when it comes to Germany “sweet popcorn” is their default in comparison to “salty popcorn” in the States. The reason this is important to state is because normally whenever I go to buy popcorn at a German supermarket, they tend to only have the sweet-flavored ones. Which, as a result, can be quite disappointing if you’re a salty popcorn girl like me.
So, if you’re curious to try the sweet sensation in German popcorn, I highly recommend buying it in the supermarket or making it yourself. The video above lays out step-by-step how to make the popcorn from scratch so you shouldn’t have any issues.
Zwiebelkuchen (popular snacks in germany)
Zwiebelkuchen is another popular snack you need to try when you’re in Germany! Zwiebelkuchen for those of you who don’t know translates to “onion cake” in English. But don’t do what I did and assume it’s actual cake! Zwiebelkuchen is actually no different than an onion quiche in the States. The only reason it’s called a kuchen in the first place is because that German word also means “pie” which is actually a better translation.
In terms of taste, I actually tried the German Zwiebelkuchen when I was an Au pair in Tuebingen. It was better than I expected since it had onions in it and the cheese inside complements it well. So, no I did not barf after trying it for the first time, and I don’t think you will either.
Quarkbällchen (popular snacks in germany)
Quarkbällchen is another popular German snack you need try while you’re in the country! Quarkbällchen are small pastries in Germany that are made with a lot of curds mixed into a dough. The dough pieces are then baked in hot fat for 4-6 minutes and sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon. I for one, have never tried this snack before, however, one of my host kids in Stuttgart did. He ordered it from the local bakery we usually go to to get pretzels from and from what I’ve witnessed, he really likes it.
So, if you’re interested in trying a German snack as a sweet tooth, I highly recommend trying the Quarkbällchen at your nearest German bakery. They’re usually about 1 euro if you get them there so you don’t really have an excuse!
Prinzen Rolle (popular snacks in germany)
The Prinzen Rolle is another German snack you need to try if you’re in Germany! Produced in Germany, the Prinzen Rolle is a double biscuit that’s filled with cocoa cream. I for one had the chance to try these while I was in Tuebingen and I will say they’re not as bad as I thought. My ex-host mother gave them to me as a welcome gift in a big gift basket so I figured trying them couldn’t hurt.
Therefore, if you’re looking to try a chocolate biscuit in Germany, I highly recommend the Prinzen Rolle. They’re made with certified cocoa so you can bet the chocolate will be worth it.
Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the 10 most popular snacks in Germany you need to try! Please let me know in the comments down below which popular snack in Germany intrigued you the most. I would love to hear from you! 🙂
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