Hawaiian Snacks – Delectable And Vibrant Tropical Flavors

Imagine yourself transported to the sunny, sandy shores of Hawaii, where the air is filled with the scent of tropical fruit and the sound of ukulele music. As you take in the vibrant culture of the islands, you can’t help but feel drawn to the colorful, tasty Hawaiian snacks.

Whether you’re a fan of sweet or savory snacks, there’s something for everyone on this diverse and delicious snack platter. From the refreshing burst of flavor in bacon-wrapped pineapple to the smoky, tangy goodness of BBQ chicken cups, these bite-sized treats are guaranteed to transport you to paradise with every bite. So why wait? Gather your friends and family, and put out a tray of your favorite Hawaiian snacks.

Names of Hawaiian Snacks

1. Shoyu Ahi Poke
2. Grilled Fruit Kabobs
3. Hawaiian Pizza Sliders
4. Hawaiian Burger Bites
5. Chicken Pupus
6. Laulaus
7. Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites
8. Hawaiian Salsa
9. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Cups
10. Spam Musubi
11. Hawaiian Cheese Balls

11 Best Hawaiian Snacks of All Time

1. Shoyu Ahi Poke

A popular fish dish in Hawaii is called poke. However, it is not only considered a beloved Hawaiian snack but is also known worldwide. It’s their interpretation of Japanese sashimi, and if you can get fresh tuna, making this snack is very simple.

When making tuna poke, only tuna that is suitable for sushi is used. The spicy variation incorporates a creamy Sriracha and mayonnaise sauce. The development of poke has been pretty simple. 

Adjustments reflect the preferences of recent immigrants. Sailors swapped salt for fish when West Coast ships anchored in nearby ports. Soy sauce and sesame oil were brought by Chinese and Japanese immigrants. There are now many different types of poke, just as each community has contributed its own cuisine to Hawaii’s culinary mash-up. 

Today, ahi limu (seaweed), shoy ashi, and spicy ahi poke aren’t the only options available at poke counters. You can also get kimchi shrimp, furikake salmon, miso tako (octopus), pipikaula (dried beef), and even bacalao poke, which is prepared using Portuguese dried salt cod.

2. Grilled Fruit Kabobs

A fruit skewer’s diversity of hues and forms is attractive to the eye, and the warm, intricate, and caramelized aromas that grilling brings forth will tempt the palate. Place bowls of fresh fruit and skewers close to the grill so that visitors may create their own kabobs.

For optimal results, 3 to 6 different varieties of fruit are used. Typically, grilled fruit kabobs include watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, peaches, bananas, kiwis, papayas, mangoes, and plums.

3. Hawaiian Pizza Sliders

Nothing appeals to crowds more than a delectable Hawaiian platter of sliders. They are adored by everyone. They are typically served at backyard barbecues. They are a tiny version of the traditional Hawaiian pizza and are made with flavorful ham and luscious fresh pineapple pieces. Despite their small size, they are quite delectable. 

The first Hawaiian pizza was created in 1962 by a Canadian of Greek heritage, Sam Panopoulos, at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. Panopoulos tried several topping combinations, including pineapple, ham, bacon, and others. He was inspired in part by his expertise in cooking Chinese meals, which frequently combine sweet and salty flavors. 

Later, the addition of pineapple to the typical combination of tomato sauce, cheese, and either ham or bacon gained popularity locally. Finally, it turned into a standard menu item in pizzerias across the world.

4. Hawaiian Burger Bites

Hawaiian Burger Bites are wonderful Hawaiian snacks that are party-ready and exciting. The soft, floury crescent dough is used to make the foundation, which is cooked till golden. After that, a sweet glaze is applied, and little meatballs are placed on top. These are guaranteed to go if you add a piece of fresh pineapple right before serving and secure it with a toothpick or short skewer.

5. Chicken Pupus

Pupus often spelled “pu pu,”  is a fusion meal with elements of Chinese-American and Hawaiian cooking. The chicken is dipped in a zesty marinade composed of soy sauce, honey, ginger, black rum, wasabi, and orange in the recipe. 

Your chicken thighs or breasts will absorb all those tangy and colorful flavors if you soak them in this tasty sauce for a few hours. Then all you’ll need to do is light the grill to prepare juicy, delectable Hawaiian snacks that will have everyone talking.

A pu pu platter is frequently served as a side dish with beers and alcoholic beverages. It is a tray of Chinese or Hawaiian snacks from the United States that includes a variety of tiny pork and seafood appetizers. The pu-pu plate was described as “a mix of Americanized Chinese food, Hawaiian heritage, and bar food” by The Thrillist. 

