Mexican food is known for its bold flavors and vibrant colors, and its appetizers are no exception. From classic dishes like guacamole and chips to more unique creations like queso fundido and taquitos, there’s something for everyone on this list of 35+ Mexican appetizers.

Whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo party or simply looking for some delicious finger food to enjoy with friends, these recipes are sure to please. So gather your ingredients and get ready to taste the flavors of Mexico!

These recipes are all super delicious, and loved worldwide!

So, if you’re enjoying a Mexican meal at home, why not add on one of these amazing appetizers?

Here are some handy tips for making Mexican appetizers:

Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. This will ensure that your appetizers taste their best.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors. Mexican cuisine is all about bold flavors, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

PS – Be sure to check out these Mexican Desserts, Mexican Breads, and Mexican Beef Recipes to round out your meal too!

The BEST Mexican Appetizers

This fresh and vibrant Guacamole recipe is so easy! Mix it up in minutes for a creamy dip, a delicious topping for nachos, or to serve on Taco Tuesday.

Homemade Guacamole

These Baked Tortilla Chips are made using store-bought corn tortillas. Just cut them into wedges, season them with Mexican spices, spray with oil and bake for a perfectly crispy, dippable chip!

Baked Tortilla Chips

Octopus Ceviche (aka ceviche de pulpo) combines tender octopus with tangy lime juice, red onions, cilantro and chiles for a light and refreshing appetizer. Serve it with tortillas or chips and enjoy!

Octopus Ceviche

Extreme close up of tortilla chips in air fryer basket.

These 3-ingredient Air Fryer Tortilla Chips are quick and easy to make, super crunchy, and light. They’re perfect for dunking in salsa, guacamole, hummus, and more!

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

Bowl of chipotle salsa in serving tray with chips and limes.

This 5-Minute Chipotle Salsa comes together easily with the help of your blender. It's a great sauce for tacos or dip for tortilla chips!

5 Minute Chipotle Salsa

This fresh, easy Pico de Gallo recipe is a classic Mexican salsa made from tomatoes, onions, lime, chiles, and cilantro. It’s a delicious snack to enjoy with chips or as a topping on tacos, eggs, and burrito bowls!

Pico de Gallo

Corn Queso Dip is the perfect dip for your next Mexican fiesta or tailgating party. It’s deliciously rich & creamy with a hint of spice and delicious corn flavor.

Corn Queso Dip

Albondigas in blue bowl topped with sour cream and jalapenos.

Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

Spanish Meatballs

SIDE VIEW OF ENCHILADA DIP IN LARGE SKILLET.

Take your snacking to the next level with this Cheesy Enchilada Dip. Beans are layered with ground beef and enchilada sauce, and topped with lots of melty cheese, green onions and a dollop of sour cream.

Cheesy Enchilada Dip

This sweet Mango Salsa has tons of flavor and flair! The bursts of acidity and brightness from the juicy fresh mangos, jalapeno, lime juice, and red onion are delicious with tortilla chips or on fish tacos.

Mango Salsa

These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Pineapple salsa served in fresh pineapple bowl.

This Easy Pineapple Salsa is light and fresh with just a hint of heat. It makes an amazing dip for chips but is also amazing as a topping for grilled fish or pork tacos!

Easy Pineapple Salsa

Flautas Ahogadas are crunchy rolled tacos immersed in a flavorful salsa and topped with all-time favorites. Get to know this iconic dish and make it at home.

Flautas Ahogadas (Mexican Drowned Tacos)

This super easy frijoles con elote recipe is so simple and delicious! Creamy refried beans combined with corn and chilies make the perfect treat for game days.

Frijoles Con Elote

Crispy store-bought tostada shells and canned refried beans make this chorizo tostada recipe a total cinch! Quick, delicious and oh-so-good.

Tostadas (with chorizo and beans)

Melty cheese, perfectly spicy chorizo, and green chilis all come together to make this Queso Fundido your new favorite recipe.

Queso Fundido

Mexican Corn on the cob with cheese, mayo and Latin spices makes the best summer food! Enjoy this Mexican street food anytime with this easy recipe!

Mexican Street Corn

Crunchy, salty, and spicy, my easy recipe for Vegan Sheet Pan Nachos is fully loaded and great for a Game Day.

