✔ Updated · 219 foods, sorted by category
Foods that start with A include apples, avocados, asparagus, almonds, apple pie, arancini, angel food cake and alfredo sauce.
This list rounds up 219 foods that begin with the letter A, sorted into twelve categories: fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and pasta, everyday dishes, desserts, breads and snacks, drinks, cheeses, meat and seafood, herbs and spices, sauces and condiments, and international foods. Each entry has a short description, and a quick A-to-Z list at the end is handy for alphabet games and quizzes.
Foods that start with A, from everyday favorites to rare finds. The most popular:
Fruits That Start With A
Everyday orchard fruit, apple and pear varieties, and tropical rarities. Apples are the fruit I buy most.
Apple
A crisp, juicy tree fruit grown in thousands of varieties, eaten raw, baked into pies or pressed into juice and cider.
Apricot
A small orange stone fruit with velvety skin and sweet-tart flesh, eaten fresh, dried or cooked into jam.
Avocado
A creamy green fruit with a large pit and buttery flesh, mashed into guacamole, sliced onto toast or blended into smoothies.
Açaà Berry
A small, dark purple palm fruit from the Amazon, usually sold as frozen pulp and blended into thick smoothie bowls.
Acerola
Also called Barbados cherry, a small, bright red, very tart fruit from the Caribbean and Central America, mostly made into juice.
Ackee
Jamaica's national fruit, whose soft yellow arils are cooked with salt fish; it must be fully ripe and opened before eating.
Achacha
A small Bolivian fruit related to the mangosteen, with a bright orange shell and tangy, sweet white flesh around a seed.
Abiu
A South American fruit with smooth yellow skin and translucent, jelly-like flesh that tastes like caramel custard.
Amla
The Indian gooseberry, a round, pale green, very sour fruit pickled, candied or cooked into chutneys and murabba.
Atemoya
A cross between the cherimoya and the sugar apple, with bumpy green skin and creamy, sweet, custard-like white flesh.
Asian Pear
A round, golden or russet pear with the crisp crunch of an apple and lots of juice, also called nashi.
Anjou Pear
An egg-shaped pear with green or red skin and mild, sweet, juicy flesh, good for eating fresh, poaching and baking.
Ambarella
Also called June plum, a tropical fruit eaten crunchy and green with salt and chili, or ripe and yellow in juices.
Araza
An Amazonian relative of the guava with thin yellow skin and very sour, fragrant flesh, used in juices, jams and sorbets.
Apple Banana
A short, plump banana with a firm texture and tangy, slightly apple-like flavor, grown in Hawaii and Latin America.
Amanatsu
A large Japanese citrus fruit with thick yellow-orange peel and juicy, sweet-tart segments, in season in early summer.
Amarelle Cherry
A type of sour cherry with light red skin and clear juice, Montmorency being the best known, used in pies and preserves.
Ambrosia Apple
A sweet, honeyed apple variety discovered in British Columbia, with low acidity and creamy flesh that is slow to brown.
Arkansas Black Apple
An heirloom American apple with deep red, almost black skin and very hard flesh that sweetens during storage.
Alpine Strawberry
A tiny wild-type strawberry with an intense, perfumed flavor, grown in gardens and prized by pastry chefs.
Akebia
Called akebi in Japan, a purple pod-like fruit that splits open to reveal sweet, jelly-like white pulp full of seeds.
Aronia Berry
Also called chokeberry, a dark purple North American berry with an astringent taste, used in juices, jams and baking.
Vegetables That Start With A
Spears, greens, roots, squashes and peppers that start with A. Asparagus is my sign that spring is here.
Asparagus
Tender green spears harvested in spring, roasted, grilled, steamed or wrapped in prosciutto; white and purple types also exist.
Artichoke
The edible flower bud of a thistle, steamed whole so the fleshy leaf bases and tender heart can be dipped in butter.
Arugula
Called rocket in the UK, a peppery salad green with a nutty bite, great on pizza, in pasta and in salads.
Acorn Squash
A small, ribbed, dark green winter squash with sweet orange flesh, usually halved and roasted with butter and brown sugar.
Alfalfa Sprouts
Thin, crunchy sprouts from alfalfa seeds with a mild, grassy flavor, piled onto sandwiches, wraps and salads.
