Our 25 BEST Mexican Appetizers! These recipes are totally mouthwatering and absolute crowd-pleasers from deep fried Chicharrones de Harina to chicken taquitos you are bound to find the perfect recipe to serve for Cinco de Mayo or any celebration.
First published April 15, 2002. Last updated April 5, 2023.
Whether you are looking for something (or a few things) to serve your guests for a Cinco de Mayo celebration, Mother’s Day appetizers, graduation party nibbles, or little bites to bring to a picnic we have you covered!
This selection of Mexican appetizers go way beyond taco dip with tortilla chips. We are talking real-deal Mexican dishes. They are delicious appetizer recipes that are full of Mexican flavors and are great for any occasion—with many vegan and gluten-free options. Scroll down and pick out a few to try then let me know in the comments which one was your favorite!
Fast & Easy Mexican Appetizers
Chicharrones de Harina
Bring a taste of Mexico home with these authentic homemade Chicharrones de Harina, the favorite Mexican street food snack. Deep fried and doused in hot sauce or chili powder and lime these vegan snacks are irresistible and so easy to make at home.
Charred Salsa Verde
Mexican salsa verde made with charred tomatillos, onions, and chiles is so fast to make just stick the veggies under the broiler then blend—that’s it!
Mexican Cheese Board
No more cheese boards filled with the same ‘ol thing – here are the best Mexican cheeses, snacks, jams, nuts, fruits with so many cheese options it makes your head spin. Also this post has lots of wine and beer pairings too.
Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas with Coconut and Lime
A super easy, ultra healthy shrimp ceviche tostada recipe with fresh squeezed lime juice, coconut milk, chiles, cilantro, and thinly sliced scallions. Serve on bite-size tostada shells for an easy appetizer. This is one of our favorite Mexican appetizer recipes.
Roasted Hatch Green Chile Salsa
This simple, healthy salsa made with Hatch green chiles is the perfect thing to make when you’re in a rush, just broil and blend! It’s tangy and tart without being too spicy—although you could definitely up the spice level if you want.
Make-Ahead Mexican Appetizers
Citrus Seafood Ceviche
Tons of citrus, avocado, and serrano chiles make this Seafood Ceviche Recipe perfect for an impressive appetizer at your next Mexican-inspired feast. The seafood needs to marinate in the lime juice so make the morning of the party then take it out of the refrigerator when you’re ready to serve.
Cheddar Bacon Jalapeño Poppers
The ultimate finger food, these Jalapeño Poppers are filled with aged cheddar, cream cheese, crisp bacon, and green onions then topped with bread crumbs and baked until melting and golden. Prep the poppers in advance then bake and serve with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing.
Spicy Chile de Árbol Salsa
Homemade Chile de Árbol Salsa using dried chile de árbol peppers, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. This spicy Mexican salsa is simple and easy and makes a fiery dip. Make up to 3 days in advance!
Pickled Jalapeños with Goat Cheese
Pickled Jalapeños with Goat Cheese take ripe jalapenos and pickle them with vinegar and spices, then stuff them with creamy goat cheese. These take a bit of time to make but will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. Then are ready to enjoy when you are!
Shrimp Aguachile Verde
Shrimp Aguachile Verde is one of Mexico’s most delicious seafood dishes. This no-cook appetizer takes raw shrimp and marinates them in a spicy mixture of serrano peppers, lime juice, and cucumber. Make anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours in advance (depending on how firm you like your shrimp). Serve with tostadas for a refreshing appetizer recipe.
Heavy Mexican Appetizers
3-Ingredient Pork Flautas
These flautas are filled with roast pork. Use chopped pork roast or shredded pork (a great way to use up leftovers). They are perfect for parties, serve with shredded lettuce and sour cream on top. The entire recipe uses only three ingredients.
Baked Mexican Street Corn Queso Dip
This Mexican Street Corn Queso Dip baked in a pumpkin is our new go-to appetizer for entertaining. Creamy, cheesy corn with layers of spice is delicious and adorable too!
