Australia has a pretty unique cuisine. In fact, there are all sorts of popular foods and dishes from the Land Down Under that you have probably never even heard of.
Despite what many Americans might think, the menu over there is much more than just Vegemite and toast. Although, that is certainly an excellent breakfast choice — especially when you spread a little butter on it too. All of the Aussies out there know what we’re talking about.
From fairy bread to Cheezels, this list has all of the quintessential Australian foods that Americans and other nationalities need to try ASAP. Until you try them for yourself, you won’t what you’re missing!
1. Tim Tams
These delicious chocolate-covered biscuits will have your mouth watering. Each Tim Tam has two malted biscuits inside as well as a chocolate cream filling. They come in a variety of flavors, for example, chewy caramel. However, original is definitely the most popular.
2. Pavlova
It’s a simple dessert made with a meringue base. They cover it with various types of fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and of course, kiwi. Pavlova is a great choice for a summer party.
3. Lamingtons
A lamington is a type of sponge or butter cake. Each square is coated with a chocolate sauce and then covered in shredded coconut. Sometimes there is also a layer of cream in between the squares.
4. Twisties
These are basically the Australian version of Cheetos. They are little corn-based cheese curls, hence the name Twisties. Each one of them is light, crunchy, and all twisted up.
5. Fairy Bread
Imagine a slice of bread spread with butter and then covered in as many little nonpareils (sprinkles) as possible and you have fairy bread. Although, in Australia, they don’t call them nonpareils. They call them “hundreds and thousands”.
6. Spaghetti Jaffle
The jaffle is the hot metal sandwich iron that fuses the two pieces of bread together. Inside is your standard spaghetti from a can. It’s essentially a toasted spaghetti sandwich.
7. Milo
Milo is a chocolate malt powder. You start with a normal glass of milk and then stir in a small amount of Milo, or if you are like us, a large amount! The end result is perfection.
8. Burger Rings
Think Funyuns with a meatier burger flavor. Burger Rings are corn-based, similar to onion rings. Yet, the true secret is a flavoring that is a mix of barbecue, tomato, and cheese.
9. Iced VoVos
An Iced VoVo is marshmallow, jam, and coconut on a biscuit. The jam is raspberry flavored and makes a nice streak right through the middle of the tasty cookie. It’s been a staple in Australia since it was first created in 1906.
10. Violet Crumbles
Here we have a chocolate bar that is uniquely Australian. The only US state where it is really offered regularly is Hawaii. The center of the Violet Crumble is a honeycomb toffee and the outside is coated in chocolate.
11. Golden Gaytimes
This toffee and vanilla ice cream treat is dipped in chocolate as well as wrapped in honeycomb cookies. The name might be a legacy from the past, but Golden Gaytimes are still just as popular as ever. In New Zealand, they call them Cookie Crumbles.
12. Cheesymite Scrolls
They look like cinnamon rolls. However, they are actually filled with Vegemite and cheese. The taste of a cheesymite scroll is completely unique. You will have to go to an Australian bakery to try one.
13. Vanilla Slice
The pastry part of a vanilla slice is light and flaky. The inside layer is a delectable vanilla custard. They have the nickname “snot blocks” because of the gooey custard texture, but trust us, they are delicious.
14. Anzac Biscuits
These cookies, or biscuits as they call them in Australia, are made from oats, sugar, butter, flour, golden syrup, and occasionally, desiccated coconut. They originated in wartime during WWI. The name ANZAC stands for the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.
15. Chiko Rolls
A Chiko Roll is essentially an Australian egg roll. They are based on the recipes for Chinese spring rolls. The primary fillings inside include cabbage and barley. Although, there are other ingredients inside such as carrots, onions, and a small amount of beef too.
16. Clotted Cream And Scones
Clotted cream is a very thick type of cream made from milk. It’s the perfect topping for a scone. In Australia, the dish is also served with a side of jam. It’s their go-to snack to complement afternoon tea.
17. Meat Pies
This one is a steak and onion mince meat pie. It’s a very common thing to find at gas stations and bakeries all around Australia. They come with various types of fillings from lamb to beef, to chicken.
18. Cherry Ripes
A Cherry Ripe is a cherry and coconut-filled chocolate snack. It’s one of Australia’s oldest chocolate bars. The first ones were produced in 1926 and they have stuck around to this day.
19. Shapes
These savory biscuits are made by Arnott’s. The best part about them is the seasoning. It is applied very generously to the Shapes. They come in all sorts of flavors from barbecue to pizza.
20. Party Mix
It’s not just any party mix, it’s Allen’s Party Mix. Essentially, it’s just a mix of various flavored lollipop candies. No Australian party is complete without a bowl of this stuff.
21. Minties
Another common party item is Minties. Think mint-flavored saltwater taffy. They are so sticky that they often cause people’s dental fillings to fall out. However, that doesn’t stop the Australians from eating them anyway.
22. Beetroot In Burgers
Hamburgers in Australia often come with delicious purple beetroot on them. It adds a tangy flavor to the burgers. Mixed with the meat and cheese, it is an absolutely delicious combination.
23. Cheezels
Cheezels are so much better than your regular cheese puffs. The reason being is that they are shaped like circles. You can wear them on your fingers and have fun playing around while you consume them.
24. Fantales
A Fantale is a chocolate-coated caramel. They are best eaten when it is warm outside. If you try to eat a cold Fantale, you are likely to break one of your teeth because of how hard they get.
25. Arnott’s Mint Slices
On the inside you have a crunchy biscuit and a layer of mint cream. They are completely covered in dark chocolate. Mint Slices are comparable to Girl Scout’s Thin Mints in the USA, however, they are even better.
26. Paddle Pops
It’s just ice cream on a popsicle stick. However, that doesn’t make them any less special or popular. Paddle Pops are made by the brand Streets and come in flavors like chocolate, banana, or our favorite, rainbow.
27. Caramello Koalas
In the USA, there are chocolates shaped like bunny rabbits. In Australia, there are chocolates shaped like koalas. Inside each Caramello Koala is a gooey caramel fillng.
28. Chocolate Crackles
Chocolate crackles are really popular with kids. You can find them at any school function or birthday party. It’s a mix of melted fat, rice, chocolate, and coconut.
29. Passiona
If you like sweet drinks, you will love Passiona. It’s a very sugary passion fruit soda. It’s best enjoyed on a warm summer day at an outdoor barbecue or mixed with your favorite hard alcohol to make a sort of punch.
30. Chicken Salt
Chicken-flavored salt is so much more delicious than regular salt. It’s the perfect topping for french fries (chips) or really, everything. Officially, there is no actual chicken in it.
31. Bubble O’ Bill
There are three types of ice cream in a Bubble O’ Bill — chocolate, strawberry, and caramel. The best part is that when you are done eating it, there is also a tasty bubble gumball to chew on. It serves as Bill’s nose.
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