Aubergine
The British and French name for eggplant, a glossy purple nightshade that turns silky when roasted, grilled or fried.
Anaheim Pepper
A long, mild green chile named after Anaheim, California, roasted for chiles rellenos, salsas and green chile stews.
Amaranth Greens
The tender leaves of the amaranth plant, cooked like spinach in Caribbean callaloo, Indian dals and Chinese stir-fries.
Arrowroot
A tropical root whose fine white starch thickens sauces and glazes, giving a clear, glossy finish without clouding.
Arracacha
An Andean root vegetable with yellow or white flesh tasting like a mix of celery, carrot and roasted chestnut.
Ash Gourd
Also called winter melon, a large pale green gourd with a waxy coating and mild white flesh used in Asian soups.
Ampalaya
The Filipino name for bitter melon, a bumpy green gourd sautéed with eggs, tomatoes and pork in ginisang ampalaya.
Agretti
An Italian spring green with thin, succulent, chive-like leaves and a salty, grassy flavor, usually blanched and dressed with lemon.
Asparagus Bean
Also called the yardlong bean, a very long, slender green bean popular in Chinese, Thai and Filipino stir-fries.
Arrowhead
A small, starchy aquatic tuber with a mild, slightly bitter flavor, braised or fried for Chinese New Year meals.
Arame
A dark, mild, slightly sweet Japanese seaweed sold dried in thin strands, soaked and added to salads and stir-fries.
Aloe Vera
A succulent whose clear, jelly-like inner leaf is cut into cubes and added to drinks and desserts across Asia.
Ambercup Squash
A small, bright orange winter squash of the kabocha type, with dense, sweet, dry flesh ideal for roasting and soups.
Nuts, Grains & Pasta That Start With A
Nuts, beans, grains, flours and pasta shapes beginning with A.
Almond
An oval nut with a mild, sweet flavor, eaten raw or roasted and ground into almond flour, milk, butter and marzipan.
Acorn
The nut of the oak tree, leached of bitter tannins and ground into flour for Korean dotorimuk jelly and traditional breads.
Adzuki Beans
Small, red beans with a sweet, nutty flavor, cooked with sugar into the red bean paste used in many Asian desserts.
Anasazi Beans
Speckled maroon and white heirloom beans from the American Southwest, cooking up sweet and creamy in chili and soups.
Amaranth
A tiny ancient grain cultivated by the Aztecs, cooked into porridge or popped and bound with honey into Mexican alegrÃa.
Arborio Rice
A short-grain Italian rice whose starchy grains release creaminess as they cook, the classic choice for risotto.
All-Purpose Flour
A versatile wheat flour with a moderate protein level, the everyday choice for cookies, cakes, breads and gravies.
Almond Flour
Finely ground blanched almonds, used in French macarons, frangipane and grain-free baking for a moist, tender crumb.
Atta
A finely milled whole wheat flour from India and Pakistan, kneaded into soft dough for chapati, roti and paratha.
Angel Hair Pasta
Very thin, delicate strands of pasta, called capelli d'angelo in Italian, best with light olive oil or tomato sauces.
Anelli
Small ring-shaped pasta from Sicily, baked into anelletti al forno and familiar from canned spaghetti rings.
Alphabet Pasta
Tiny pasta shaped like letters of the alphabet, a childhood favorite in vegetable soup and chicken broth.
Agnolotti
Small, pinched pockets of fresh egg pasta from Piedmont, stuffed with roasted meat or vegetables and served with butter.
Aquafaba
The thick liquid from cooked or canned chickpeas, which whips like egg whites into vegan meringues and mousses.
Dishes & Meals That Start With A
Breakfasts, mains and appetizers you can make at home.
Avocado Toast
Toasted bread topped with mashed avocado, salt, lemon and chili flakes, often finished with a poached or fried egg.
Get the recipe →Açaà Bowl
Frozen açaà pulp blended thick with banana and berries, served in a bowl and topped with granola, fruit and honey.
Au Gratin Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in cream with a golden crust of cheese and breadcrumbs, a classic holiday side dish.
American Chop Suey
A New England comfort dish of elbow macaroni, ground beef, onions and tomato sauce, similar to American goulash.
Angels on Horseback
A British appetizer of oysters wrapped in bacon and broiled until crisp, traditionally served on small slices of toast.
