I’ve gathered 40 of the very best Cinco de Mayo appetizers in one place, and I’m just a little bit giddy about it. Every single one is easy and totally delicious, and each is somehow even more irresistible than the last. Grab a margarita and let’s get this fiesta started.
1. Grilled Chicken Fajitas on a Stick
Warm, delicious food on skewers is ideal for parties. They're easy to make, take minimal time, and don't leave much mess.
These fajitas are an excellent idea for Cinco de Mayo. They're festive, and they taste phenomenal. The chicken is spicy, smoky, and savory, and the veggies are yummy, too.
2. Mexican Street Corn Salsa
Of course, if wonton cups aren’t your thing, you can serve chips and salsa instead. Mexican street corn salsa is sweet, spicy, and tangy in all the best ways.
It perfectly combines elote’s spicy sweetness with salsa’s freshness. Serve it with fresh tortillas, and your guests will love it.
3. Mexican Pinwheels
Mexican pinwheels are soft, creamy, and full of cheese, chicken, and spices. The fresh taste of cilantro pairs nicely with the richness of the other ingredients. Plus, there's no cooking involved, so you can have these ready in 15 minutes without turning on a kitchen appliance.
4. Strawberry Pico de Gallo
Pico de Gallo is usually a spicy, salsa-like dish with tomatoes, onions, and peppers. I like it on tacos, nachos, and even over salad.
But have you ever tried a sweet version? This delicious condiment with fresh strawberries, for example!
It's still savory and spicy, but it's also sweet. Oh, and it looks incredible.
5. Healthy Mexican Street Corn Recipe (Off the Cob)
This off-the-cob Mexican corn recipe is pretty similar to the salsa above. It's creamy and cool, not to mention effortless to make.
Unsurprisingly, you won't find many folks who don't love it. It features fewer fresh veggies than salsa, focusing more on the corn instead. That makes it a little sweeter.
6. Easy Beef Empanadas
Do you love beef empanadas but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? Then you need to try these incredible, easy beef empanadas.
They're delicious and straightforward to make – all you need are a few ingredients and about 40 minutes. When they're baked, they'll turn a gorgeous, golden-brown color and will melt in your mouth at first bite.
7. Crock-Pot Margarita Chicken Dip
This thick, creamy dip combines cream cheese, Monterey Jack, chicken, and more. You’ll add all your favorite parts of Mexican cuisine into a Crock-Pot for this one.
And yes, that includes tequila! The result is a rich, savory, garlicky dip that’s hard to describe but easy to enjoy.
8. Individual Seven-Layer Dips
Seven-layer dip is a pretty standard appetizer for any occasion. So why mess with a classic?
That said, why not make the dip in individual servings instead of one large bowl? After the last couple of years, I think plenty of people would be grateful for the effort.
9. Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
You might know it better as salsa verde. This version is robust and smoky, with an earthy character that’s usually gentler than classic red salsas and a brighter, herbier personality.
The real magic? You can pull it together in under 30 minutes using fewer than ten ingredients.
10. Loaded Taco Nachos
These loaded nachos will be a hit at your Cinco de Mayo party. Topped with well-seasoned, juicy beef, cheese, onions, lettuce, and more, they'll be gobbled up before you know it.
And you can change up the toppings however you like. Basically, if you enjoy it on a taco, you can add it to these nachos.
11. Sweet Churro Chex Mix Party Snack
It's an appetizer! It's a dessert!
No, wait! It's… Churro Chex!
Sorry guys, I'm a big Superman fan! The description fits, though, because this is a super snack.
It's crunchy, cinnamony, salty, and sweet. It's a hellaciously addictive appetizer that everyone keeps going back for.
12. Pico De Gallo Salsa
We all love pico de gallo, but we don't all know how to make it. Luckily, you can whip up the freshest, zestiest pico in just 15 minutes with this recipe.
Just be sure to let it sit for an hour before serving it. That gives all the flavors time to reach their peak yumminess.
