🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍱 Snacks > 🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago Snacks > 🍱 1.Homemade Doubles , 2.Crispy Pholourie with Tamarind Sauce , 3.Coconut Bake with Saltfish Filling

🍱 Easy Homemade Trinbagonian Snacks You Can Make Anytime

Published by Supakorn | Updated: May 2026

🇹🇹 🍱 Introduction: Affordable Caribbean Snacks Full of Island Flavor

When people think about Caribbean food, they usually imagine colorful beaches, tropical sunshine, lively music, and bold flavors that instantly make you hungry. One country that truly stands out in Caribbean cuisine is Trinidad and Tobago, often lovingly called “Trinbago” by locals. The islands are famous for combining African, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Creole influences into unforgettable comfort food.

Over the years, Trinbagonian snacks have become increasingly popular around the world thanks to food bloggers, travel creators, and tourists who fall in love with the street food culture after visiting places like Maracas Beach and the bustling food streets around Port of Spain. The best part is that many of these recipes are surprisingly affordable and simple to make at home.

This article brings together 3 popular homemade Trinbagonian snack recipes that are budget-friendly, satisfying, and packed with authentic island flavor. These recipes are great for beginners and perfect for family snacks, weekend cooking, or fun gatherings with friends.

Here’s what we’ll be making today:

🍔 ◦ Recipe 1: Homemade Doubles

🍿 ◦ Recipe 2: Crispy Pholourie with Tamarind Sauce

🍟 ◦ Recipe 3: Coconut Bake with Saltfish Filling

Each recipe includes easy ingredients, step-by-step instructions, helpful cooking tips, and answers to common questions so you can confidently recreate these Caribbean favorites in your own kitchen.

So grab your apron, prepare your spices, and let’s bring a little taste of Trinidad and Tobago into your home kitchen! 🌞

🌮 Recipe 1: Homemade Doubles

🥙 About This Recipe

Doubles is one of the most famous street foods in Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of soft fried flatbread called “bara” filled with curried chickpeas, also known as channa. People love doubles because it is cheap, filling, flavorful, and easy to customize with cucumber, pepper sauce, or chutneys.

Originally influenced by Indian cuisine, doubles became a beloved breakfast and snack food throughout the Caribbean. Today, food lovers around the world search for authentic homemade doubles recipes because they are comforting, spicy, and incredibly satisfying.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

For the Bara Dough:

◦ 2 cups all-purpose flour

◦ 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

◦ 1 teaspoon sugar

◦ 1 teaspoon yeast

◦ ½ teaspoon salt

◦ ¾ cup warm water

◦ 1 tablespoon oil

For the Curried Chickpeas:

◦ 2 cups cooked chickpeas

◦ 1 small onion, chopped

◦ 2 garlic cloves, minced

◦ 1 teaspoon curry powder

◦ ½ teaspoon cumin

◦ ½ teaspoon turmeric

◦ 1 cup water

◦ Salt to taste

◦ 1 tablespoon oil

Optional Toppings:

◦ Tamarind sauce

◦ Cucumber slices

◦ Pepper sauce

◦ Chopped cilantro

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

◦ Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, combine flour, turmeric, sugar, yeast, and salt. Slowly add warm water and knead until soft. Add oil and continue kneading for about 5 minutes.

Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour.

◦ Step 2: Cook the Chickpeas

Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add curry powder, turmeric, and cumin.

Stir in the chickpeas and water. Simmer for 15 minutes until slightly thick. Mash a few chickpeas to create a creamier texture.

◦ Step 3: Fry the Bara

Divide the dough into small balls. Flatten each one gently.

Heat oil in a frying pan and fry each bara for about 10–15 seconds per side until puffed and lightly golden.

◦ Step 4: Assemble the Doubles

Place chickpea filling onto one bara and top with another piece. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy immediately.

⚠️ Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

◦ Don’t over-fry the bara or it will become crispy instead of soft.

◦ Let the dough rise fully for better texture.

◦ Mash some chickpeas for authentic creamy filling.

◦ Use moderate heat when frying to avoid burning.

❓ FAQ

Q1.Can I use canned chickpeas?

Yes, canned chickpeas work perfectly and save time.

Q2.Is doubles spicy?

Traditionally yes, but you can adjust the heat level easily.

Q3.Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, refrigerate overnight and let it return to room temperature before frying.

✅ Summary

Homemade doubles are affordable, comforting, and packed with Caribbean flavor. Once you try making them yourself, it becomes easy to understand why this street food is loved worldwide.

🍘 Recipe 2: Crispy Pholourie with Tamarind Sauce

🥘 About This Recipe

Pholourie is a classic Trinbagonian snack made from seasoned split pea batter fried into fluffy golden bites. These crispy snacks are commonly served with tamarind sauce and are popular at markets, beach gatherings, and street food stalls.