Almond Chicken
A Chinese-American dish of breaded, fried chicken topped with gravy and toasted almonds, a Detroit takeout favorite.
Ahi Poke
A Hawaiian dish of cubed raw yellowfin tuna tossed with soy sauce, sesame oil, onions and seaweed, served over rice.
Arroz con Pollo
A one-pot Latin American and Spanish dish of chicken and rice cooked with saffron or annatto, peppers, peas and olives.
Antipasto
The Italian starter course: a platter of cured meats, cheeses, olives, marinated vegetables and breadsticks.
Aglio e Olio
A Neapolitan pasta of spaghetti tossed with garlic gently fried in olive oil, chili flakes and parsley.
Arancini
Sicilian fried rice balls with a crisp breadcrumb coating, stuffed with ragù, peas and mozzarella or ham.
Avocado Egg Rolls
A restaurant appetizer of chunky avocado, sun-dried tomato and red onion in crisp fried wrappers, served with a sweet dip.
Desserts & Sweets That Start With A
Pies, cakes, pastries and candy that start with A. Apple pie is the one I bake every fall.
Apple Pie
A double-crust pie of sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, often served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Apple Crisp
Baked spiced apples under a crunchy topping of butter, sugar, flour and often oats, served warm in a deep dish.
Get the recipe →Apple Crumble
The British cousin of apple crisp, with a sandy, buttery flour-and-sugar topping and usually served with custard.
Get the recipe →Apple Strudel
An Austrian pastry of paper-thin stretched dough rolled around apples, raisins, cinnamon and buttered breadcrumbs.
Apple Turnover
A flaky pastry folded into a triangle around a spiced apple filling, baked or fried and dusted with sugar.
Apple Fritter
A doughnut-shop treat of yeasted dough studded with apple pieces and cinnamon, fried and coated in sugary glaze.
Apple Cider Doughnut
A cake doughnut made with reduced apple cider and spices, rolled in cinnamon sugar, a fall favorite at orchards.
Apple Brown Betty
An old American dessert of baked apples layered with sweetened, buttered breadcrumbs and warm spices.
Apple Dumplings
Whole cored apples wrapped in pastry and baked in a buttery cinnamon syrup, a Pennsylvania Dutch classic.
Angel Food Cake
A tall, airy sponge cake made from whipped egg whites, sugar and flour, baked in a tube pan without butter.
Ambrosia
A retro Southern fruit salad of mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut and marshmallows folded into whipped cream.
Get the recipe →Affogato
An Italian dessert of a scoop of vanilla gelato with a shot of hot espresso poured over it at the table.
Alfajores
Soft, crumbly sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche, often rolled in coconut, loved in Argentina and Peru.
Amaretti
Crisp or chewy Italian almond cookies flavored with bitter almond or apricot kernels, often wrapped in colorful papers.
Almond Joy
Hershey's candy bar of sweetened coconut topped with a whole almond and coated in milk chocolate.
Arctic Roll
A British frozen dessert of vanilla ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of sponge cake and raspberry jam.
Arroz con Leche
A creamy Spanish and Latin American rice pudding simmered with milk, sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel.
Anmitsu
A Japanese dessert of agar jelly cubes, sweet red bean paste, fruit and mochi, drizzled with dark sugar syrup.
Anko
Japanese sweet red bean paste made from adzuki beans, the filling in mochi, dorayaki, taiyaki and buns.
Andagi
Okinawan doughnuts, called sata andagi, fried into crunchy, golden balls with a dense, cakey center.
Atlantic Beach Pie
A North Carolina lemon pie with a salty crust of crushed saltine crackers, topped with whipped cream and sea salt.
Ashure
A Turkish pudding of wheat, beans, dried fruit and nuts, also called Noah's pudding and shared with neighbors.
Atayef
Small Middle Eastern pancakes folded around sweet cheese or nuts, fried or served fresh and soaked in syrup during Ramadan.
Angel Wings
Thin ribbons of crisp fried dough dusted with powdered sugar, known as chruściki in Poland and crostoli in Italy.
Apple Butter
A thick, dark spread made by slowly cooking apples with cider and spices until caramelized, spread on toast and biscuits.
Get the recipe →Aniseed Balls
Hard, round British candies with a strong licorice-like aniseed flavor and a tiny seed at the center.
