30 Latin Appetizers for Your Next Party

Tostones

Although I grew up eating many dishes from Puerto Rico, tostones have always been a favorite for me. I still make the fried snacks when I miss my family. —Leah Martin, Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania

Pork Taquitos

These taquitos freeze very well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them anytime. Microwave the shells before filling for easier rolling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Nena's Papas Rellenas

A Cuban classic, these satisfying, crispy-coated potato balls are filled with a savory ground beef mixture known as picadillo. —Nena Linares, Los Angeles, California

Chickaritos

After our son grew fond of a fast-food restaurant’s fried burritos, I created this recipe by substituting beef with chicken and skipping the frying. It’s been a hit with our family ever since! —Nancy Coates, Oro Valley, Arizona

Southwestern Nachos

Guests will go crazy when you serve this cheesy nacho casserole with tender chunks of slow-cooked pork. The recipe makes two heaping pans, and you don’t need to worry about filling the chip bowl—the tortilla chips are conveniently baked right in the dish! —Kelly Byler, Goshen, Indiana

Chiles Rellenos Squares

My family requests this chiles rellenos dish regularly—it's easy to prepare and makes a nice hors d'oeuvre or complement to a Mexican or Spanish meal. A friend I worked with shared the recipe with me several years ago. —Fran Carll, Long Beach, California

Chicken Tamales

I love making these homemade tamales. They take a little time to make but are so worth the effort. I usually make them for Christmas, but my family wants them more often, so I freeze a big batch. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma

Cuban Sliders

These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas

Grilled Guacamole

If you’re a guacamole lover, try this fun grilled version that has a smoky flavor. The veggies tend to darken a bit when heated, so stir it gently to prevent further discoloration. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana

Avocado Quesadillas

Avocados give quesadillas some nutritional value and, fortunately, my son likes them. Thinly slice the avocado, and add chicken or beef for extra protein. —Debbie Limas, North Andover, Massachusetts

Lime-Marinated Shrimp Salad

Ceviche is a seafood recipe of raw fish marinated in citrus juice, which cooks it without heat. This version starts with cooked shrimp and adds tomatoes, cucumbers and serrano peppers. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mini Phyllo Tacos

For a winning appetizer, serve crispy phyllo cups filled with taco-seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese. These handheld bites will be a surefire hit with a hungry crowd. —Roseann Weston, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Mini Chicken Empanadas

Refrigerated pie crust makes quick work of assembling these bite-sized appetizers loaded with chicken and cheese. I've made them several times since receiving the recipe from a friend. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

Guacamole Appetizer Squares

For ages, my brother's family and I have gotten together on Christmas Eve, and always eat snacks while we open our presents. This Tex-Mex spin on classic appetizer pizza is one we have again and again. —Laurie Pester, Colstrip, Montana

Sopaipillas

Light, crispy pastry puffs, sopaipillas are a sweet way to round out a spicy meal. We love to serve them warm and to top them off with honey or sugar. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas

Queso Fundido

Dig in to this one-skillet dip and enjoy the gooey cheese and the spicy kicks from chorizo and pepper jack. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Tomatillo Salsa

Dare to deviate from tomato salsa and try this tomatillo-based version for a deliciously addictive change of pace. It’s fantastic on its own with tortilla chips or served as a condiment alongside a variety of meats. —Lori Kostecki, Wausau, Wisconsin

Grilled Street Corn

Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for her legendary tacos, and this chile-lime grilled corn turned out to be just right. —Ashley Crainshaw, Shawnee, Kansas

Lime-Chipotle Carnitas Tostadas

Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Enchilada Meatballs

Before I retired, these tasty little treats were popular during snack time at work. They're a good way to use up leftover cornbread. —Mearl Harris, West Plains, Missouri

Margarita Granita with Spicy Shrimp

While tinkering and tuning up recipes for my spring menu, I came up with a snazzy little appetizer that’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo. It features two favorites: shrimp and margaritas! —Nancy Buchanan, Costa Mesa, California

Huevos Diablos

You'll think these eggs really do have a bit of devil's heat in them. For a milder version, remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno. —Linda Ross, Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Mexican Chicken Wings

I make these spicy appetizers for parties and football games and never have any leftovers. The hot wings contrast nicely with the cool but zippy dip. When the wings run out, we use the extra cilantro dip on tortilla chips. —Barbara McConaughey, Houlton, Wisconsin

Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this stuffed poblano peppers recipe, which is one of our favorites. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan

Tangy Turkey Tostadas

I'm a health fitness specialist and personal trainer, so I know how important it is to make smart food choices to fuel my day. These fast and filling tostadas are packed with lean protein, fiber and a good dose of veggies. Have them any night of the week. —Julie Huntington, Memphis, Tennessee

Beefy Taco Dip

This taco dip is actually a combination of several different recipes I received from friends. I just experimented until I came up with my favorite. It's always a hit, no matter where I take it. —Faye Parker, Bedford, Nova Scotia

Sweet & Smoky Salsa

I love the roasted flavor that grilling gives food, so I decided to make a salsa from grilled vegetables. I think this recipe would also taste great using plum tomatoes. Also, if you can't use wood chip charcoal, you might try adding a little liquid smoke to the salsa while it cooks. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

Rollo de Queso

The Bolivian Rollo de Queso is a delightful snack of a light fluffy cheese filling rolled up inside a deliciously rich and slightly crumbly crust. Glazed with an egg wash spiked with aji chili pepper, it was a mainstay for our midafternoon snacks. —Eric Villegas, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Salsa Roja

With the help of my food processor, I can have fresh homemade salsa ready in just 15 minutes. The lime juice works wonders in bringing out all the flavors, and you can really taste the cilantro. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Up next: Try out this authentic alfajores recipe!