Antojitos

Antojitos ("little cravings", from antojo, a sudden craving) is the Mexican term for the broad family of small, mostly corn-based snacks and street foods, including tacos, quesadillas, sopes, gorditas, tlacoyos, tostadas and tamales.

Meaning

The word comes from antojo, a sudden craving for something tasty, and the diminutive gives it a sense of a small indulgence. MasterClass describes antojitos as small savory bites eaten before a main meal or as a late-night snack, while Velas Resorts' magazine emphasizes that they are typically built on corn and are cheap, comforting and tied to everyday Mexican life, sold on street corners, in markets and tianguis, and served at family gatherings.

The taco as an antojito

The taco is the best known of all antojitos. Both sources place it first in their lists, with fillings such as al pastor, carnitas, carne asada, barbacoa and suadero, and on the coasts fish. Many of the other antojitos are built, like the taco, on corn dough.

Other antojitos

Among the taco's relatives, quesadillas are tortillas folded over a filling; MasterClass notes that in Mexico City the word can cover almost anything folded into a corn tortilla, with or without cheese. Sopes are thick masa rounds with pinched edges, topped with beans and meat. Gorditas are thick tortillas that puff on the griddle and are split and stuffed, for example with chicharrón prensado. Tlacoyos are oval masa cakes from central Mexico filled with beans or other fillings, and tlayudas are large, crisp Oaxacan tortillas topped with beans, tasajo, cheese and avocado. MasterClass also includes tostadas, chalupas, chilaquiles, tamales, tortas, empanadas and corn in the form of elote and esquites.

Reviews

See also

• Taco
• Mulitas
• Tacos de chicharrón prensado
• Tostada
• Masa
• Tacos in Oaxaca
• Taco stand
• Gringas

References

1. "What Are Antojitos? 15 Types of Mexican Antojitos". MasterClass. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
2. "A Fascinating Journey Through Mexican Antojitos". Velas Resorts Magazine. Retrieved 2026-10-10.