Breads & Snacks That Start With A
Breads, pastries and snack foods beginning with A.
Arepa
A round cornmeal cake from Venezuela and Colombia, griddled until crisp outside, then split and stuffed with fillings.
Almond Croissant
A day-old croissant soaked in syrup, filled with almond cream and baked again under a crust of sliced almonds.
Anadama Bread
A New England yeast bread made with cornmeal and molasses, with a soft, slightly sweet, golden crumb.
Ash Cake
An old Southern cornmeal bread wrapped in leaves or cabbage and baked in the hot ashes of a fire.
Angel Biscuits
Southern biscuits made with both yeast and baking powder, giving a light, fluffy texture that rises high.
Amish Friendship Bread
A sweet cinnamon quick bread made from a shared sourdough-style starter that is passed between friends.
Artisan Bread
Rustic, crusty hand-shaped loaves made with simple ingredients and long fermentation for an open, chewy crumb.
Get the recipe →Appam
A lacy South Indian pancake of fermented rice and coconut batter, crisp at the edges and soft in the center.
Aloo Paratha
An Indian flatbread stuffed with spiced mashed potato and griddled with ghee, eaten with yogurt and pickle.
Aebleskiver
Danish pancake puffs cooked in a special dimpled pan, served dusted with powdered sugar and jam at Christmas.
Animal Crackers
Small, lightly sweet crackers shaped like zoo animals, sold in the US since the late 1800s.
Ants on a Log
A classic kids' snack of celery sticks spread with peanut butter and dotted with raisins.
Apple Chips
Thin apple slices baked or dried until crisp, sometimes dusted with cinnamon for a crunchy snack.
Arrowroot Biscuits
Plain, lightly sweet cookies made with arrowroot flour, a traditional first snack for toddlers.
Drinks That Start With A
Juices, coffee, tea, cocktails and spirits starting with A.
Apple Juice
Pressed and filtered apple juice, sold clear or cloudy and one of the most popular juices for kids.
Apple Cider
Unfiltered, unsweetened juice pressed from fresh apples, served cold or mulled hot with spices in the fall.
Americano
Espresso diluted with hot water to the strength of drip coffee, said to be named for American soldiers in wartime Italy.
Almond Milk
A plant-based milk made from ground almonds and water, used in coffee, cereal, smoothies and baking.
Agua Fresca
A light Mexican drink of blended fruit, flowers or seeds with water and sugar, such as watermelon or hibiscus.
Atole
A warm, thick Mexican drink of masa, milk or water, sweetened with piloncillo and flavored with cinnamon or chocolate.
Ayran
A cold, salty Turkish drink of yogurt whisked with water, served with kebabs and grilled meats.
Amazake
A sweet, thick Japanese drink of fermented rice made with koji, served warm in winter or chilled in summer.
Assam Tea
A bold, malty black tea from the Assam region of northeast India and the base of many breakfast tea blends.
Avocado Smoothie
A thick, creamy blended drink of ripe avocado, milk and a little sweetener, popular across Southeast Asia.
Get the recipe →Arnold Palmer
Half iced tea and half lemonade, named after the American golfer who made the drink famous.
Aperol Spritz
An Italian aperitif of bittersweet orange Aperol, prosecco and soda water, served over ice with an orange slice.
Get the recipe →Amaretto
A sweet Italian liqueur with an almond flavor, often made from apricot kernels, sipped neat or mixed into cocktails.
Amaretto Sour
A sweet-sour cocktail of amaretto, lemon juice and sugar, often shaken with egg white for a silky foam.
Appletini
A bright green apple martini of vodka and sour apple liqueur, a cocktail-bar favorite of the late 1990s.
Aviation
A pale violet classic cocktail of gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette and lemon juice.
Absinthe
A strong, anise-flavored spirit made with wormwood, traditionally diluted with iced water poured over a sugar cube.
Ale
A beer brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warm temperatures, including pale ales, IPAs, stouts and porters.
Amarula
A South African cream liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree, smooth and caramel-like, served over ice.
Arak
A clear, anise-flavored spirit from the Levant that turns milky white when mixed with water and ice.
Cheeses & Dairy That Start With A
Cheeses from Italy, Switzerland, France, Ireland and beyond.
American Cheese
A mild, smooth processed cheese that melts perfectly, the classic choice for cheeseburgers and grilled cheese.
