Argument echoed outside area offering savoury snacks (5)
I believe the answer is:
tapas
'savoury snacks' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'argument echoed outside area' is the wordplay.
'argument' becomes 'spat' (a spat is a disagreement or argument).
'echoed' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (I've seen 'echoing' mean this (echo can mean to reflect or bounce back)).
'outside' indicates putting letters inside (some letters go outside others).
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'spat' written backwards gives 'taps'.
'taps' enclosing 'a' is 'TAPAS'.
'offering' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tapas that I've seen before include "The Spanish scoff" , "Mediterranean appetisers" , "snack" , "Spanish appetiser" , "Pasta (anag) - Spanish bar food" .)