One reason pholourie became internationally popular is its addictive combination of crispy texture and tangy dipping sauce. They are inexpensive to prepare and perfect for sharing.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

For the Pholourie:

◦ 1 cup split pea flour

◦ 1 cup all-purpose flour

◦ 1 teaspoon turmeric

◦ 1 teaspoon cumin

◦ 1 teaspoon baking powder

◦ 2 cloves garlic, minced

◦ 2 green onions, chopped

◦ ¾ cup water

◦ Salt to taste

◦ Oil for frying

For the Tamarind Sauce:

◦ ½ cup tamarind paste

◦ 2 tablespoons brown sugar

◦ 1 cup water

◦ Pinch of salt

◦ Optional pepper

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

◦ Step 1: Make the Batter

In a bowl, combine split pea flour, all-purpose flour, turmeric, cumin, baking powder, garlic, and green onions.

Add water gradually until a thick batter forms.

◦ Step 2: Rest the Batter

Let the batter sit for about 20 minutes. This helps create fluffy pholourie.

◦ Step 3: Fry the Pholourie

Heat oil in a deep pan.

Drop small spoonfuls of batter carefully into hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crispy outside.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

◦ Step 4: Prepare Tamarind Sauce

In a saucepan, combine tamarind paste, brown sugar, water, and salt.

Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Serve warm with the fried pholourie.

⚠️ Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

◦ Don’t make the batter too watery.

◦ Fry in small batches for even cooking.

◦ Resting the batter improves texture.

◦ Keep oil temperature medium-high for crispiness.

❓ FAQ

Q1.Can I make pholourie gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free flour alternatives.

Q2.What does tamarind sauce taste like?

It tastes sweet, tangy, and slightly savory.

Q3.Can I store leftovers?

Yes, but pholourie tastes best fresh and warm.

✅ Summary

Pholourie is one of the easiest Trinbagonian snacks to prepare at home. Crispy outside and soft inside, these little bites are perfect for parties or afternoon cravings.

🥥 Recipe 3: Coconut Bake with Saltfish Filling

🍞 About This Recipe

Coconut bake is a beloved Caribbean bread with a lightly sweet coconut flavor and soft texture. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is often paired with savory fillings like saltfish, vegetables, or eggs.

This homemade version is simple, affordable, and filling enough for breakfast, lunch, or snacks. The tropical coconut aroma makes the kitchen smell incredible while baking.

🧂 Ingredients & Measurements

For the Coconut Bake:

◦ 3 cups all-purpose flour

◦ 1 tablespoon baking powder

◦ ½ teaspoon salt

◦ 2 tablespoons sugar

◦ 1 cup coconut milk

◦ 2 tablespoons butter

◦ ½ cup shredded coconut

For the Saltfish Filling:

◦ 1 cup salted cod, soaked and shredded

◦ 1 onion, sliced

◦ 1 tomato, chopped

◦ 1 clove garlic, minced

◦ 1 tablespoon oil

◦ Black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

◦ Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and shredded coconut.

Add coconut milk and butter. Knead gently into soft dough.

Rest for 20 minutes.

◦ Step 2: Bake the Coconut Bread

Shape dough into a round loaf.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes until golden brown.

◦ Step 3: Cook the Saltfish Filling

Heat oil in a pan.

Cook onion, garlic, and tomato until soft. Add shredded saltfish and black pepper.

Cook for another 5 minutes.

◦ Step 4: Assemble

Slice the coconut bake and fill with warm saltfish mixture.

Serve immediately.

⚠️ Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

◦ Don’t over-knead the dough.

◦ Soak salted cod properly to reduce saltiness.

◦ Fresh coconut gives better flavor.

◦ Avoid overbaking to keep bread soft.

❓ FAQ

Q1.Can I use canned fish instead?

Yes, although salted cod gives the most authentic flavor.

Q2.Is coconut bake sweet?

It has a mild sweetness that pairs well with savory fillings.

Q3.Can I freeze coconut bake?

Yes, wrap tightly before freezing.

✅ Summary

Coconut bake with saltfish filling is comforting, satisfying, and wonderfully tropical. It’s a fantastic homemade Caribbean snack that feels both rustic and special.

🌞 Final Thoughts

Making homemade Trinbagonian snacks is easier than many people expect. With affordable ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can enjoy authentic Caribbean flavors without traveling far from home.

Whether you start with soft doubles, crispy pholourie, or warm coconut bake, each recipe offers a delicious introduction to the rich food culture of Trinidad and Tobago. These snacks are flavorful, budget-friendly, and fun to prepare for family and friends.

Try making one recipe at a time and experiment with your own toppings and spice levels. Once you get comfortable with the basics, you may find yourself exploring even more Caribbean dishes in the future.

Most importantly, enjoy the process and share your homemade Trinbagonian snack experience with others. Great food always tastes better when shared together. 🌴

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