Asiago
An Italian cow's milk cheese, mild and supple when young and sharp and crumbly when aged for grating.
Appenzeller
A firm Swiss cheese washed with an herbal brine during aging, giving it a strong, spicy, fruity flavor.
Abondance
A semi-hard French Alpine cheese from Haute-Savoie with a fruity, nutty flavor and distinctive concave sides.
Akkawi
A white, mildly salty brined cheese from the Levant, eaten fresh or desalted for sweets like knafeh.
Ardrahan
An Irish washed-rind cheese from County Cork with an orange rind and an earthy, buttery, savory taste.
Anthotyros
A soft, fresh Greek whey cheese similar to ricotta, eaten with honey or aged until hard for grating.
Asadero
A soft, mild Mexican cheese that melts smoothly, used in queso fundido, quesadillas and chiles rellenos.
Añejo Cheese
A firm, salty aged Mexican cheese crumbled over enchiladas and beans, often coated in chili powder.
Meat & Seafood That Start With A
Fish, shellfish, game and cuts of meat that start with A.
Anchovies
Small, oily fish usually salt-cured and packed in oil, adding deep savory flavor to Caesar dressing and pizza.
Abalone
A large sea snail with a firm, sweet, meaty foot, prized in Chinese, Korean and Japanese cooking.
Ahi Tuna
The Hawaiian name for yellowfin and bigeye tuna, served raw in sushi and poke or seared rare.
Albacore Tuna
A tuna with pale, mild flesh, sold canned as white tuna and also grilled fresh.
Alaska Pollock
A mild white fish from the North Pacific, the main fish in fish sticks and imitation crab.
Alaskan King Crab
A giant crab with long, spiny legs packed with sweet, rich meat, usually steamed and served with melted butter.
Arctic Char
A cold-water fish related to salmon and trout, with pink flesh and a delicate flavor, great pan-seared.
Atlantic Salmon
The most widely farmed salmon, with rich, orange flesh baked, grilled, smoked or served raw as sashimi.
Amberjack
A firm, mild game fish, served in Japan as hamachi or kanpachi sashimi and grilled elsewhere.
Ayu
A small Japanese river fish, also called sweetfish, salted and grilled whole on skewers in summer.
Arbroath Smokie
A haddock salted and hot-smoked over hardwood in the Scottish town of Arbroath, with protected status.
Alligator
Mild, white, firm meat from farmed American alligators, often fried in nuggets or served in Cajun dishes.
Andouille Sausage
A coarse, heavily smoked pork sausage seasoned with garlic and cayenne, essential to Cajun gumbo and jambalaya.
Alheira
A Portuguese smoked sausage made with poultry or game and bread, said to have been created by Portuguese Jews in the late 1400s.
Angus Beef
Beef from Angus cattle, a Scottish breed known for well-marbled, tender meat used in steaks and burgers.
Arm Roast
A budget-friendly beef roast from the chuck shoulder that turns tender when braised as pot roast.
Airline Chicken Breast
A skin-on chicken breast with the first wing joint still attached, a restaurant cut that roasts juicy.
Herbs & Spices That Start With A
Seasonings, chiles and aromatics beginning with A.
Allspice
The dried berry of a Caribbean tree that tastes like cinnamon, clove and nutmeg combined, key to jerk seasoning.
Anise
A seed with a sweet licorice flavor, used in biscotti, pizzelle and spirits such as ouzo and arak.
Annatto
Also called achiote, red seeds that color and flavor food, used in Yucatán cochinita pibil and Filipino dishes.
Aleppo Pepper
Coarse, dark red chili flakes from Syria and Turkey with moderate heat and a fruity, slightly salty flavor.
Ajwain
Small seeds with a strong thyme-like flavor, fried in oil to season Indian breads, pakoras and dals.
Amchur
A tangy powder made from dried unripe mangoes, adding sour flavor to Indian chaats, curries and chutneys.
Asafoetida
A pungent dried resin, also called hing, that mellows into an onion-garlic flavor when fried in Indian cooking.
Ancho Chile
A dried poblano pepper with wrinkled, dark red skin and a mild, sweet, raisin-like flavor, used in mole.
Ajà Amarillo
A fruity, medium-hot yellow chile that is central to Peruvian cooking, from ajà de gallina to ceviche.
