Small chops (food)

{{Short description|Nigerian platter snack}} {{Infobox food | name = Small chops | image = File:Small chops.jpg | type = Finger food/ Appetiser | place_of_origin = Nigeria | region = West Africa | served = Hot or warm | main_ingredient = Puff-puff, Samosa, Spring roll, Peppered meat/ chicken | minor_ingredient = | similar_dish = Hors d'oeuvres, canapés, dim sum }}

'''Small chops''' is a popular Nigerian platter of bite-sized finger foods often served as an appetiser before the main meal at social gatherings in Nigeria and across West Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abu |first=Eugenia |date=2022-05-27 |title=I am here for the small chops |url=https://businessday.ng/columnist/article/i-am-here-for-the-small-chops/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}</ref> Small chops consists of an assortment of both indigenous Nigerian and International snacks, including puff-puff, spring rolls, samosa, and peppered meat or chicken.

== History == The term "small chops" is a Nigerian English phrase combining the British colonial slang word "chops" meaning food or a light meal with the adjective "small" to indicate bite-sized portions. The phrase is widely understood across English-speaking West Africa.

The small chops tradition is reported to have existed in Nigeria in some form since at least the 1950s, with its roots traceable to the British colonial era. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Butterfly |first=Kitchen |date=2017-11-27 |title=A Possible History of Nigerian Small Chops [In Their Present Form] |url=https://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/2017/a-possible-history-of-nigerian-small-chops-in-their-present-form/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=Kitchen Butterfly |language=en-GB}}</ref> Early versions of the platter were simpler, consisting of indigenous items like puff-puff, chin-chin, battered fish, mini sausage rolls, and peppered gizzards <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2017-08-24 |title=How To Make Samosa (Small Chops) |url=https://guardian.ng/life/food/how-to-make-samosa-small-chops/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-GB}}</ref>.

The modern composition of small chops now includes snacks from different cultures. The inclusion of samosa, a snack which originated from India, is said to have come from the presence of Indian expatriate communities in Nigeria during the oil boom era of the 1970s when Indians established stores that stocked Indian delicacies. Similarly, spring roll, which originates from China was introduced in the late 1970s when the Chinese were providing huge catering resources, supplying homes and hotels, introducing Chinese cuisine to Nigeria <ref>{{Cite web |last=Butterfly |first=Kitchen |date=2017-11-27 |title=A Possible History of Nigerian Small Chops [In Their Present Form] |url=https://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/2017/a-possible-history-of-nigerian-small-chops-in-their-present-form/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=Kitchen Butterfly |language=en-GB}}</ref>

By the late 20th century, these international cuisines had become a standard component of the small chops platter.

Small chops play a central role in Nigerian owambe party culture. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Thespian |first=Nonyelum Ossai Nonye is a |last2=screenwriter |last3=Writer |first3=Creative |last4=Books |first4=An Unapologetic Lover of |last5=Movies |first5=Great |last6=entertainment |first6=sports She has over 10 years experience in content writing on |last7=movies |last8=sports |last9=Media |first9=lifestyle Nonye is currently a content writer at Blackdot |date=2022-11-19 |title=Owambe: All you need to know about this loud Yoruba party |url=https://www.skabash.com/owambe-yoruba-party/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref> They are typically served as appetisers before the main meal arrives, often signifying the official start of festivities. The quality and variety of the small chops platter depends solely on the event or financial capabilities of the host

Small chops are served at a wide variety of social gatherings including weddings, birthday parties, naming ceremonies, graduations and corporate events <ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-27 |title=Brief History Of "Small Chops" In Nigeria - Food Syncretism |url=https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/brief-history-of-small-chops-in-nigeria-food-syncretism/193923 |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=Local Guides Connect |language=en}}</ref>. They are sometimes served alongside zobo, cocktails, or soft drinks.

== Composition ==

* Puff-puff - a traditional snack made of fried dough, widely considered the most beloved item in any small chops pack. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigerian Puff Puff Recipe : How to make Puff puff – Nigerian Food TV |url=https://www.nigerianfoodtv.com/puff-puff-how-to-make-nigerian-puff/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Spring roll - originally from China, stir-fried vegetable filling wrapped in a thin wafer and deep-fried to a crisp golden brown commonly found in Southeast Asian cuisines * Samosa - a triangular fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas and minced beef <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2017-08-24 |title=How To Make Samosa (Small Chops) |url=https://guardian.ng/life/food/how-to-make-samosa-small-chops/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Chin-chin - a snack made of dough containing flour, sugar, butter, and milk. Optional ingredients include eggs, sugar, lemon/lime zest, orange * Asun - spiced Yoruba barbecue meat delicacy <ref>{{Cite web |title=Asun: Spicy Barbecued Goat Meat |url=https://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/small-chops/asun/ |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=All Nigerian Recipes |language=en-US}}</ref> * Suya - is a traditional Hausa smoke-grilled spiced meat on skewer

== References ==  {{Reflist}}

Category:Pastries Category:Nigerian cuisine Category:Pastries by country Category:Snack foods Category:Nigerian cuisine stubs