25 Easy Mexican Appetizers

We love Mexican! If you are hungry, there is no better choice. The beauty of Mexican is that there are lots of little bits that you can pick at. Spicy and delicious? Yes, please! Today we are going to run through a list of 25 Mexican appetizers. Have a browse through and see if you can find a miniature version of one of your favorite Mexican dishes.

Best Mexican Appetizers

1. Jalapeno Popper Dip

Creamy, cheesy, and a little bit crunchy! This dip is like a smooth version of jalapeno poppers. We make it using cream cheese, strong cheddar, and a decent number of jalapenos. We add some panko breadcrumbs to give the same taste as breaded poppers. If you want all the taste of jalapeno poppers, but also something you can serve with other foods, this dip is absolutely ideal.

2. Jalapeno Poppers

Ok, so you aren’t interested in a dip. You want the real thing? This recipe is the answer. These little poppers are crunchy and pretty spicy.

We used to serve them at dinner parties, but by the time we’d got back from the kitchen, they’d be all gone. Serve them with a cool sour cream dressing or smooth guacamole. They make the perfect finger food for movie nights too! Don’t eat too many or you’ll be regretting it the next day! 

3. Nachos Supreme

We aren’t talking boring nachos. This is next-level stuff. If we had to pick two words to describe these nachos, we’d say ‘fully loaded’. Why?

They are jam-packed with delicious flavors. Savory (and slightly crispy) beef, sharp cheese, smooth beans, and juicy tomatoes.

We love that this is a ‘make and forget’ recipe. Assemble it, stick it in the oven, and you are good to go. This is ideal for feeding a large crowd, especially if you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen.

4. Deep-Fried Guac

There’s never a time when we won’t get stuck into a bowl of creamy guacamole.

Well, it is just got even better. If you are looking for something that has all the texture and convenience of jalapeno poppers without the spice, then you are in the right place. It’s really Mexican too!

The crispy exterior isn’t boring old panko breadcrumbs! Oh no! We make it super taste by using crushed corn tortilla chips. We deep fry small balls of guac until they are golden brown globes of perfection. Crispy and creamy, where do we sign?

5. Chicken Taquitos

For those who speak a little Spanish, you’ll undoubtedly know that taquitos loosely translates to ‘little tacos’. Now tell us what the Spanish is for ‘completely delicious’.

The only downside to this dish is that you will likely wish that you had made a full-sized version. We like to deep fry our taquitos until they are golden and crispy, but if you choose, you can oven bake them as a (slightly) healthier alternative.

Don’t skip the traditional Mexican toppings! 

6. Refried Bean Dip

We couldn’t bring you a list of 25 Mexican appetizers without giving the nod to the humble refried bean. It features in practically every Mexican recipe.

For them to taste nice, you’ve got to treat them right. Be sure to add plenty of lime juice, cumin, and Mexican spice to elevate this dish to the next level. The best bit? It will only take you a couple of minutes to prepare!

7. Chipotle Black Bean Soup

If you are serving this as a Mexican starter, we’ve got one key piece of advice. Don’t serve too much, or you’ll be full way before you start the main course.

This dish is dark, delicious, and really hearty. It might not be the most visually appealing (even though it is delicious), so we like to ‘pimp’ ours up by adding a splash of color in the form of a few slices of bright green avocado and a sprinkling of cilantro leaves.

8. Jalapeno Corn Cakes

These are a little similar to cornbread. The golden yellow kernels of corn and the spice of the jalapenos make a really flavorful combination.

While we make this as a Mexican starter, we invariably make just a little too much. Why? They are great to take cold for a lunchtime snack when you are working the next day.

The key to this recipe is to use plenty of butter and make sure that you accompany them with a nice creamy dip.

9. Chicken Quesadillas

Ok, guys, we get it. Sometimes you just don’t have time to be spending hours slaving away in the kitchen. Well, here is the answer.

This recipe has only four ingredients and can be ready in about the same amount of time that it takes to do the dishes. What’s not to love?

We make ours in a frying pan, but if you want to do a super low workload version, you can also put them in the oven and cook a few. In fact, you can even assemble these and freeze them for cooking at a later date!

10. Taco Dip 

No, this isn’t a dip made with tacos. It’s a dip made for tacos. We love this recipe as it is very easy to make. It goes something like this. Assemble the ingredients… Refried beans, cream cheese, tomatoes, salsa, peppers, and onions in a dish… And then eat it! Simple, right? We include black olives too, but this is entirely optional as we know not everyone loves an olive (what is wrong with you?).

11. Spicy Chicken Empanadas 

Empanadas do take a little work, but the good news is after you have done the prep, you can just whack these little Mexican hand pies in the oven and then forget about them.

The trick to getting a good empanada is to roll the simple dough until it is as thin as possible. We sometimes recruit the kids when we are making them and get a little production line going.

These crisp pastries are filled with a mixture of Mexican spiced chicken, chopped hard-boiled egg, and a few plump and juicy raisins. If you’ve made too much filling, don’t worry, it is great as a dish on its own.

