40 Common Foods That Start With F

French fries, known as chips in the UK and Australia, are potatoes cut into long, thin strips and deep-fried until crispy.

They are often seasoned with salt and can be served with various condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, or vinegar.

They are commonly enjoyed as a side dish to burgers, as part of a meal, or as a standalone snack.

Originating in Belgium, French fries have become a global staple.

Fried chicken (fully known as Southern fried chicken) is a beloved dish consisting of chicken pieces that have been coated in a seasoned batter or breading mixture.

They can be deep-fried, pan-fried, or pressure-fried.

The coating creates a crispy outer layer while keeping the meat juicy and tender inside. The seasonings in the batter or breading can vary widely, often including spices and herbs.

It’s often served as a main dish with sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or biscuits.

Fried rice is a versatile and popular dish in many Asian cuisines, particularly in Chinese and some Asian cuisines like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.

It’s made by stir-frying cooked rice in a wok or frying pan over high heat. Common ingredients are vegetables, eggs, and meat (e.g., chicken, pork, beef, shrimp), or tofu.

Seasonings like soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, or aromatics like garlic, ginger, and green onions are commonly added.

Fried rice is often enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish and is a delicious way to use up leftover rice and other ingredients.

Flatbread is a type of bread that is typically unleavened and made without yeast. Therefore, the dough doesn’t rise and remains relatively flat when cooked.

The ingredients are usually simple, consisting of flour, water, and salt, but can also include oils, herbs, or other seasonings. It can be baked in an oven, grilled, or cooked on a stovetop.

Flatbreads are a staple in many cultures around the world. They come in various forms and textures, such as pita, naan, tortilla, and focaccia.

You can use flatbread as a base for toppings, wrap it around fillings for sandwiches, eat it on its own, dip it in sauces, or use it to scoop other foods.

Frittata is a delicious egg-based dish from Italy. The name means “fried” in Italian.

It contains beaten eggs, vegetables (such as sliced zucchini, potatoes, and chopped cabbages), and some proteins like meats (bacon or chicken), or cheese. All together are cooked in a skillet.

Frittata is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner. They can be served hot or at room temperature and are often sliced into wedges for easy serving.

Fish and chips is a classic British dish including deep-fried fish (normally cod or haddock) in a light, crispy batter, served with thick-cut fries known as “chips.”

This popular street food is often wrapped in paper. It is usually accompanied by tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and sometimes mushy peas.

French toast is a popular dessert and breakfast food in many Western countries.

It is a delicacy that consists of sliced fried bread that has already been soaked in eggs and milk.

As for toppings, the possibilities are limitless. You can add powdered sugar, maple syrup, jam, honey, butter, whipping cream, or fruits.

Froot Loops are a popular breakfast cereal known for their vibrant and colorful ring-shaped pieces.

Since 1959, this is a Kellogg’s product, which has been available in many countries, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, etc.

The ring-shaped cereal pieces pair beautifully with milk. They can also double as whimsical decorations for cakes and cookies.

Fondue is a delightful Swiss dish where melted cheese is served in a communal pot.

It is typically accompanied by pieces of bread, fruits, and vegetables for dipping.

It’s a social and interactive dining experience that brings people together, making it an ideal meal for winter.

Falafel is a famous treat made from chickpeas and fava beans seasoned with garlic, parsley, and green onions.

Originally from the Middle East, it has become popular in Europe and North America due to its crunchy, herby, and spicy flavor, along with its high plant-based protein content.

They can be fried or baked for a crispy texture.

Fettuccine is a type of Italian pasta renowned for its flat, thick, and ribbon-like shape, typically made from egg and flour.

Originating from Roman and Tuscan cuisine, this pasta is often served with rich and hearty sauces such as Alfredo or Bolognese.

Its substantial texture and size make it a great choice for creamy recipes.

Focaccia is an Italian bread that is often likened to “pizza bianca” due to its resemblance to pizza.

Gaining popularity in America through Italian immigrants, this Italian bread is fluffier than pizza, thanks to extra yeast.

It’s distinctively flavored with olive oil and herbs. Versatile in shape, focaccia can be enjoyed alone or stuffed with various fillings like cold cuts, cheese, and veggies.