Angelica
A tall herb whose stems are candied and used to decorate cakes, while its roots flavor gin and liqueurs.
Adobo Seasoning
A Latin all-purpose blend of garlic, oregano, black pepper and salt used to season meats, rice and beans.
Aonori
Green seaweed flakes sprinkled over takoyaki, okonomiyaki and yakisoba for a salty, oceanic flavor.
Sauces, Condiments & Pantry That Start With A
Sauces, dips, sweeteners and staples that start with A.
Alfredo Sauce
A rich Italian-American sauce of butter, heavy cream and Parmesan, served with fettuccine and chicken.
Aioli
A garlicky emulsified sauce from Provence and Catalonia, served with seafood, fries and sandwiches.
Applesauce
Cooked, pureed apples served as a side with pork chops and latkes, and used in moist cakes and muffins.
Au Jus
A thin, savory sauce made from beef pan juices, served with prime rib and French dip sandwiches.
Get the recipe →Arrabbiata Sauce
A spicy Roman tomato sauce made with garlic and red chili flakes, usually tossed with penne pasta.
Amatriciana Sauce
A Roman pasta sauce of tomato, cured guanciale and pecorino, from the town of Amatrice.
Ajvar
A smoky Balkan relish of roasted red peppers and eggplant, spread on bread or served with grilled meat.
Achar
South Asian pickles of mango, lime, chili or vegetables preserved in oil and spices, served with meals.
Adjika
A hot, garlicky Georgian chili paste with herbs and spices, served with meat, bread and stews.
Alabama White Sauce
A tangy barbecue sauce of mayonnaise, vinegar and black pepper, created for smoked chicken in Alabama.
Almond Butter
Roasted almonds ground into a creamy spread, used like peanut butter on toast, in smoothies and baking.
Anchovy Paste
A salty, savory paste of ground anchovies sold in tubes, used to boost flavor in dressings and sauces.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A tangy vinegar made from fermented apple cider, used in salad dressings, marinades, pickles and slaws.
Agave Syrup
A sweetener made from the sap of the agave plant, thinner than honey and often used in cocktails.
Agar
A plant-based gelling agent from seaweed that sets firmer than gelatin and stays solid at room temperature.
Avocado Oil
A mild oil pressed from avocado flesh with a high smoke point, good for searing, roasting and dressings.
Angostura Bitters
Concentrated aromatic bitters from Trinidad, a few dashes of which season Old Fashioneds and Manhattans.
Allemande Sauce
A classic French sauce of velouté thickened with egg yolks and cream, finished with lemon juice.
Agrodolce
An Italian sweet and sour sauce of vinegar and sugar, often with raisins and pine nuts, served with vegetables or meat.
Aspic
A savory jelly made from clarified meat or fish stock, used to set terrines and glaze cold dishes.
International Foods That Start With A
Global dishes that start with A, from Peru to the Philippines.
Adobo
The Philippines' best-known dish: chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns.
Ackee and Saltfish
Jamaica's national dish of salt cod sautéed with ackee, onions, peppers and tomatoes, eaten for breakfast.
Arroz Caldo
A Filipino rice porridge cooked with chicken, ginger and garlic, topped with fried garlic and green onions.
Arroz con Gandules
Puerto Rico's festive rice with pigeon peas, pork and sofrito, colored with annatto and served at holidays.
Arroz Negro
A Spanish rice dish from Valencia and Catalonia cooked with squid ink and seafood, served with aioli.
Albóndigas
Spanish and Mexican meatballs, served as tapas in tomato sauce or simmered in a vegetable soup.
Aloo Gobi
A North Indian dry curry of potatoes and cauliflower cooked with turmeric, cumin, ginger and garam masala.
Aloo Tikki
Crisp, spiced Indian potato patties fried in oil and served as street food with chutneys and yogurt.
Akara
Golden fritters made from black-eyed pea batter, fried as street food in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Amok Trey
A Cambodian fish curry with coconut milk and lemongrass paste, steamed in banana leaves until set.
Avgolemono
A Greek soup of chicken broth and rice or orzo thickened with eggs and lemon juice.
Asopao
A Puerto Rican chicken and rice stew, thick like gumbo, seasoned with sofrito, olives and capers.
