Popular Mexican Snack Foods: How to Make Them at Home

Popular Mexican Snack Foods

Here are some popular Mexican snack foods along with their details:

1. Esquites

• Preparation Time: PT10M
• Cooking Time: PT20M
• Total Time: PT30M
• Type of Recipe: Appetizer
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Keywords: Street food, corn, antojito
• Recipe Yield: 4 servings
• Calories: Approximately 200 kcal per serving

Recipe Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 4 ears)
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 sprig epazote (optional)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons crumbled Cotija cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Chili powder or hot sauce, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Recipe Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add salt, epazote (if using), and corn kernels. Boil for about 15 minutes until the corn is tender.
2. Drain the corn and divide it into cups.
3. Stir in mayonnaise, Cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder or hot sauce to each cup.
4. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm.

2. Tostilocos

• Preparation Time: PT15M
• Cooking Time: PT0M
• Total Time: PT15M
• Type of Recipe: Snack
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Keywords: Street food, antojito, party food
• Recipe Yield: 4 servings
• Calories: Approximately 350 kcal per serving

Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 large bag of Tostitos tortilla chips
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup diced jícama
• 1 cup diced mango
• 1/2 cup pickled pork rinds (curios)
• 1/2 cup Japanese-style peanuts
• Chamoy sauce, to taste
• Hot sauce (e.g., Valentina), to taste
• Lime wedges
• Tajín seasoning, to taste

Recipe Instructions:

1. Open the bag of Tostitos and make a vertical cut down the middle to create an opening.
2. Add diced cucumber, jícama, mango, pickled pork rinds, and Japanese-style peanuts directly into the bag.
3. Drizzle chamoy sauce and hot sauce over the mixture.
4. Squeeze fresh lime juice and sprinkle Tajín seasoning to taste.
5. Mix all ingredients within the bag gently to combine. Serve immediately with a fork.

3. Chilaquiles

• Preparation Time: PT15M
• Cooking Time: PT20M
• Total Time: PT35M
• Type of Recipe: Breakfast
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Keywords: Traditional, comfort food
• Recipe Yield: 4 servings
• Calories: Approximately 300 kcal per serving

Recipe Ingredients:

• 8 corn tortillas, cut into triangles
• 1 cup red or green salsa
• 1/2 cup shredded chicken (optional)
• 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
• 1/4 cup sliced red onions
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• Salt, to taste

Recipe Instructions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tortilla triangles and fry until crispy and golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
2. In the same skillet, warm the salsa over medium heat. Add shredded chicken if using and stir to combine.
3. Add the fried tortilla chips to the skillet, gently tossing to coat them with the salsa. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tortillas slightly soften but remain crisp.
4. Season with salt to taste.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with crumbled queso fresco, a drizzle of crema, sliced red onions, and chopped cilantro.

Popular Mexican Snack Foods: How to Make Them at Home
Crave-worthy, vibrant, and bursting with flavor—Mexican street food is a fiesta for the senses!

Introduction

Picture this: golden elotes slathered in creamy mayo, tangy lime, and chili powder; crispy churros dusted with cinnamon sugar; or warm tamales steamed to perfection. Mexican snack foods aren’t just bites—they’re edible celebrations! Whether you’re hosting a game night or craving a midnight treat, these iconic snacks bring joy to every occasion. Did you know elotes (Mexican street corn) date back to Aztec times? Vendors still serve them today from bustling carts, proving some traditions only get better with age.

What makes these recipes special? They’re simple, affordable, and packed with bold flavors that’ll make your taste buds salsa. Forget takeout—these snacks come together faster than you can say “¡Qué rico!” Plus, they’re family-friendly crowd-pleasers. If you loved our Easy Chicken Tacos, wait until you try these handheld wonders. Ready to turn your kitchen into a taquería? Let’s dive in!

1. Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)

What Are Elotes?