Fajita is a flavorful Tex-Mex delicacy that rose to fame in the 1970s. The treat normally consists of grilled meat, often beef, chicken, or shrimp, seasoned with various spices.

Customarily, fajitas are enjoyed by filling the tortillas with the meat and vegetable mixture and adding toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese.

Foie gras is a luxurious delicacy made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened.

It has a smooth, buttery texture with a decadent flavor, often described as a delicate blend of nutty and meaty tastes.

Traditionally served as a pâté, terrine, or pan-seared, foie gras is a staple in French cuisine.

Fufu is a West African dish made primarily from boiled and pounded starchy vegetables like yams, cassava, or plantains.

This dough-like food has a smooth, elastic texture and is typically served as a side dish. It’s eaten by pinching off small balls of fufu and dipping them into soups, stews, or sauces.

French onion soup, also known as soupe à l’oignon gratinée, is a timeless French classic.

It primarily features caramelized onions simmered in a hearty beef or chicken broth.

It is often served gratinéed, meaning that its traditional toppings are cheese-covered croutons or bread.

Fried Dough, also known as fry bread, is a simple yet delightful treat made from flattened dough fried until golden brown.

Often served as street food or at fairs, it’s crispy on the outside and soft inside.

People can sweeten fried dough with sugar, honey, or cinnamon, or top with savory ingredients like cheese or tomato sauce.

Frankfurter Würstchen, aka Frankfurt sausage, is a traditional type of German sausage made from smoked pork.

These thin, parboiled sausages are enhanced by a blend of spices, including pepper, garlic, and salt.

They are typically served hot and are often enjoyed with bread, mustard, and accompaniments like sauerkraut.

Fasnacht is a type of deep-fried doughnut commonly enjoyed on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins.

These doughnuts are typically made from a yeast dough, round in shape, and without a hole, sometimes filled with sweet ingredients. Fasnachts are known for their light, airy texture.

They are often associated with Swiss and German traditions.

Fritters are deep-fried food made by coating chunks or pieces of meat, seafood, vegetables, or fruit in a seasoned batter or breading.

They can range from savory to sweet, depending on the ingredients. They are good choices for snacks, appetizers, or side dishes.

Flan is a creamy, custard-based dessert with caramelized topping.

It is made from a blend of eggs, milk, and sugar, with additions like cheese or syrup for extra flavor.

The key to its velvety texture lies in baking it gently in a water bath, ensuring a bubble-free and silky treat.

Originating from Roman cuisine, it has become a popular dish in many countries, especially in Latin America and Europe.

Funnel cake is a deep-fried dessert with strong associations with Pennsylvania. A funnel cake is normally topped with powdered sugar, chocolate, whipped cream, etc. They are a child’s favorite treat.

Funnel cakes are prepared with everyday ingredients like flour, sugar, milk, baking soda, and eggs.

Its unique name traces back to its quirky cooking method – squeezing batter through a funnel into hot oil, creating a beautiful swirl.

Fruit salad is a refreshing and colorful dish made by combining various types of fresh fruits, often cut into bite-sized pieces.

Apples, bananas, berries, grapes, melons, oranges, and pineapples are some popularly used fruits.

Fruit salads are typically tossed in their natural juices, and sometimes a dressing made from citrus juice, honey, or yogurt is added for extra flavor.

This salad is a healthy dessert, a light snack, or a side dish.

Fudge is a well-loved American confection with a creamy texture.

It is made primarily from sugar, butter, and milk or cream, flavored with chocolate, vanilla, or nuts.

The mixture is heated to a soft-ball stage and then beaten as it cools, which results in a smooth, thick consistency.

It’s commonly cut into small squares for serving.

Fortune cookies are a sweet, crisp confection typically made from flour, sugar, vanilla, and sesame seed oil.

They are thin, lightly golden, folded into a half-moon with edges pinched together, with the paper fortune inside.

Originating from Chinese American cuisine, they are most famous for the small piece of paper inside, bearing a “fortune” or a vague prophecy.

Falooda is a traditional South Asian cold dessert.

It typically consists of sweet basil seeds, vermicelli noodles made from wheat or cornstarch, and a layer of ice cream or kulfi, and often garnished with pieces of jelly, fruits, and nuts.

Overall, falooda is a perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures.

