Sicilian street food is a must try if you are traveling to Sicily! It is the best fast food you’ll ever enjoy available all over the island in bars, cafés, stands or rest areas on the highway. Here’s a list of some of the best street foods to indulge in on your next trip to Sicily. Or make them at home with my easy to follow recipes!
Summer is right around the corner and if you’ve purchased your airline tickets, booked the hotels and excursions, next you’ll want to know what to eat when you get to Sicily!
If you’re traveling around Sicily I want to assure you that you’ll find the most amazing street food just about everyone you turn! Whether it’s at a local bar or café; a rosticceria; a stand at a local market or even at a rest area on the highway, you’ll always find something amazing to eat.
And if you don’t have the good fortune to travel to Sicily this summer, no worries. I’ve linked my recipes for all these delicious street foods so you can easily recreate them at home! Just click on “Read More” after each description to link to the recipe post.
What is Sicilian street food?
Sicilian street food consists of inexpensive and satisfying snacks, sweet or savory, that can be enjoyed at a moment’s notice when you have a sudden hunger pang!
They are often referred to as pezzi di rosticceria or rosticceria pieces that are sold individually or sometimes by weight. Therefore, they are ideal whether you just need a quick bite on the go or want to bring several pieces home to enjoy with family or for a buffet style meal.
These finger foods can be enjoyed in just a few bites and don’t require any cutlery or plates. And that makes them perfect to take along for a day at the beach!
Now that I’ve piqued your curiosity, read on for a list (although definitely non exhaustive) of some of Sicily’s most popular street foods!
Sicilian Street Foods
The Best Sicilian Arancini
There's no doubt, arancini (also known as rice balls) are one of Sicily's most recognizable and popular foods! Arancini means little oranges and these stuffed rice balls are breaded and fried until crisp and golden. I usually choose classic arancini filled with meat ragu and peas. However, these days you'll find a wide range of arancini fillings including seafood arancini; alla Norma (eggplant); pistachio; squid ink as well as sweet chocolate arancini!
Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters)
Originally from Palermo, these chickpea fritters are made with a flour and chickpea flour mixture cooked very much like polenta; spread out thinly; cooled and fried until crisp. Most often served in a panino drizzled with lemon juice, this is known as pane e panelle. This is the best vegan panino I have ever tried! So filling and satisfying on it's own, but sometimes you'll find this sandwich stuffed with potato croquettes (crocchè). Don't hesitate to try it!
Sicilian Rosticceria Small Bites
Pezzi di rosticceria is what you call these individual sized brioche like dough morsels filled or topped with meats; vegetables or cheese. These include rollò con wurstel (think pigs in blankets Sicilian style!); calzone filled with prosciutto cotto and cheese; mini pizzas topped with tomato and cheese and a whole lot more. They are always a favorite with the little ones!
Spinach and Ricotta Brioche Buns (ravazzate)
Another example of rosticceria pieces, this vegetarian variation of classic ravazzate, usually filled with a meat ragu, is stuffed with spinach and ricotta. Ravazzate may be found either baked or fried.
Pane Cunzatu - Sicilian Sandwich
The flavors of this simple sandwich are out of this world! Pane cunzatu (seasoned bread) is filled with the freshest ingredients: ripe tomatoes; anchovies; cheese; oregano and olive oil. You'll find pane cunzatu stands all over Sicily with varied fillings.
Sfincione Siciliano (Sicilian Style Pizza)
The most popular version of sfincione is found in Palermo. Topped with a rich sweet onion and tomato sauce, anchovies; Pecorino cheese and crispy muddica (breadcrumbs). You'll find a delicious variation without tomato sauce, topped with ricotta; tuma; and caciocavallo cheeses in Bagheria called sfincione Bagherese.
Sicilian Sausage Bread (Bignolati)
Also sometimes known as Sicilian sausage bread and can be baked as individual portions or a large spherical rolled bread cut once baked. This popular snack from Agrigento (southern Sicily) can be called in a variety of ways including 'mbriulati; mignolate or even miscateddri. If sausage filling is not for you, check out my vegetarian swiss chard and potato filled bignolati!
Pitoni Messinesi (Sicilian Fried Calzone)
In Messina, you'll find pitoni or piduni, which are basically Sicilian fried calzone. This delicious treat is filled with curly escarole, cherry tomatoes, anchovies and mozzarella.
Focaccia Messinese (Sicilian Style Focaccia with Escarole)
Similar to the pitoni filling but this time served as a topping for this satisfying focaccia. The dough for this focaccia is made with a combination of flour and semolina for extra crisp texture.
Cipolline Catanesi (Sicilian Onion Puff Pastry Tarts)
Cipolline Catanesi (from Catania) are onion puff pastry tarts filled with slow cooked onions in tomato sauce, cheese and prosciutto cotto all wrapped in flaky, buttery puff pastry to create the perfect little bundle!
A few classic Sicilian sweet options!
Sicily's most popular dessert found all over the island. You'll just have to choose whether you want the ricotta or pastry cream filled. Ricotta for me please!
Granita is the perfect way to keep cool during the summer in Sicily. It's not unusual to enjoy granita for breakfast (along with a brioche); mid-day, mid-afternoon or late night snack. Basically any time of day! And you'll be amazed to find several flavors depending on which fruit is in season. This may include blueberry; strawberry; cherry; peach or classics such as pistachio; almond or coffee flavored. I highly recommend a combination of lemon and strawberry, just ask for an Angelica. Top it with panna (whipped cream) for an extra decadent treat!
If you order granita, you will need a brioche to go along with it! These lightly sweetened brioche are topped with a tuppo (bun). The correct way to eat them is by first removing the tuppo to dunk in your granita! If you prefer ice cream to granita, ask for your brioche stuffed with gelato of your choice.
I made a healthier, baked version of iris stuffed with ricotta. This is another example of Sicilian rosticceria made with a brioche like dough and filled with creamy, sweet ricotta. The decadent fried version is sometimes coated in breadcrumbs and therefore has a crisp, golden exterior just like arancini!
There you have it, my list of favorite Sicilian street foods. If you have a chance to give them a try while traveling in Sicily, please let me know which were your favorites, or let me know other ones you discover! Buon viaggio e buon appetito!
What a yummy delicious looking list of street food to try. Can’t wait.
Thank you.
Thank you very much Ettore, hope you enjoy them!
Thank you so much! As always you share the sweetest and the best of our Sicilian food. I will be making these fabulous foods of my family’s heritage.
Thank you Linda, that is definitely my intention. Hope you give some of these recipes a try!