Why is grilled corn slathered in mayo, cheese, and chili powder called elites? Blame it on the Aztecs! The word comes from elotl, their term for tender corn. Some say the combo of creamy, spicy, and tangy flavors is so addictive, it’s “the way to a foodie’s heart.” (Move over, Shakespeare!) Whether you serve it on the cob or in a cup (esquites), this snack is messy, magical, and 100% worth the napkins. Ready to get your hands dirty?

Why You’ll Love Elotes

1. Street food magic at home: Recreate the smoky char of vendor-grilled corn with just a stove or grill.
2. Budget-friendly: A dollar-per-cob vs. $5 at a food truck? Yes, please!
3. Toppings galore: Cotija cheese, lime zest, cilantro—customize your masterpiece!

Love elites? Try our Mexican Street Corn Dip for your next party!

How to Make Elotes

Quick Overview: Charred corn + creamy sauce + zesty toppings = 20 minutes to heaven.
Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• ¼ cup mayo
• ½ cup cotija cheese
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 lime, quartered
• Fresh cilantro

Step-by-Step:

1. Grill corn over medium heat until charred (10 mins).
2. Brush with mayo, then roll in cotija.
3. Dust with chili powder, squeeze lime, and top with cilantro.

Serve With: Ice-cold horchata or a michelada.
Pro Tip: No cotija? Feta works in a pinch!

Storage: Keep leftovers (if any!) in an airtight container for 2 days. Reheat in a skillet.

2. Churros con Chocolate

What Are Churros?

Who decided fried dough + cinnamon sugar = happiness? We owe Spain a thank-you note—churros crossed the ocean and became a Mexican breakfast staple. Crispy outside, pillowy inside, and dunked in rich chocolate, they’re proof that “sugar solves everything.”

Why You’ll Love Churros

1. Irresistible crunch: Golden ridges hold pockets of cinnamon-sugar bliss.
2. Cheaper than a café: Skip the overpriced dessert menu!
3. Dunkable drama: Melted chocolate or dulce de leche? You decide.

Prefer cookies? Try our Conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread)!

How to Make Churros

Quick Overview: Pipe, fry, roll—ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup butter
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon
• Oil for frying

Step-by-Step:

1. Boil water, butter, and salt. Stir in flour to form dough. Cool slightly, then mix in eggs.
2. Pipe dough into hot oil; fry until golden.
3. Toss in cinnamon sugar. Serve with chocolate sauce.

Serve With: Café de olla (spiced coffee).
Pro Tip: Use a star-shaped piping tip for ridges!

Storage: Best fresh, but reheat in the oven to revive crispiness.

3. Tamales

What Are Tamales?

Why spend hours wrapping masa in corn husks? Because unwrapping a tamale feels like opening a gift! These steamed bundles—stuffed with pork, chicken, or veggies—are a labor of love. As the saying goes, “Make tamales, not war.”

Why You’ll Love Tamales

1. Freezer-friendly: Make a batch and save for rainy days.
2. Versatile fillings: Sweet (pineapple) or savory (green chile chicken).
3. Cultural connection: Share a tradition passed down for generations.

Short on time? Try our Sopes (thick tortilla bases) instead!

How to Make Tamales

Quick Overview: Soak husks, spread masa, fill, steam! (Prep time: 2 hrs)
Ingredients:

• 20 dried corn husks
• 3 cups masa harina
• 1½ cups broth
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 lb shredded chicken (seasoned)
• Red salsa

Step-by-Step:

1. Soak husks in warm water for 1 hour.
2. Mix masa, broth, and baking powder into dough.
3. Spread dough on husks; add filling. Fold and steam for 1 hour.

Serve With: Arroz con leche (rice pudding).
Pro Tip: Spread masa thinly to avoid dense tamales!

Storage: Freeze steamed tamales for up to 3 months. Reheat in a steamer.

Final Thoughts

From elites to churros, these snacks are your ticket to a flavor-packed fiesta. Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned chef, these recipes are foolproof and fun. So grab your apron, crank up the mariachi music, and let’s get cooking—your taste buds will thank you!

Hungry for more? Explore our Ultimate Guide to Mexican Salsas next!