Home Living in BogotaColombian Food 30 Nostalgic Mecato Colombiano (Colombian Snacks)

30 Nostalgic Mecato Colombiano (Colombian Snacks)

by bogotastic
5 comments
mecato colombian snacks

Mecato, is the Colombian term for all those finger-licking Colombian snacks and Colombian candy you’ll find on street carts.

Eaten at any time of the day, these Colombian snacks (mecato) bring back fond childhood memories for all Colombians.

In case you forgot the colorful selection of mecato Colombiano that exists, let me stir up the dust with a list of 30 popular Colombian snacks and Colombian candy that are sure to bring back sweet memories.

Colombian snacks (mecato) that will make you miss home

1. Frunas

Credit to IG @dannyd_roger_that

Credit to IG @dannyd_roger_that

Equivalent to the American Starburst. This mecato Colombiano is part of every Colombian’s diet.

2. Manimoto

Credit to IG @evgenko

Credit to IG @evgenko

This Colombian snack has an Asian equivalent. Both sweet and salty, it consists of peanuts with a crunchy batter on the outside.

3. Gansito

Credit to IG @jepri

Credit to IG @jepri

This mecato Colombiano is a Twinkie on steroids, with jelly that accompanies the creamy filling and covered in chocolate.

4. Chocoramo

IG @vanh_

IG @vanh_

Chocoramo is my all-time favorite mecato Colombiano. Yellow cake with chocolate-flavored covering. So simple, but sooo good.

5. Maizitos

Credit to IG @carlosvegaphotography

Credit to IG @carlosvegaphotography

A Colombian snack equivalent to American Fritos.

6. Rosquillas

Credit to latingourmetproducts.com

Credit to latingourmetproducts.com

The ultimate traditional mecato Colombiano. Crunchy and highly addictive cheese rings puffs.

7. Besitos

Credit to latingourmetproducts.com

Credit to latingourmetproducts.com

This Colombian snack probably has the same recipe as the one above. Crunchy cheese balls without the orange powder.

8. Nucita

Credit to IG @nelsonxavier85

Credit to IG @nelsonxavier85

Nucita is another mecato Colombiano that’s very similar to an Asian snack I know. White and Milk chocolate dips. Just missing the bread sticks to dip in.

9. Tostacos

Credit to IG @kuhvern

Credit to IG @kuhvern

This Colombian snack is like Doritos but more fun. Each chip is like a small crunchy corn pillow.

10. Todorico

Credit to IG @juann_ddavid

Credit to IG @juann_ddavid

This mecato Colombiano always stands out on the street carts due to it’s bright colors. A mix of plantains chips, potato chips and chicharron, this is as Colombian as they get.

11. Chocolatinas jet

IG @chocolatesjet

IG @chocolatesjet

Chocolatina Jet is the most popular chocolate bar in Colombia. This Colombian candy is equivalent to Hershey’s in the U.S.

12. Achiras

Credit to IG @fabian121188

Credit to IG @fabian121188

Achiras are a Colombian snack originating from the department of Huila. They are gluten-free crunchy cheese fingers. Yumm!

13. Gelatina de pata

Credit to IG @colombiangirl_1

Credit to IG @colombiangirl_1

I’ve never tried this Colombian Candy because I get weird about it. It literally translates to foot gelatin mixed with panela and cinnamon. Take a look at how it’s made here.

14. Quipitos

Credit to IG @aguzmur

Credit to IG @aguzmur

This Colombian candy is the equivalent of U.S Pop Rocks in powder form.

15. Bocadillo

IG @brian_prestige

IG @brian_prestige

Guava Sweets typically served with fresh cheese cubes. Although this Colombian candy or desert sounds weird, the combo of flavors between the cheese and the fruit goes quite well.

16. Popetas

Credit to IG @stefanialoho

Credit to IG @stefanialoho

I always find this Colombian snack being sold at the entrance of the Transmilenio in Bogota. As you can see, it’s packaged cheese, caramel or butter popcorn.

17. Cocosette

IG @wen_d_d

IG @wen_d_d

Ok, so this is actually Venezuelan, but it’s still a very popular candy in Colombian. It’s a long cookie wafer with levels of coconut goodness.

