Known as karantika in Algiers and calienté in Morocco, this beloved traditional dish traces its origins back to Spanish influence during the colonial period, as its name is derived from the Spanish word calentita, which means "warm." Over time, what began as a humble, filling meal for the working class evolved into one of Algeria’s and Morocco's most cherished street foods, often enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

The essence of the dish lies in its simplicity and rich, comforting flavor. It is made from a smooth batter of chickpea flour, water, oil, salt, pepper, and eggs, which is then baked until it develops a golden, slightly crisp crust on top while remaining creamy and custard-like inside. 

Maakouda are traditional potato fritters that are popular throughout the Maghreb, especially in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The fritters are usually prepared plain, but they can also be stuffed with meat, tuna, or cheese, although not that often.

They're made with potatoes, parsley, garlic, flour, salt, and pepper. The potatoes are boiled, mashed, and mixed with other ingredients into small disks which are then deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown. Maakouda is traditionally served as an appetizer, a side dish, or an ingredient in a long sandwich roll that's usually sold as street food and served with harissa, coriander, and lemon juice. 

Sfenj are popular Moroccan and Algerian doughnut-like fritters made from sticky unleavened batter, similar to Libyan sfinz and Tunisian bambalouni. The dough is traditionally shaped into rings and deep-fried until it develops a golden, crispy exterior.

The interior should be fluffy, tender, and chewy. These fritters are usually served hot when sold by street vendors, and they can be consumed plain or dusted with icing sugar.

Fatayer is an Arabic specialty consisting of pockets of dough that are filled with a variety of ingredients: spinach, cheeses such as halloumi or feta, meat such as chicken, beef, or lamb, potatoes, or soft Arabic yogurt-based cheeses.

The dish can be baked or fried and is commonly consumed as a snack or a light lunch. It is still unknown who invented fatayer, as the Lebanese, Syrians, Egyptians, and Palestinians all claim the dish as their own. Today, these turnovers are popular throughout the Arab region, with numerous regional varieties and different fillings.

Bambalouni are traditional Tunisian doughnuts that are especially popular in the village of Sidi Bou Said. They are made with flour, hot water, yeast, and salt. After the dough has been prepared, it is fried in hot oil until golden brown, and the doughnuts are then sprinkled with sugar on top.

It is recommended to serve bambalouni with coffee, either for breakfast or as a snack eaten at the end of the day.

Hawawshi is a popular Egyptian snack consisting of a traditional baladi bread, in appearance similar to the famous pita pockets, stuffed with a flavorful mixture of minced meat, vegetables, and various spices. The generously seasoned meat mixture is placed inside the bread dough and baked until all the flavors combine, the meat is cooked, and the bread achieves a light golden color and a crispy texture.

Whether prepared at home or enjoyed in various Egyptian food establishments, hawawshi is usually served alongside fresh vegetables, salads, and various dips.

Fetir meshaltet is an Egyptian delicacy consisting of flaky layered pastry which can be plain or filled with various sweet or savory ingredients such as ground beef, cheese, halwa, chocolate, or raisins. The dish dates back to the time of the pharaohs, when it was often used in temples as an offering to Gods.

Nowadays, it is traditionally prepared and consumed for religious holidays, weddings, and similar social events, but the pastry is especially important as a symbol of hospitality. Plain fetir meshaltet is served with sweet and savory sides such as fruit jams, honey, cheese, and green olives, the savory filled version is served with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and a cup of tea, while the sweet-filled version is commonly served on its own or with fruit jams and cream. 

Tunisian brik is a popular dish that incorporates flaky dough filled with a variety of savory ingredients. Traditionally, malsouqa dough is used to create brik, but the more available phyllo pastry is commonly used as a replacement. Brik is usually made with layers of laminated pastry, to achieve a crunchy, layered texture.

The pockets are filled with stuffing, skilfully folded, then shortly fried in deep oil or baked in an oven. The most common filling is tuna-based, enriched with traditional North African spices such as cilantro, chilis, pepper, or coriander seeds.

A raw egg is often placed on top of the tuna filling, the pastry is carefully folded, and the egg partially cooks inside the flaky pastry. 

Biltong is a traditional beef snack that is cured in a unique way. The word comes from the Dutch bil, meaning hind quarter, and tong, meaning strip, in this case - a strip of meat. Although it looks similar to American beef jerky, it is quite different in flavor and the method of preparation.

The beef is dried with vinegar which cures the meat and adds layers of texture and flavor. It is seasoned with salt, pepper, and coriander, and the meat is much thicker than beef jerky. Originally, it was created out of necessity as a survival food when the Dutch settlers arrived in South Africa.