13. Easy Avocado Egg Rolls
Egg rolls usually lean more Asian, but stuff them with creamy avocado and serve them alongside a fresh cilantro dipping sauce and suddenly they’re right at home on a Cinco de Mayo spread. You can absolutely call these Mexican egg rolls.
14. Loaded Veggie Nachos
Let’s finish off our list with another one for my vegetarian pals because these loaded veggie nachos have it all. You’ll load those crunchy chips up with salsa, avocado dip, feta cheese, veggies, and more.
As with all nachos recipes, there’s no limit to the things you can add. So, start throwing stuff on – whatever feels right!
15. Queso-Filled Mini Peppers
You're not alone if you find chips and dip too messy for large crowds. Lots of people prefer finger-food-friendly appetizers that they can mingle with.
But what Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without queso?! Luckily, you can enjoy creamy queso in a simple, easy-to-eat package with this recipe.
16. Roasted Poblano Queso Fundido
This appetizer isn’t the prettiest one on the list. It tastes outrageously good, though.
Cheesy, peppery, and fresh, it’s hard not to love. It’s somehow smoky, rich, warm, and zesty all at once. And if you've never tried poblanos, it's the ideal intro to these insanely tasty peppers.
17. Chunky Peach Salsa
Peach salsa is a little sweeter than pineapple salsa, but it retains that beautiful freshness. It's chunky, cool, and has an almost minty aftertaste that's hard to describe.
If you're a fan of sweeter salsas, you'll love it. That said, if you're new to the world of sweet salsas, you might want to start with something a little less fruity.
18. Layered Nacho Dip
This dip doesn’t have as many layers as the one above. It does have a lot more cheese, though. So, if you're on the hunt for something creamy, cheesy, totally indulgent, you’ve just found it.
19. Sweet Potato Sausage Cheese Balls with Chorizo
These are a sweeter, more cinnamony take on traditional sausage balls. They’re thick, succulent, and cheesy.
Furthermore, the sweet and sour marmalade sauce complements them perfectly. It has just enough kick to be noticeable and is incredibly flavorful.
20. 5 Ingredient Chipotle Chicken Taquitos
A great appetizer, if you ask me, has to be quick and practically effortless. These chipotle chicken taquitos deliver on both counts, using only five ingredients and coming together in 25 minutes flat.
They’re crunchy and cheesy, with just the right kiss of heat. Set them out with an array of toppings and your work is done.
21. Pepperoni Pizza Pockets
I know, I know: strictly speaking, pizza pockets aren’t Mexican appetizers. Still, who doesn’t love a warm pocket of dough filled with gooey cheese, pepperoni, and sausage?
I know I do! And with a side of avocado crema or chunky guacamole, I think they'll fit right in.
22. Mini Green Chile Cheesy Bean Taquitos
These little taquitos are shatteringly crunchy outside, warm and soft inside. With fewer than ten ingredients, they’re vegetarian and totally crowd-pleasing.
Line up some toppings or dunk them in your favorite sauce. They’re guaranteed to disappear fast.
23. Watermelon Salsa
Here's another sweet and spicy salsa that takes 10 minutes to make. It's sweet and fruity with strawberries, watermelon, honey, and lime.
But don't worry, it's not all sweet! The jalapeño, cilantro, onions, and basil help to balance it all out.
24. Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers
These 30-minute jalapeño poppers are cheesy, garlicky, and devilishly spicy. The panko breadcrumb topping is divine, and the cilantro adds a terrific freshness. Plus, the green onion cream cheese mixture is superb.
25. Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos With Cabbage Slaw
Looking for a shrimp taco recipe that's out of this world? How about these chili-lime and shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw?
They’re a delicious and easy upgrade to fish tacos. The zesty chili lime sauce pairs perfectly with the shrimp and cabbage. And they're pretty stunning to boot.
26. Southwestern Black Bean Salad
When you’re craving something chunky and hearty that isn’t another bowl of salsa, this one’s for you. The black bean salad is cool and refreshing, packed with straight-from-the-garden flavor. Corn, black beans, scallions, tomatoes, and a few other goodies make it a vitamin-packed powerhouse, too.
27. Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
You'll only need five ingredients for the core of these nachos. Everything else (the toppings) is up to your discretion.
Feel free to go as simple or elaborate as you like. After all, that's the beauty of nachos; they're entirely customizable!
Top Tip: Assemble only the necessary ingredients. Then, spread out all the possible toppings along a table to make a nacho bar.
28. Shrimp Tostadas
Don't you just love a good food mashup? (If you don't, this may not be the recipe for you.
Shrimp tostadas are a fun and easy twist on the classic Mexican dish. You'll start with a golden, baked tortilla cup, which you'll load up with cooling guacamole and spicy shrimp.
29. Mexican Street Corn Wonton Salad Cups
Pizza cups and taco cups have nothing on these Mexican street corn cups! Easy to make and perfect for parties, they're also vegetarian-friendly if that's your thing.
The super crunchy wonton shell is terrific against the creamy filling. So get ready to wow your guests with this fun and delicious appetizer!
30. Pineapple Salsa
Fruit-based salsas can be easy to dismiss if you've never tried them. Many people assume they'll be too sweet to pair with cheese, chicken, or fish.
But believe it or not, they're pretty terrific. This one is crisp, refreshing, and a bit tropical. It's a mild salsa without much heat, but the flavor is on point.
31. Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins (Vegan and Gluten Free)
Think loaded potato skins, but swap in sweet potatoes and a colorful pile of fresh veggies for something even better. They’re vegan and gluten free, bursting with flavor from a zippy aioli, spicy chili, and luxurious vegan cheese. And honestly, if you keep quiet, no one will guess how wholesome they actually are.
32. Cowboy Caviar
This recipe for cowboy caviar will make you tip your hat and yell “Yee Haw!” It's that good. It doesn't matter if you're a true vaquero or a Billy Crystal City Slicker.
This tangy, veggie-packed dip will have you ready to lasso a bull. It's fresh, invigorating, and spectacularly flavorful. Plus, it takes just 20 minutes to whip up!
33. Avocado Scallop Ceviche
Ceviche is a popular dish that originated in Peru. It typically consists of raw seafood marinated in citrus juices.
This ceviche is no exception, though it has a few more ingredients. You’ll add avocados to give it a creamy texture and grape tomatoes for extra juiciness.
34. Mexican-Style Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
If you prefer shrimp to scallops, you might want to use this ceviche recipe instead. It calls for many of the same ingredients and has the same bright, zesty flavor.
Honestly, I can't tell much difference between the two. They're both refreshing, cool, and umami-packed.
35. Jalapeno Popper Dip
Use this recipe if you prefer dips to poppers. It uses many of the same ingredients as the one above and features the same great taste.
The only difference is that this one comes in dip form. Oh, and it's a tiny bit hotter. It’s still just as yummy, though!
36. Mexican Spice Cheese Crackers
Want to turn ordinary Cheez-Its
37. Chile Relleno Dip
Do you love the contrast between crunchy toppings and creamy centers? Are you a fan of cheese, peppers, and corn?
If your answer to both was yes, you'll love chile Relleno dip. In fact, it's so good that you'll love it even if you answered no. So give it a try; you'll be glad you did.
38. Mexican Street Corn Dip (Hot Corn Dip)
Close your eyes and picture the sweet, spicy, tangy magic of elote. Now imagine all of that goodness scooped up as a warm, cheesy dip.
Absolute heaven in a bowl, I’m telling you. Serve it with chips, warm tortillas, or crisp veggies. It doesn’t matter, because everyone will be scraping the dish clean.
39. Chicken Enchilada Roll-Ups
Call them pinwheels, roll-ups, or wraps. Either way, these Cinco de Mayo appetizers are perfect for any occasion.
You'll stuff them with cheese, chicken, garlic, and more, making them soft, creamy, and fantastically flavorful. Did I mention you can whip up 80 of these bad boys in just 15 minutes?
40. Layered Taco Dip
You'll find plenty of layered taco dip recipes online. But if you want a vegetarian-friendly one, look no further because this one is for you. It features layer upon layer of refried beans, cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and more.