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamaica Mole
This creamy chicken enchilada recipe covered with a dried hibiscus or jamaica mole sauce is a celebratory dish when you want to serve something a bit more substantial.
Carne Asada Sopes with Avocado
Everything you need to know about making the BEST Mexican sopes! This easy sopes recipe is topped with grilled carne asada, ripe avocado, and queso fresco.
Chicken Flautas Mexicanas
Flautas Mexicanas or Authentic Mexican Flautas filled with shredded chicken and fried until golden brown and crisp. Serve over shredded lettuce with queso fresco and pico de gallo for a Mexican appetizer everyone loves.
Vegan Mexican Appetizers
Vegan Ceviche with Avocado and Lime
A very good vegan ceviche recipe with creamy avocado, small bites of cauliflower, chile, tomato, and cucumber soaked in loads of lime and toasted cumin. Serve with tortilla or pita chips.
Spicy marinated olives with Roasted Garlic and Herbs
This quick recipe for Spicy Marinated Olives is an easy vegan appetizer with pan-roasted cloves of garlic, arbol chiles, and loads of fresh herbs. Use green or black olives, or both. Serve warm or room temperature with slices of baguette.
Fiery Habanero Tomatillo Salsa
If you like spicy, this vegan salsa is for you. This habanero salsa is not for wimps made with charred habanero chiles, onions, and tomatillos it will warm you from the inside out. Serve on its own with chips or as a dip for chicken quesadillas.
Chili Lime Roasted Peanuts
These vegan chili lime roasted peanuts are tossed in an addictive mixture of chili, fresh lime zest, turbinado sugar, and salt then roasted to a golden brown. These are also incredible on top of salads.
Classic Guacamole + Homemade Tortilla Chips
This recipe will teach you how to make guacamole with 6 simple ingredients, plus how to make homemade tortilla chips. Both are so simple and delicious and vegan! For the more adventurous crowd, try my Smoky Chipotle Guacamole.
Gluten-Free Mexican Appetizers
Sweet Potato Nachos with Black Beans and Smoked Cheddar
The nachos to end all nachos…the most epic gluten-free Sweet Potato Nachos recipe ever! With just 4 ingredients and a quick blitz under the broiler, this healthier nacho recipe will be ready in minutes. Full of flavor and melted cheese and perfect as an easy appetizer. Serve with cold glasses of Creamy Horchata!
Warm Black Bean Dip with Feta
The best warm refried bean dip ever! Black beans and salsa topped with crumbled feta cheese and baked in the oven until bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips, carrot sticks, halved radishes, and pretzels.
Roasted Mushroom & Goat Cheese Gorditas
This Mexican gorditas recipe can be stuffed with any filling (this ground beef picadillo is another favorite) you’d like but we are especially fond of this roasted mushroom, refried bean, and goat cheese combo. They will definitely be the hit at your party! Gluten-free and vegetarian.
Charred Poblano Guacamole
Homemade guacamole with a twist! This Charred Poblano Guacamole has all the creamy avocado goodness you love plus charry bits of poblano pepper and jalapeños that takes it to a whole new level of delicious. Great for parties. Vegan and gluten-free! Awesome on its own, or serve with Steak Fajitas.
Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa
A simple (and simply addictive) tomatillo avocado salsa with raw tomatillos, ripe avocados, and serrano pepper, blended until smooth and creamy, ready in 10 minutes! The perfect gluten-free appetizer for any get together.
Even More Mexican Appetizers To Explore!
- Doritos-Flavored Duros de Harina {Mexican Chips}
- Homemade Salsa Ranchera
- Spicy Salsa Macha Recipe
- Smoky Chipotle Guacamole Recipe
- Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa
- Chilled Avocado Soup
- Easy Chamoy Sauce Recipe
Did someone say Fiesta?
Which recipe are you going to try first? I want to know which one is jumping out at you. Snap a pic of your dish me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below (don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating) ! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!
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