13 Best Polish Snacks & Finger Foods

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Snack time should always be an adventure, so why not shake things up a bit and try some Polish snacks?

These authentic recipes introduce unique and comforting flavors that I’m sure you won’t be able to resist.

From savory to sweet, here are some delicious Polish snacks that you definitely need to try!

13 Best Polish Snacks

Have you ever heard of pierogy nachos? What about air fryer kielbasa? If you like a traditional dish with a twist, #4 and #8 are your must-try ideas!

Kolaczki, a delectable Polish pastry, have delightful combinations of flaky, buttery pastry with cream cheese in the crust and sweet fillings like fruit preserves, poppy seed paste, or sweet cheese.

In a usual recipe, the dough is rolled thin, folded, and baked until it turns a delicious golden color.

If you like cookies, you can also check out these Ukrainian cookie ideas for more variety!

Polish pickles, or “kiszone ogórki” as they are called, are an essential part of Polish food culture.

Cucumbers, dill, garlic, and a variety of spices are fermented in a brine solution to make these pickles. A slightly sour, crisp, and tasty pickle is the end product.

I love snacking on dill pickles especially if they’re super crunchy and slightly spicy. You can try various recipes to find the one!

Chewy rolls, or bialys, are a kind of traditional Polish bread that has a distinctive spin on the classic bagel.

For a delicious and fragrant filling, a combination of diced onions and occasionally poppy seeds is used to fill the central depression.

These bread rolls are commonly consumed for breakfast or as a snack.

I really liked bialy as a breakfast option, and you can check out other Polish breakfast recipes for more ideas!

A contemporary take on the traditional Polish sausage, Air Fryer Kielbasa is a time-saving and hassle-free meal option.

The kielbasa, once sliced, is cooked in an air fryer until it gets a crispy exterior and a juicy, tasty within.

Many people prefer to cook this traditional Polish sausage in an air fryer because it’s a healthier alternative to traditional frying and produces equally good results with less effort.

I really enjoy serving this crispy treat as a snack, appetizer, or even a main course!

The classic Polish dumpling gets a modern update with sweet potato pierogi, which have sweet potatoes and cheese as a filling.

In this recipe, sweet potato dumplings are pan fried as potstickers creating an addictive snack you can serve with any sauce or dip of your choice.

Whether you prefer your dumplings boiled or pan-fried, air fryer frozen pierogies are an easy and speedy alternative. Frozen pierogies can be quickly and easily cooked in an air fryer to get crunchy.

This is another delicious and easy way to enjoy a snack or appetizer with a Polish flavor.

Polish traditional donuts, known as pączki, are deep-fried treats that are a mainstay of Polish celebrations, particularly Fat Thursday. They’re often filled with jam, custard, or some other sweet filling.

Whether they’re glazed or sprinkled with powdered sugar, these Polish donuts are the perfect sweet treat or snack.

Pierogy Nachos are a tasty and entertaining take on the traditional Polish dumpling. 

In this fun recipe, pierogies are topped with kielbasa, sauerkraut, and a homemade beer cheese sauce.

I think it’s a unique way to get to know Polish cuisine and can’t wait to try this recipe!

A popular Polish comfort dish is potato pancakes, or “Placki Ziemniaczane” as they are called in Polish.

Grated potatoes are mixed with eggs, flour, and spices before being pan-fried to a golden brown.

They’re usually accompanied by sour cream or applesauce, creating a popular snack, side dish, or even the main course.

Delightful little variations on the traditional Polish babka, these lemon mini babkas, sometimes called “Babeczki,” sound very delicious to me!

A swath of powdered sugar tops off these little sweet cakes filled with zesty lemon flavor.

I think this recipe is a quick and easy way to get a taste of Polish sweets.

A beloved Polish street snack, zapiekanka is basically a sandwich with a delightful twist.

Various toppings, such as sautéed mushrooms, cheese, ham, or veggies, are placed atop a baguette or half-baguette. After that, it’s time to bake or broil the entire thing until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Open-faced sandwiches, called “kanapky” are generally very popular in Poland and they can be topped with virtually anything.

So next time you need a quick snack, just grab a piece of bread, ham and cheese and you have a kanapka.

Kabanos

One of Poland’s most beloved dry sausages, Kabanos is easily recognizable by its long, thin shape and smokey flavor.

Kabanos is a spicy pork snack that can stand on its own or be paired with cheese and crackers.

This kind of sausage is air-dried after being seasoned with different spices.

Sękacz

You can usually get sękacz, a classic Polish cake, at fairs and other events.

Another name for this cake is “tree cake,” and its secret ingredient is the way it’s made. Cooking the cake batter in layers on a revolving spit makes a spiral design that looks like a tree’s growth rings.

The end product is a round cake that is both crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside.

Spit cakes are popular throughout Europe, and you can find a similar preparation method for Trdelník among traditional snacks in Czechia or Kürtőskalács, one of the popular Romanian cake options.

I hope you enjoyed these amazing recipes for Polish snacks! Share your favorite ones in the comments!

Need more snacking inspiration? Check out my favorite Ukrainian snacks for a taste of Eastern European cuisine.