27 Latin Appetizers for Your Next Party

Read Time: 12 mins

27 Latin Appetizers for Your Next Party1/27 Pork Taquitos 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pork Taquitos Recipe photo by Diana Chistruga for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These taquitos freeze very well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them anytime. Microwave the tortillas before filling for easier rolling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 taquito: 155 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 118mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein. 2/27 Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Test Kitchen Approved Easy Mexican

You’ll even get a little heat from the Tobasco sauce

Shrimp Cocktail Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chunks of cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and avocado combined with shrimp in a tomato base sauce create this refreshing shrimp cocktail that’s bursting with flavors. You’ll even get a little heat from the Tobasco sauce. Serve it with saltine crackers to compliment the sweet tomato flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 105 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 413mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein. 3/27 Nena’s Papas

Rellenas 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Nena’s Papas Rellenas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 3 potato balls: 224 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 615mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein. 4/27 Chickaritos 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chickaritos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 3 dozen

It’s been a hit with our family ever since!

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 213 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 294mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. 5/27 Southwestern Nachos 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 7 hours 55 min Servings 30 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Guests will go crazy when you serve this

cheesy nacho casserole with tender chunks of slow-cooked pork

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 Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 288 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 6/27 Chiles Rellenos Squares 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chiles Rellenos Squares Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family requests this chiles rellenos

A friend I worked with shared the recipe with me several years ago

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 Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 130 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 214mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein. 7/27 Chicken Tamales 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Tamales Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 15 min Servings 20 tamales Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love making these homemade tamales. They take

a little time to make but are so worth the effort

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 Nutrition Facts: 2 tamales: 564 calories, 35g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 835mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 20g protein. 8/27 Cuban Sliders 51 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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

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 Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 191 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 532mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. 9/27 Grilled Guacamole Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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

gently to prevent further discoloration. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 85 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 152mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat. 10/27 Avocado Quesadillas 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 2 quesadillas (calculated without additional pico de gallo): 611 calories, 37g

fat (15g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 12g fiber), 20g protein. 11/27 Shrimp Ceviche 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lime-Marinated Shrimp Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup (calculated without chips): 61 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 4g

carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein

carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat. 12/27 Mini Phyllo Tacos 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mini Phyllo Tacos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 63 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 13/27

I’ve made them several times since receiving the recipe from a friend

Mini Chicken Empanadas 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mini Chicken Empanadas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 empanada: 81 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 14/27 Sopapillas 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

We love to serve them warm and to top them off with honey or sugar

Sopaipillas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1 sopaipilla: 57 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 15/27 Queso Fundido 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Queso Fundido Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35

min Servings 6 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

min Servings 6 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: 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 Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 161 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 365mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. 16/27 Tomatillo Salsa 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tomatillo Salsa Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2-1/4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Dare to deviate from tomato salsa and try this

tomatillo-based version for a deliciously addictive change of pace

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 Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 19 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 133mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: free food. 17/27 Grilled Street Corn 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for her legendary tacos, and this

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community