Aguachile
A Mexican dish from Sinaloa of raw shrimp in lime juice, chilies, cucumber and red onion.
Ajiaco
A Colombian chicken and potato soup from Bogotá with guascas herb, corn, capers and cream.
Anticuchos
Peruvian skewers of marinated beef heart grilled over charcoal and sold by street vendors.
Asado
The Argentine and Uruguayan barbecue tradition of beef ribs, sausages and offal slowly grilled over embers.
Ash Reshteh
A thick Persian noodle soup with beans, herbs and spinach, topped with fried onions, mint and kashk.
Abgoosht
A hearty Persian stew of lamb, chickpeas, white beans and potato, served with the broth and meat separately.
Adana Kebab
A spicy Turkish kebab of hand-minced lamb and red pepper pressed onto flat skewers and grilled.
Acquacotta
A Tuscan peasant soup of vegetables and herbs poured over stale bread and topped with a poached egg.
Aligot
A French dish from Aubrac of mashed potatoes beaten with garlic and tomme cheese until stretchy.
Ajo Blanco
A chilled Andalusian soup of almonds, garlic, bread, olive oil and vinegar, often served with grapes.
Alcapurria
A Puerto Rican fritter of green banana and taro dough stuffed with seasoned meat and fried.
Afang Soup
A Nigerian vegetable soup made with afang and waterleaf greens, palm oil, meat and fish.
Amala
A smooth, dark Yoruba swallow food from Nigeria, made from yam flour and eaten with ewedu soup.
Ambuyat
Brunei's national dish: a sticky, starchy sago paste twirled on bamboo forks and dipped in sour sauce.
Abacha
An Igbo salad from Nigeria of dried, shredded cassava with palm oil, ugba, fish and garden egg.
Alloco
Ripe plantain slices fried in palm oil and served with chili sauce, a street food in Côte d'Ivoire.
Attiéké
Fermented cassava granules steamed like couscous, an Ivorian staple served with grilled fish and onions.
Asida
A North African and Arabian dish of smooth wheat dough cooked in water, served with honey or butter.
Aalsuppe
A sweet-and-sour Hamburg soup traditionally made with eel, dried fruit, vegetables and small dumplings.
Adai
A thick, protein-rich South Indian pancake made from a batter of rice and several lentils, eaten with chutney.
Acuka
A spicy Turkish dip of red pepper paste, walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic and olive oil, served as a meze.
Ayam Goreng
Indonesian and Malaysian fried chicken, marinated in turmeric, garlic and spices before frying.
Atchara
A Filipino pickle of shredded green papaya with carrots, ginger and peppers, served with grilled meats.
Did You Know?
- Botanically, an avocado is a large berry with a single seed, and the fruit only starts to soften after it has been picked from the tree.
- Almonds are not true nuts. They are the seeds of a drupe, a stone fruit closely related to peaches, plums and cherries.
- Ackee, Jamaica's national fruit, arrived from West Africa in the 1700s; only fully ripe fruit that has opened naturally on the tree is safe to eat.
- Angel food cake contains no butter or egg yolks, and it is cooled upside down in its tube pan so the airy crumb does not collapse.