18. Barrilete

Barrilete

Starbursts in long stick form. There’s a similar version of this Colombian candy in France called Carambar.

19. Arequipe

IG @stekky

IG @stekky

Similar to Dulce de Leche, I still can’t tell the difference 4 years later. Arequipe should be the national sweet spread. Colombians like to eat it from the pot or spread it on fruit and obleas (wafer disks).

20. Tosti Arepa

Credit to IG @esteindividuo

Credit to IG @esteindividuo

Translating the arepa craze into a Colombian snack, we present you arepa corn chips. Thin and crispy and buttery!

21. Coffee delight

IG @nitopala_crossfitfree_

IG @nitopala_crossfitfree_

You might know a Colombian (or be that Colombian) that gifts this Colombian candy abroad. PLEASE STOP! I’ve never met anyone that’s really liked these coffee-flavored caramels. 1 is OK, but not the whole bag.

22. Almendras francesas

Credit to IG @danilovescooky

Credit to IG @danilovescooky

This Colombian candy originates from the French dragées, hard candy-covered almonds. In France, they are typically found in weddings and baptisms. However, the Colombian version has a thicker coat of sugar around them. Careful with your teeth when consuming this Colombian snack!

23. Turrón de SuperCoCo

Credit to IG @el_ardila

Credit to IG @el_ardila

Coconut Caramel. Definitely one of my favorite mecatos colombianos.

23. Cucas

Credit to IG @franciscocuervo

Credit to IG @franciscocuervo

I really like this Colombian cookie. It’s a plain biscuit, but instead of sugar, Colombians use panela or raw sugar cane, giving it that extra oomph.

24. Avena Alpina

Credit to tumercadocolombia.com

Credit to tumercadocolombia.com

Oat smoothies are a common Colombian snack. I personally like the cinnamon-flavored one from Alpina. This is another one of my favorite mecatos colombianos.

25. Alpinitos

IG @linatarapuez

IG @linatarapuez

Although I never have this, I love this mecato colombiano. It’s a thick yogurt custard. Similar to the French ‘Petit Suisse’. This takes you right back to childhood.

26. Alpinete

Credit to IG @andi_suarezrivera

Credit to IG @andi_suarezrivera

Yogurt with marmalade. Who can resist this Colombian snack?

27. BonBonBum

Credit to IG @valentinaochoar

Credit to IG @valentinaochoar

Like Coffee Delight, BonBonBums are also a popular Colombian candy to take abroad. Although the flavors aren’t particularly exotic, I’m pretty sure these suckers bring back happy memories of la tierra querida.

28. Sparkies

Credit to IG @ladyrojas0103

Credit to IG @ladyrojas0103

Colombian Skittles.

29. Dulce de Panela

Credit to IG_theredbite

Credit to IG_theredbite

Copelia is coconut with sugar. I absolutely love coconut but for some reason, I personally don’t like any cocadas.

30. Herpos

Credit to http://xn--bocadilloveleo-2nb.com/

Credit to http://xn--bocadilloveleo-2nb.com/

This mecato Colombiano is not what it sounds like. It’s just a wafer cookie with arequipe and bocadillo!


There’s probably a ton more Colombian snacks I don’t know about out. Which Colombian snacks or candy did you grow up with? Leave me a message in the comment box below!


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5 comments

don September 12, 2021 - 2:10 pm

ive been to medellín and out of them 30 items ive only seen like 4 of them 😂

Reply
bogotastic September 13, 2021 - 11:25 am

You can see them all in the puesticos in the street 😊

Reply
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[…] you want to find out more, check out these must-try Colombian desserts, these popular Colombian mecato snacks or these other classic Colombian […]

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[…] duty-free airport shops for a fraction of the price. If you want to get crazy, try one of the many Colombian mecato snacks. But if you prefer to stay on the safe side, you can pick […]

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Anne Burton November 11, 2015 - 2:33 pm

hahaha, quipitos, I know the guy who created quipitos and when the product was launched back in the 80s he asked me if my little daughter could be in the advertisement, and she was. What about barquillos?

Reply

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