25 Mexican Appetizers for Cinco de Mayo (and Beyond)
Easy, cheesy fiesta fare to share with a crowd.
There’s never a bad time for Mexican appetizers. We’re always craving fresh chunky salsa, impossibly creamy queso, and layers upon layers of nachos. Homemade guac is a frequent occurrence!
These easy appetizers satisfy every pre-dinner snacking need. Whether you prefer something fresh and cold or mini and melty, we have healthy appetizers (including vegetarian and gluten-free!) and decadent ones (behold, charred peppers with queso blanco) for your next party or Cinco de Mayo celebration. Ditch the forks and knives: These fun finger foods are meant to be enjoyed casually with a crowd. The only supplies you’ll need? A bag of crispy corn chips, of course.
What do you serve at a Cinco de Mayo party?
We prefer easy, Mexican-inspired snacks that you can make ahead of time and enjoy with all of your friends and family. Yes — all of these spicy, salty, addictive apps go well with margaritas. Try serving something cold if you’re hosting on a hot day. The Chilled Corn Soup and the Charred Salsa are zesty, refreshing options. For something heartier — perhaps made with ground beef — the Cheesy Beef Empanadas will fill you up and absolutely bring the house down. Make sure you serve a variety of vegan (yes, we have a recipe for vegan queso), vegetarian, and meaty options so that it’s truly a fiesta for all your friends. Oh, and make sure to stock up on avocados a few days in advance. You’ll want them to be ripe and just as guacamole-ready as you are.
Easy Red Salsa
Our new pre-party routine? Buy the chips, make the salsa.
Get the recipe for Easy Red Salsa »
RELATED: 21 Easy Taco Recipes for Cinco de Mayo (or Any Day)
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Inspired by the classic Mexican dish, these roasted cauliflower tacos paired with a colorful, crunchy taco slaw might be our new favorite taco recipe.
Avocado Dip
Charred poblanos, garlic, and jalapeño amp up the flavor of this zesty dip. Serve it with crudité (or totchos!) for a fiesta-friendly appetizer.
Vegan Queso
Talk about a crowd-pleaser: this creamy cheese dip is gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, and vegan.
Chicken Suizas Nachos
Salsa verde and sour cream tossed with shredded chicken creates a craveworthy twist on classic nachos. Top tip: toss the ingredients together instead of layering for the perfect bite every time!
Chilled Corn Soup
This elegant app showcases a staple of Mexican cuisine. Serve it in shooters for a fun party trick.
Charred Peppers With Queso Blanco
Who needs nachos when you have sweet and smoky peppers on a bed of creamy cheese, topped with crushed tortilla chips?
Chorizo Queso Potato Skins
Crispy potato skins make the perfect vessel for ooey, gooey cheese dip.
Charred Salsa
This party-favorite brings the heat and the smoke. Grilling the ingredients before blending creates a unique flavor.
Sheet Pan Nachos
Turns out the best way to make nachos is also the easiest. Our method ensures melty cheese and hot toppings for the perfect crispy bite.
Get the recipe for Sheet Pan Nachos »
RELATED: 51 Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
Smoky Guacamole
Try grilling your avocados for an unexpected take on a familiar fiesta snack.
Crispy Potatoes With Vegan Nacho Sauce
This crispy, creamy, comfort food is 100% vegan — thanks to the magic of raw unsalted cashews.
Tex-Mex Pizzettas
What happens when pizza meets tacos? These slightly spicy, flavor-packed party worthy appetizers.
BBQ Beef Nachos
We season ground beef with barbecue sauce to make this Cinco de Mayo staple finger lickin' good.
Mexican Grilled Corn
This classic Mexican street snack is easy to make at home: slather in sauce, roll in cheese, repeat.
Warm Cheddar Corn Dip
Melty Mexican cheese and sweet corn paired with Spicy Chipotle Ranch is a match made in flavor heaven.
Chunky Guacamole
No mortar and pestle needed! Keep the diced avocado intact for a rustic texture.
Chicken Taco Pizzas
The method behind this flavor madness? Two crowd favorites packed into one. Slice 'em into wedges for an easy party snack.
Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip
Celebrate this Mexican agricultural star with creamy cheese, fresh mint and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with tortilla chips for an extra hit of corn flavor.
Keto Queso Dip With Goat and Cheddar Cheese
Goat cheese gives this dip a tangy kick while cheddar keeps it sharp n' salty. Yep, two types of cheese is better than one.
Get the recipe for Keto Queso Dip With Goat and Cheddar Cheese »
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