20 Cinco de Mayo Appetizers That Disappeared Faster Than the First Margarita

Cinco de Mayo parties are only as good as the food that shows up early. These 20 appetizers were the first plates to clear, and nobody was surprised. They’re bold, quick, and packed with the kind of flavor people actually come back for. If you’re bringing one thing, make sure it’s from this list.

Blue cheese steak crostini on a metal platter drizzled with balsamic reduction. — Blue Cheese Steak Crostini. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Loaded bruschetta salad on crostini on a white plate. — Loaded Bruschetta Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded Bruschetta is ready in 20 minutes using tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze on toasted bread. The flavor is fresh, tangy, and creamy all at once. It’s juicy with a satisfying crunch. Easy to pile high and even easier to watch vanish.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board

Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board comes together in about 20 minutes with assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers. The flavor variety swings from salty to sweet to sharp. Each bite offers something different. Perfect for nibbling without ever needing a plate.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie and Cheese Grazing Board

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad takes 15 minutes to assemble with ripe tomatoes, burrata cheese, and fresh basil. The flavor is creamy, juicy, and bright. It’s a cool dish that feels light but satisfying. A refreshing break between heavier bites.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli takes about 1 hour with roasted squash, pasta dough, and parmesan. The filling is sweet, nutty, and smooth. The pasta is tender with just enough bite. Works well as a shareable bite-size starter.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet Potato Fritters fry up in about 30 minutes using shredded sweet potato, spices, and a homemade sweet-spicy dipping sauce. The fritters are crispy, sweet, and slightly smoky. The sauce adds just enough heat. They go fast because they taste good warm or cold.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Bacon beer cheese in a dark bowl surrounded by pretzel knots on a cutting board. — Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon melts together in about 20 minutes with cheddar, cream cheese, beer, and crispy bacon. The flavor is rich, smoky, and just a little tangy. The texture is creamy with bites of salty bacon. Best served warm and scooped with everything.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce are ready in about 45 minutes. The artichokes are tender and earthy while the sauce is fruity with a little kick. Each leaf gets a dip that feels unexpected but works. Fun to eat and even better to share.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Artichokes with Spicy Peach Mango Sauce

My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

Mushroom Savoury Pastries bake in about 30 minutes with puff pastry, mushrooms, and herbs. The flavor is buttery, earthy, and rich. Each pastry is crisp outside and soft inside. A little snack that somehow always feels fancy.
Get the Recipe: My Homemade Mushroom Savoury Pastries

Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Dip takes about 40 minutes with eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, and spices. The texture is smooth with just a little chunk. The flavor is smoky, savory, and slightly tangy. Works with pita, crackers, or straight off a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Eggplant And Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)

Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Baked Butternut Squash Chips bake in 40 minutes with thin-sliced squash, olive oil, and salt. The chips are crispy, slightly sweet, and easy to munch. They’re light but pack a lot of flavor. They tend to vanish before you realize you’ve eaten half the tray.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon

Jalapeño Poppers on a platter with a bowl of dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers cook in about 20 minutes using fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, and bacon. The flavor is creamy, smoky, and just a little spicy. The bacon crisps up perfectly without drying out. Hard to stop at just one.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers with Bacon

My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms bake in 30 minutes with marinated tofu, garlic, and mushroom caps. The texture is savory and juicy with a soft bite. The filling is herby with a hint of richness. A plant-based app that even meat eaters grab quickly.
Get the Recipe: My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

Sweet potato bites topped with guacamole and bacon. — Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites come together in 35 minutes with roasted sweet potato rounds, bacon, and fresh guacamole. The flavor mix is sweet, salty, creamy, and smoky. Each bite feels balanced and satisfying. They go fast because they’re basically mini meals.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites

Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

A person holds a chip topped with diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and olives, over a bowl filled with the same ingredients. The background is a light-colored countertop. — Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip layers up in 20 minutes with refried beans, sour cream, salsa, cheese, and guacamole. The flavor is creamy, tangy, and just a little spicy. Each scoop hits all the right notes. Best made in a big dish because it disappears quick.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks bake in about 45 minutes with roasted eggplant, marinara, and dairy-free cheese. The texture is soft and saucy with a crisp top. The flavor is classic, comforting, and rich without being heavy. A sturdy appetizer that doesn’t get soggy fast.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Zucchini chips without breading made in the air fryer in a bowl on a wooden plate. — Air Fryer Zucchini Chips. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips crisp up in about 15 minutes using sliced zucchini, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. They’re crunchy, savory, and light enough to snack on by the handful. The flavor is herby with a mild zucchini bite. Great for piling up on the appetizer table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Arancini with Marinara and Broccolini

Arancini with Marinara and Broccolini bake in about 45 minutes with rice, cheese, and bread crumbs. They’re crisp on the outside with a cheesy, soft middle. The marinara adds a tangy lift. One bite and it’s easy to see why the tray empties fast.
Get the Recipe: Arancini with Marinara and Broccolini

BBQ Rib Potato Salad

BBQ Rib Potato Salad mixes up in 35 minutes with tender ribs, creamy dressing, and roasted potatoes. The flavor is smoky, tangy, and rich. Each scoop has a little bit of everything. A heavier appetizer that works great for hungry guests.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Rib Potato Salad

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs

Football themed green plate with deviled eggs. — Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs take about 25 minutes with hard-boiled eggs, shredded chicken, and buffalo sauce. The flavor is creamy, spicy, and tangy with a good bite. The filling is smooth but packs a punch. Perfect for serving to people who don’t want another boring egg.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs

Blue Cheese Steak Crostini

Blue Cheese Steak Crostini takes about 30 minutes to prepare with grilled steak, toasted bread, and blue cheese crumbles. The flavor is bold, salty, and rich. Each bite is a mix of tender beef and crispy bread. A small plate that disappears fast once it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Blue Cheese Steak Crostini