Ethnic Appetizers

When it's time to take your nachos up a notch-o, these beefy deluxe nachos with refried beans, lettuce, and sour cream are the move.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Fried rice paper rounds stuffed with noodles, beef, shrimp, and crab are an irresistible treat. Serve with traditional nuoc cham, fresh mint and cilantro.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

These egg rolls with chicken, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts will have you skipping takeout. Rolling them up is fun and they go great with an easy homemade duck sauce.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

You'll love these dumplings made with ground pork, soy sauce, oyster sauce, napa cabbage, and scallions and served with a soy sauce based dipping...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Bite-sized meatballs are stuffed with feta cheese and served with a spicy jalapeno-orange glaze.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!

The spicy, orange chicken filling gives these quesadillas a fresh flavor. You can use Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

These popular Chinese pastries can be filled with red bean paste, lotus paste, or sweet black bean paste before frying.

Method:   deep fryer
Time:   under 30 minutes

These meatless dumplings make a great lunch or snack. They are filled with ginger, zucchini, and bell pepper, and served with a spicy Thai dipping sauce.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

The taco ring is a delicious and easy way to enjoy all of your favorite taco fixings in one tasty package.

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Eva Longoria has been cooking since she was a little girl and loves whipping up dishes like this. This chunky guacamole is fresh and bright with just the right amount of...


Time:   under 30 minutes

Restaurant-style egg rolls made at home! These crispy egg rolls are filled with chicken, bean sprouts, spinach, green onions, and water chestnuts.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

The perfect appetizer for a homemade Asian feast. Spring rolls stuffed with noodles, mushrooms, and all manner of other good stuff are fried until crispy.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Enjoy a healthier twist on a favorite snack with our low fat nachos. Combining fresh veggies, no-fat refried beans, and reduced-fat cheese, these nachos deliver all the taste without the...

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Grilled chicken strips, marinated in a homemade yellow curry paste and zesty peanut butter mixture, served with a flavorful spicy peanut...

Method:   stovetop, outdoor grill
Time:   2-5 hours

These dumplings (gyoza) are made with ground pork, chopped shrimp, water chestnuts, carrot, cilantro, ginger, green onion, and lots of seasonings.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Nachos are always a hit. These beefy and cheesy nachos can be topped with your favorite add-ons such as jalapenos, sour cream, and guacamole.

Method:   microwave, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Simple homemade egg roll wraps come with three suggested fillings - a classic Asian-style pork and shrimp filling, a pizza-style filling, and a delicious peanut butter...

Method:   microwave
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with vegetable oil, onion, ginger, garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground turmeric, salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:   stovetop, outdoor grill
Time:   1-2 hours

Real flaked crab with bean sprouts, carrots, and cilantro helps make up a delicious dipper. Warm plum sauce with vinegar and soy provides a...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Roll up some cabbage, celery and chickpeas in a egg roll blanket and fry until golden. Serve with hot, plum sauce and you'll be the snack hero.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

An easy and tasty oven-baked version of quesadillas made with flour tortillas, Colby/Monterey Jack cheese blend, bacon, and green onions.

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Some very incognito pizza rolls. Egg roll wraps actually make the perfect vehicle for pizza toppings since all that ooey gooey cheese could use a crispy crunch to...

Method:   deep fryer, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

These chicken and shrimp filled dumplings with a zesty dipping sauce are perfect for an appetizer or entree.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

If you're new to hummus, this is the perfect recipe for you. It's easy to make and tastes great. This basic recipe can be modified to suit individual tastes.


Time:   1-2 hours

Pork filled dumplings are steamed and served with a homemade dipping sauce.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

A Mexican one-two punch: the fajita quesadilla! Sauteed chicken, peppers, and onions pressed with cheese in flour tortillas is genius. Great with sour cream or salsa.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

There's only four grams of fat per serving in these delicious low fat potstickers. They are made with ground chicken or turkey instead of the usual ground pork.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Pork and shrimp wrapped up with stir-fried cabbage, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts get fried and dipped in a tangy cherry sweet and sour sauce.

Method:   electric skillet/wok, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Spicy chorizo makes a spectacular filling for empanadas. These scratch-made savory bites will make a fun cooking project with a tasty, tasty ending.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

A unique hummus made with garbanzo beans, artichoke hearts, garlic and spices. There is no tahini in this version which lowers the fat content significantly.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Con: empanadas take a bit of prep work. Pro: empanadas are amazing. Tough choice, huh? Ground beef with two cheeses, crushed tomatoes, and a load...

Method:   deep fryer, stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

These delicious dumplings are made with a pork filling that is delicately seasoned, and they are seared and then steamed until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Ahh rangoon, the pinnacle of take-out appetizer - try making the crunchy, creamy bites at home. Cream cheese and shrimp make up these tasty rangoon, or sub out the shrimp for crab if...

Method:   deep fryer
Time:   under 30 minutes

Vegetarian wontons are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional meat-filled wontons. The crispy texture of the wontons complements the softness of the vegetables perfectly.

Method:   deep fryer, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

We don't ever get tired of hummus, but it's always nice to try new kinds. Especially when they're as flavorful as this cilantro jalapeno variety with garlic, lime and spicy...


Time:   under 30 minutes

Deliciously delicate Vietnamese salad rolls with not one but two dipping options. Rice paper wrapped noodles, shrimp, and carrots pair well with either choice.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Made with oil, jack fruit, bananas, sugar and cinnamon, lumpia wrappers

Method:   stovetop, deep fryer
Time:   under 30 minutes

These lobster spring rolls are the apex of Asian appetizers. The lobster filling pairs perfectly with a citrusy ponzu dipping sauce. Worth the work! ...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

These springs rolls have the whole package. Beautifully rolled into a rose shape and fried to perfection, these hand-crafted treats will have your...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Thick and chunky is the way to go with guacamole. This recipe adds a little picante sauce for a fiery touch, but you could also opt for a diced jalapeno.


Time:   2-5 hours

These little fried delights have a curry and cream cheese filling served with a tangy sweet-and-sour dipping sauce made with pineapple juice. Find some friends, this recipe makes a...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Chicken and Thai peanut sauce is a great call any time, and these spring rolls are no exception. Pre-shredded cabbage makes the prep work a snap.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Experience a unique twist on a classic dip with this recipe for lentil hummus. Made with protein-packed lentils, this recipe packs a flavorful punch. Serve it with pita wedges or veggies...

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

A classic hummus recipe with some tasty flavor options such as red curry paste, masala, or cumin. Serve with your favorite dippers.


Time:   under 30 minutes

Flour tortillas are filled with ground pork, green chiles, a Mexican cheese blend, and green onions and then broiled until done.

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Tortilla chips loaded up with the whole shebang: cheese, beans, onions, a couple creamy dollops of sour cream and guac... if anybody isn't happy with this spread, that's nacho...

Method:   oven
Time:   under 30 minutes

Guacamole with a zesty twist. This avocado dip has tomatoes, onions, fresh lime, and a pinch of cumin for extra flavor. Perfect with chips or pita.


Time:   under 30 minutes

For spring rolls loaded up with bright flavors, look no further. Sweet mango combined with fresh herbs and sprouts definitely makes it seem like winter is gone and spring...


Time:   30-60 minutes

Fresh ground sumac adds a nice finishing touch to creamy hummus, and you can surround the dip with an assortment of pita, crackers and veggies.


Time:   30-60 minutes

Splashes of tequila and triple sec or Cointreau add an eye-opening pop to some guac, which is already zesty thanks to fresh jalapeno and cilantro.


Time:   under 30 minutes