Fish refers to aquatic animals used as food, including both freshwater and saltwater species, with over 20,000 species.

Common varieties include salmon, tuna, cod, tilapia, etc. Fish is a versatile ingredient, suitable for grilling, frying, baking, or poaching.

Beyond their ecological significance, fish are a nutritious food source, rich in protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Filet mignon is sourced from the smaller end of a beef tenderloin or pork tenderloin.

Renowned for its buttery texture and mild flavor, it’s one of the most sought-after steak cuts.

filet mignon is best enjoyed grilled or pan-seared and typically requires minimal seasoning to highlight its natural, delicate taste.

Frog legs are edible hind legs of certain frog species, particularly famous in French and Southeast Asian cuisines.

The meat of frog legs is delicate with a tender texture and flavor often likened to chicken with a subtle hint of fish.

Frog legs are typically prepared by grilling, sautéing, or deep-frying. They are often served as a gourmet appetizer or main course.

Farfalle is a type of Italian pasta also known as bow-tie or butterfly pasta.

This pasta pairs well with various sauces, from light olive oil-based to richer cream-based ones.

It’s also a popular choice in pasta salads.

Plus, they are easily found in supermarkets globally.

Fromage frais is a soft, fresh cheese originating from France.

Often compared to yogurt due to its consistency and taste, it has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor.

Fromage frais is used in both sweet and savory dishes. You can enjoy it on its own or as a substitute for cream or yogurt in recipes.

Feta is a brined white cheese made from sheep’s milk or a blend of sheep and goat’s milk. It has a soft, slightly grainy texture and crumbles with ease.

Its flavor profile is between tangy, salty, mild, and sharp. It is ideal to add to your sandwich, omelet, or grilled dish, or serve the cheese with olives, olive oil, and aromatic spices (such as oregano).

Feta cheese is a low-calorie, low-fat cheese with an impressive amount of B vitamins and calcium.

Fennel is a layered, bulbous vegetable with a distinct anise-like flavor.

The stalks of the fennel are robust and firm, with golden blooms and feathery leaves. Their bulb is crunchy and can be consumed raw or cooked.

The entire plant, including its seeds, is edible.

Fava beans (or broad beans and faba beans) are large, flat, green legumes that grow in pods.

You can crunch this versatile ingredient in its raw form into salads or harness the power of dried beans in hearty dishes like falafel, soups, or stews.

Known for their buttery, nutty flavor, these beans are a superb source of many nutrients.

Fiddleheads are the furled fronds of a young fern, harvested for use as a vegetable. They are named for their unique shape, which resembles the scrolled top of a violin, or “fiddle.”

In appearance, fiddleheads are small, tightly coiled spirals with a bright green color. They have a crisp and tender texture.

The taste of fiddleheads is often described as a cross between asparagus, young spinach, and artichoke, with a slightly grassy and nutty flavor.

Fenugreek is a plant known for its culinary versatility.

Its leaves, sprouts, and seeds are used as herbs, vegetables, and spices, offering flavors from clover-like to a tangy, bitter, and maple-syrup mix.

Fenugreek is native to regions like the Mediterranean and India.

Figs are sweet, soft fruits with a unique, slightly chewy texture and an abundance of tiny seeds inside.

As they ripen, their green skin transforms into a lovely shade of purple or brown.

Figs are enjoyed for their natural sweetness, either fresh or dried. People also use them in cooking recipes.

Feijoa is an egg-shaped green fruit native to South America. While its creamy flesh is very sweet, the skin has a sour flavor.

It has a blend of notes of strawberries, guavas, and pineapples in each bite. The fruit’s flesh is juicy and jelly-like with a slightly grainy texture, surrounded by a thin, edible skin.

You can them raw or add in salads, jams, and desserts.

Flaxseeds are small seeds derived from the flax plant. These seeds can be consumed whole, ground into a meal, or pressed for oil.

They have a nutty flavor and are often added to foods like yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, and baked goods for a nutritional boost.

Their high fiber content also makes them popular as a digestive aid and for improving heart health.

Flour is a powder made by grinding raw grains, roots, beans, nuts, or seeds, with wheat being the most common source.

It’s a staple ingredient in many baking products. Flour is used for making bread, pastries, or as a thickener.