Stuffed Jalapenos

• Stuffed jalapenos are a feature on almost any Tex-Mex menu. The spicy appetizers pair well with any salad, from garden to bean. Slice each jalapeno open and deseed. Stuff the pepper with your choice of ingredients and serve cold -- or grill, bake or deep fry to serve warm. Try jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese for a classic treat. Fill each pepper with crumbled bacon, tomatoes and sour cream for a hearty tidbit. Load the jalapenos with green chilies, avocado and cheddar cheese for an extra-spicy bite.

Stuffed Potato Skins

• While stuffed potato skins aren’t the most common type of Tex-Mex appetizer, the potatoes provide a mellow background flavor that pairs well with spicy ingredients. Bake the potatoes and scoop away the flesh to prepare each skin. Stuff the skins with a mixture of ground beef, salsa, sour cream and cheddar cheese for a filling appetizer that pairs well with a light salad. Spoon chili con carne, a meat chili, onto the skins and top with sour cream to create a creamy snack.

Mini Fajitas

• Nothing says Tex-Mex like mini fajita appetizers. Roll a mixture of shredded chicken, lime juice, salsa and onions in a tortilla. Cut the roll into slices and spear with a toothpick for spiral snack that work with any salad. Melt pepper Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, red bell peppers and green bell peppers between two tortillas, and then slice into triangles, for a spicy vegetarian appetizer that pairs well with a garden salad.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

• The right Tex-Mex stuffing turns baby bell peppers into a flavorful appetizer. Cut the top from each baby bell pepper and deseed. Stuff the pepper with ingredients and bake until warm. Go for a traditional taste by stuffing the peppers with Spanish rice, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Fill each baby pepper with a mixture of ground beef, red beans, salsa, cream cheese, avocado and green onions for an indulgent flavor that pairs with any salad.

Chips and Dips

• It’s simple to give traditional chips and dip a Tex-Mex twist. Best of all, the salty chips leave you ready for a refreshing garden salad. Serve a combination of guacamole, cream cheese and crumbled bacon with flour tortilla chips for a rich appetizer. Dip corn chips into a mixture of chili beans, sour cream and cilantro for a mildly spiced snack.