Donn Beach most likely made the pupu platter popular in dining establishments on the American mainland in 1934. Since then, places like Don’s and Trader Vic’s with Polynesian themes have made it a staple.

6. Laulaus

Traditional Hawaiian snacks, called luaus, feature a dish called laulau, which is often a combination of pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves and cooked. Due to their availability throughout the majority of the state, collard greens are used in this dish in place of taro leaves.

If you wish to add some vegetables to your dinner, there is also a delicious vegetarian option available. The key ingredient in this straightforward recipe that is sure to please is coconut milk.

In modern times, the meal is often cooked on the stove and includes taro leaves, salted butterfish, pig, beef, or chicken. Laulau is a common plate lunch item that is frequently accompanied by rice and macaroni salad. 

The ends of the luau leaf are folded and rewrapped in the traditional process. When ready, all of the laulau is put in an imu, a subterranean oven. The meal is topped with hot pebbles, wrapped with banana leaves, and buried once more. The laulau is prepared for eating a short time later.

7. Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites

Bacon nibbles are among the most popular and well-liked Hawaiian snacks. They are exactly what your next party needs, a mix of spicy, sweet, and salty. You’ll be amazed by how easy these are to make, but they really do just take a few minutes.

Simply wrap a piece of pineapple in a slice of bacon, coat it in brown sugar, then sprinkle on some spicy sauce. Enjoy the sticky, sweet apple of your dreams after baking it till it turns brown. Brown sugar should be dipped into and applied to each bacon-wrapped pineapple bite as needed. During baking, the brown sugar in this crust will caramelize to provide a crunchy, delicious crust.

8. Hawaiian Salsa

You’ll start daydreaming of sun-kissed days spent on the islands after just one mouthful of these vibrant Hawaiian snacks –  salsa. The wonderful dip has ripe fruit, fresh herbs, and sweet vegetables that taste like summer. Juicy pineapple, divinely sweet mangoes, tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, and aromatic cilantro make up this nutritious concoction.

Hawaiian Salsa should be eaten right out of the bowl. For a dish that looks as great as it tastes, stuff it inside a hollowed-out pineapple if you’re feeding a large group of people.

9. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Cups

Simple meals, such as these particular Hawaiian snacks, are ideal for game-day appetizers or after-school snacks. They are very quick to make and are very delicious. If you like discovering quick snack recipes that come together fast without losing flavor, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Cups are for you. 

A hefty serving of shredded chicken, cheese, pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, and ginger is placed in flaky wonton cups. It’s a tantalizing burst of flavors with acidic, sweet, and salty undertones. Serve hot with a garnish of finely chopped green onion.

10. Spam Musubi

Spam musubi is a delicious blend of Japanese and Hawaiian snacks that uses pantry essentials that you most likely already have at home. These odd Hawaiian snacks that resemble sushi are made up of a thick slice of sticky rice, fried spam, and a strip of nori seaweed. This exceptional appetizer will surprise and please your visitors since it is juicy, meaty, and very tasty.

The snack and lunch food known as “spam musubi” is a slice of grilled Spam sandwiched between or on top of a block of rice. It is then wrapped in nori in the style of a Japanese onigiri.

It is inexpensive and portable and can be found in mom-and-pop shops or convenience stores throughout Hawaii, Guam, and Hawaiian barbecue restaurants. In addition, in the mainland United States, spam musubi is frequently seen next to cash registers. 

With the appropriate ingredients, making musubi is simple and usually just requires spam, rice, a little salt, nori, and shoyu. Celebrity chefs like Alan Wong provide handmade spam musubi in Hawaii on catering platters for formal gatherings at his upscale restaurants. 

11. Hawaiian Cheese Balls

Cheese balls are a Hawaiian appetizer that dates back to the 1970s. If you could attend a dinner party back then, a cheese ball would almost certainly be on the menu. It’s time to reintroduce this delectable classic. This special dish incorporates crushed pineapple, green onions, and bell pepper to give the cheesy appetizer a Hawaiian flair.

The combination of green pepper and pineapple might sound odd if you’ve never had it, but we can assure you that it is just perfect. The pecans offer the ideal texture and crunch, and it’s the ideal balance of salty and sweet. Use a combination of red and green bell peppers if you’re serving this during Christmas or Thanksgiving to make it more upscale and festive.

Bottom Line

Hawaiian cuisine reflects the varied history and culture of the islands. Many of these classic Hawaiian snacks exhibit the tastes of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, demonstrating the strong foreign influences at play. As you can see, pineapples are one of the major ingredients in Hawaiian snacks and cuisine. So, try these mouthwatering treats that we explored above, and you will undoubtedly fall in love with them!