Vegan Sheet Pan Nachos

These taco stuffed peppers are an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious dinner on the table in no time!

Taco Stuffed Peppers

These gluten-free chicken taquitos are delicious dipped in your favourite salsa or guacamole. Corn tortillas are stuffed with a spiced chicken and cheese filling, then baked or air fried until crisp.

Chicken Taquitos

Taco Pinwheels are a simple recipe that are perfect for a dinner at home or an easy appetizer to share with family and friends.

Taco Pinwheels

Switching up everyone’s favorite cheesy dip with these baked Queso Fundido Taquitos with a salted avocado lime crema. A perfect appetizer for any party!

Queso Fundido Taquitos

Taco Stuffed Avocados with Chipotle Sauce and Cilantro Lime Ranch are delicious and super creative appetizers that everyone will love. Let me tell you, a loaded taco avocado will make your night!

Taco Stuffed Avocados

Slow cooked chicken, braised in cider beer, chipotle peppers, and enchilada sauce, then layered with tortilla chips, topped with two cheeses, baked in the oven until melty and perfect, and finished with avocado salsa.

Chipotle Braised Chicken Nachos

Elote, a popular Mexican street food made with grilled corn served with mayonnaise, cotija cheese and lime makes for Elote pizza recipe.

Elote Pizza

These Baked Jalapeño Poppers are easy to make, and they feed a crowd. They’re stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon!

Baked Jalapeno Poppers

Rajas con Crema is an easy Mexican dish that combines roasted poblano peppers with onions, Mexican cream, and melted cheese.

Rajas con Crema (Roasted Poblanos in Cream)

These Sheet Pan Quesadillas are loaded with veggies and gooey cheese, baked in the oven until crispy, and made to feed a crowd in just 30 minutes.

Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Soft flour tortillas get stuffed and rolled tight with a savory, cheesy filling packed with briny jalapeños, crisp bell peppers, and crunchy scallions. These antojitos or cheesy pinwheels are the perfect addition to an appetizer spread!

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Easy Black Bean Dip Recipe with hot cheese, sweet corn, green onions, and tomatoes perfect served with your favorite Mexican dishes or at your next bbq.

Black Bean Dip

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or shake up Taco Tuesday? Make this mini quesadillas for this quesadilla board!

Mexican Fiesta Grazing Board

All of the flavours of Mexican street corn (elote) in crispy, golden brown, bite sized fritters!

Mexican Street Corn Fritters

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad in bamboo cups, tossed up with a lime and cilantro dressing. and served in eco-friendly, small bamboo cups. The perfect party food that is delicious, easy to eat standing up!

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

These Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs are guaranteed to be the talk of your next gathering. All of the toppings create one amazing bite size appetizer!

Mexican Deviled Eggs

This 7 layer dip is very versatile and you can make substitutions depending on what ingredients you have on hand! The contrast of green, red, and white colors of guacamole and scallions, tomatoes, cream and cheese makes wonderful festive display.

7 Layer Mexican Dip

These Jicama Fries are healthy, baked in the oven, and made with only 5 simple ingredients! They’re gluten free, low carb, keto, paleo, and vegan.

Crispy Jicama Fries

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these Mexican appetizer recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Mexican Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Traditional Mexican Appetizers?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of Mexican starters. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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35+ Mexican Appetizers to Try!

Mexican food is known for its bold flavors and vibrant colors, and its appetizers are no exception. There's something for everyone on this list of 35+ Mexican appetizers. Try this fresh and vibrant Guacamole.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

Servings: 6 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

3 avocados (pitted and peeled)
1 Tablespoon lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 clove garlic (finely grated or minced)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 Roma tomatoes (seeded and diced)
¼ cup diced onion
1/2 jalapeno pepper (diced)
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro

Instructions

Add avocado, lime juice, garlic, salt and cumin to a medium bowl and mash using a fork or potato masher.
Fold in the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

To keep from browning – cover top of bowl with saran wrap and press down so that guac comes in contact with the saran wrap.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Potato Masher

Medium Bowl

Nutrition

35+ Mexican Appetizers (for Cinco de Mayo & More!)