12. Qdoba Queso

Cheesy, spicy, and really tasty. We find that the easiest way to make this cheesy tomato dip is in the microwave. Add your ingredients (don’t forget the cream) and give it a ping for a couple of minutes just before serving. It isn’t waistline-friendly, but when it tastes this good, who cares?

13. Chicken Chimichangas

If you are making these as a starter, we’d suggest making miniature versions. They are the perfect finger food.

These little chewy parcels are jam-packed with flavor. Chicken on its own can get a little dry. That’s why we include thick and oozy layers of melted cheese and a little sour cream. The trick with chimichangas is to avoid over baking them.

That way, these tasty pastry parcels stay ever so slightly soft and chewy.

14. Rajas Con Crema

If you don’t know what ‘con crema’ means, let us enlighten you, as it tells you all you need to know about this dish… “With cream”.

This dish is so simple to make and can be whipped up with very few commonly held ingredients. Essentially, onions are sweated down until soft and juicy, then combined with thick cream and a generous helping of cheese.

It is the perfect snack to serve with tortilla chips or a simple Mexican tortilla. Easy and delicious.

15. Burritos 

Surprisingly we haven’t featured much spicy Mexican beef on our list. Well, don’t worry, that’s all about to change.

These little parcels are stuffed with spoonfuls of spicy beef, a little cheese, and refried beans. It’s basically the taste of Mexico all wrapped up in one easy to handle package! Here’s a top tip.

Once you’ve opened your pack of tortillas, make sure you keep them covered with a  damp tea towel; that way, they don’t dry out and crack if you are taking your time spooning in the filling!

16. Mexican Corn Dip

Corn is a staple in Mexico, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t include it in our list of 25 Mexican appetizers. This has all the taste and charm of elote but is nowhere near as messy to eat. It is full of Mexican flavor. Crunchy kernels of sweetcorn, creamy mayonnaise, lime juice. Cilantro and chili!

While we serve this dish as a dip, we have also been known to make extra and serve it as a Mexican side dish, or even dig into a bowl all on its own!

17. Black Bean Dip

If you are looking for a Mexican appetizer that looks a little bit classy and is really easy to make, this could be the one. It will take you all of five minutes to prepare.

Black beans aren’t always the most ‘jazzy’ of foods, so they will need a little help. We use garlic, lime, and spicy peppers to bring this dish to the next level. 

18. Flautas

This is perhaps our favorite Mexican appetizer. If you haven’t had flautas before, then you are in for a treat. Want to know what they are (apart from amazing)?

Essentially they are thin crispy tortillas stuffed with spicy meat and cheese before being fried to crisp and golden brown perfection.

They are a little fiddly to make but trust us, it is well worth it. Because they are fried, they are quite rigid, which makes them perfect for plunging into one of the dips we have mentioned above.

19. Tamale Pie Dip

We love a cheesy chicken tamale, so we thought we’d get all the taste while making it into a tasty dip! Aside from chicken, you’ll find creamy cheese, golden kernels of sweetcorn, sour cream, garlic, and chili. It is perfect for serving with something crisp and tasty.

A simple plate of nachos should do it. For the ultimate Mexican taste sensation, combine these with jalapeno poppers for a dish to die for.

20. Homemade Tortilla Chips

This is ideal if you’ve got a few too many tortillas. The good news is it takes about 15 minutes to make. It’s a refined version of normal tortillas and will have your guests cooing with delight and begging you for the recipe! We bake ours to make them even healthier!… The tortillas, not our guests.

21. Elote

Let’s go back to basics. Elote is real Mexican street food. For those of you who haven’t tried it, essentially, it is corn on the cob, Mexican style.

The normal cooking method is to grill the corn and then top it with lashings of butter, creamy mayonnaise, cheese, and powdered chili. We love to finish ours with a small squeeze of lime juice for a flavor contrast. Serve this dish with napkins as it can get a little messy.

22. Peach and Strawberry Salsa

All that corn, ground beef, and creamy cheese can get a little heavy, so allow us to suggest something a little lighter. This dish is crisp, summery, and a little tangy. It works really well to lighten up any main dish as it provides quite a contrast of flavor that cuts through heavier food.

Think of it a little like tomato salsa, but instead of tomatoes, we use fresh fruit. The best thing is that if you have any leftovers, it is absolutely heavenly with a large dollop of fresh yogurt. Mexican for breakfast? Oh, go on then!

23. Chicken Enchilada Dip

There are plenty of Mexican dishes that can be made into a dip. The beauty of these recipes is that you get all of the taste without any of the hassles. Assemble the ingredients, bake and go! This dip is unreal. Thick layers of shredded chicken, oozy melted cheese, and green chilies. Fiery and delicious.

24. Jicama Fries

If you are looking for a healthy version of French fries, this is the answer. Jacamo fries have all the crunch, with a hint of sweetness and much fewer calories. They are super easy to make, and jicama keeps all of its crunch, so making them is a breeze.

25. Salsa Verde

Green salsa is classically Mexican. Our secret to making this recipe special? Use a blender. Its saves a lot of time and mess. You’ll be plunging tortilla chips into this tomatoey spicy dip in next to no time. Cilantro haters need not apply.

Conclusion

There we go! Our list of 25 Mexican appetizers. Dips, chips, and so much more! Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!