Quick List: All 219 Foods That Start With A
Handy for alphabet games, quizzes and Scattergories. The full list, A to Z:
Aalsuppe, Abacha, Abalone, Abgoosht, Abiu, Abondance, Absinthe, Acerola, Achacha, Achar, Ackee, Ackee and Saltfish, Acorn, Acorn Squash, Acquacotta, Acuka, Adai, Adana Kebab, Adjika, Adobo, Adobo Seasoning, Adzuki Beans, Aebleskiver, Afang Soup, Affogato, Agar, Agave Syrup, Aglio e Olio, Agnolotti, Agretti, Agrodolce, Agua Fresca, Aguachile, Ahi Poke, Ahi Tuna, Aioli, Airline Chicken Breast, Ajiaco, Ajo Blanco, Ajvar, Ajwain, Ajà Amarillo, Akara, Akebia, Akkawi, Alabama White Sauce, Alaska Pollock, Alaskan King Crab, Albacore Tuna, Albóndigas, Alcapurria, Ale, Aleppo Pepper, Alfajores, Alfalfa Sprouts, Alfredo Sauce, Alheira, Aligot, All-Purpose Flour, Allemande Sauce, Alligator, Alloco, Allspice, Almond, Almond Butter, Almond Chicken, Almond Croissant, Almond Flour, Almond Joy, Almond Milk, Aloe Vera, Aloo Gobi, Aloo Paratha, Aloo Tikki, Alphabet Pasta, Alpine Strawberry, Amala, Amanatsu, Amaranth, Amaranth Greens, Amarelle Cherry, Amaretti, Amaretto, Amaretto Sour, Amarula, Amatriciana Sauce, Amazake, Ambarella, Ambercup Squash, Amberjack, Ambrosia, Ambrosia Apple, Ambuyat, Amchur, American Cheese, American Chop Suey, Americano, Amish Friendship Bread, Amla, Amok Trey, Ampalaya, Anadama Bread, Anaheim Pepper, Anasazi Beans, Ancho Chile, Anchovies, Anchovy Paste, Andagi, Andouille Sausage, Anelli, Angel Biscuits, Angel Food Cake, Angel Hair Pasta, Angel Wings, Angelica, Angels on Horseback, Angostura Bitters, Angus Beef, Animal Crackers, Anise, Aniseed Balls, Anjou Pear, Anko, Anmitsu, Annatto, Anthotyros, Anticuchos, Antipasto, Ants on a Log, Aonori, Aperol Spritz, Appam, Appenzeller, Apple, Apple Banana, Apple Brown Betty, Apple Butter, Apple Chips, Apple Cider, Apple Cider Doughnut, Apple Cider Vinegar, Apple Crisp, Apple Crumble, Apple Dumplings, Apple Fritter, Apple Juice, Apple Pie, Apple Strudel, Apple Turnover, Applesauce, Appletini, Apricot, Aquafaba, Arak, Arame, Arancini, Araza, Arborio Rice, Arbroath Smokie, Arctic Char, Arctic Roll, Ardrahan, Arepa, Arkansas Black Apple, Arm Roast, Arnold Palmer, Aronia Berry, Arrabbiata Sauce, Arracacha, Arrowhead, Arrowroot, Arrowroot Biscuits, Arroz Caldo, Arroz con Gandules, Arroz con Leche, Arroz con Pollo, Arroz Negro, Artichoke, Artisan Bread, Arugula, Asadero, Asado, Asafoetida, Ash Cake, Ash Gourd, Ash Reshteh, Ashure, Asiago, Asian Pear, Asida, Asopao, Asparagus, Asparagus Bean, Aspic, Assam Tea, Atayef, Atchara, Atemoya, Atlantic Beach Pie, Atlantic Salmon, Atole, Atta, Attiéké, Au Gratin Potatoes, Au Jus, Aubergine, Avgolemono, Aviation, Avocado, Avocado Egg Rolls, Avocado Oil, Avocado Smoothie, Avocado Toast, Ayam Goreng, Ayran, Ayu, Açaà Berry, Açaà Bowl, Añejo Cheese
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit starts with A?
Apples, apricots and avocados are the best-known fruits that start with A. Others include açaà berries, acerola, ackee, Asian pears, Anjou pears, atemoya, abiu, amla, aronia berries and alpine strawberries, plus apple varieties like Ambrosia and Arkansas Black.
What vegetable starts with A?
Asparagus, artichokes and arugula are the most common vegetables that start with A. Acorn squash, alfalfa sprouts, aubergine (eggplant), Anaheim peppers, amaranth greens, arrowroot, arracacha, ash gourd and ampalaya also begin with A.
What's a dessert that starts with A?
Apple pie is the classic dessert that starts with A. Angel food cake, apple crisp, apple strudel, affogato, alfajores, amaretti, ambrosia salad, arroz con leche and Atlantic Beach pie are other sweet choices beginning with A.
What are some rare or unusual foods that start with A?
Unusual foods that start with A include ackee, Jamaica's national fruit; atemoya and abiu, two custardy tropical fruits; asafoetida, a pungent Indian spice; ambuyat, a sticky sago dish from Brunei; arracacha, an Andean root; and alligator meat.
What's a breakfast food that starts with A?
Avocado toast and açaà bowls are popular breakfast foods that start with A. Apple pancakes, aebleskiver, appam, arepas, almond croissants, apple juice and a strong Americano coffee also make a good A-themed breakfast.
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