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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Pepinos Locos

    Pepinos Locos

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted June 6, 2022 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pepinos Locos (or Crazy Cucumbers) are fun and unique Mexican snacks. Cucumber “cups” filled with peanuts, candies, and more make for a surprising and tasty combination of flavors and textures.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A serving platter with pepinos locos, corn chips, lime, and more.
    A serving platter with pepinos locos, corn chips, lime, and more.

    Pepinos Locos is one of many “crazy” creations that are sold at Mexican food stands. Each stand has their own version.

    Similar to Tostilocos, it includes a mixture of flavors and textures all stuffed into a hollow cucumber cup.

    Sweet. Sour. Spicy. Crunchy. All of it goes.

    Get creative when you make it at home. Here’s a start to get your creative juices flowing.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for pepinos locos labeled and on a wooden surface.

    Cucumbers – When choosing, look for skin that is not wrinkly.

    Chamoy – Any flavor chamoy will work for this recipe. It’ll act like glue for Tajin.

    Tajin – If you like it spicier, use ground chile de arbol.

    Jicama – Cubed into small pieces to fit the cucumber cups easily.

    Japanese Peanuts – These are crunchy peanuts that are so delicious.

    Gummy Worms – You can also use gummy bears or sour candy.

    Hot Sauce – Valentina, Cholula, Tapatio, or use whatever you prefer.

    Lime Juice – In Mexico, it is common to use key limes. Regular limes or lemons are fine to use.

    Instructions

    A picture of a peeled cucumber next to a peeler and the shaved peel.
    • Peel the skin of the cucumber.
    • Discard the skin.

    Look for crisp cucumbers, that are firm. Old ones will fall apart easily.

    For parties, you can make the cups a day ahead.

    A collage showing how to make cucumber cups.
    • Remove the ends and slice into three large pieces.
    • Remove the fleshy seeds, creating a “cup.”

    Discard the fleshy interior.

    A melon baller or a small spoon work great for this task.

    A hand showing how much of the inside of the cucumber to remove.

    Do not go all the way through when making the fresh cucumber cups.

    Leave about half an inch on the bottom.

    A collage showing how to make the chamoy rims with Tajin.
    • Dip the rim of the cucumber cup in chamoy salsa.
    • Then dip the cup in the Tajin.
    • Make sure to go all the way around, covering all the chamoy.

    Tajin is a chile-lime seasoning. It’s tangy and slightly spicy.

    The cool fresh cucumbers will tame down some of the heat.

    Can’t find Tajin? Use chile powder instead.

    A collage showing how to fill the cucumber cups.
    • Fill the cups with layers of jicama, Japanese style peanuts, squeeze of lime, and hot sauce.
    • Repeat until the cup is full.

    This pepinos locos recipe is spicy because of the hot sauce and the Tajin. Omit if you are not a spicy food fan.

    You might see people put Clamato juice (or tomato juice) into the cups. Even a splash of beer or tequila.

    Pepinos Locos on a serving platter with chips and other ingredients.

    Variations

    Empty out packages chaka chaka or tangy tamarind candies on top of spicy potato chips.

    Tamarind candy (or pulparindo candies), fresh fruits like mango cubes or pineapple, or pig skins (or cueritos) all make great additions.

    Let your imagination run wild when making your pepino locos.

    Storing

    They will get soggy. Instead, store everything separately.

    Pepinos Locos served next to corn chips, limes, and gummy bears.

    More Mexican Antojitos:

    Mexican Street Corn

    Mexican Fruit Cups

    Esquites con Tuetano

    To a serving platter, add corn chips to a plate along with the pepinos locos and any ingredients that didn’t make it inside the cups. Add more salsa and lime juice.

    This loco craze is part of the Mexican party culture. It’s supposed to be messy but delicious!

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    A serving platter with pepinos locos, corn chips, lime, and more.

    Pepinos Locos

    Pepinos Locos (or Crazy Cucumbers) are fun and unique Mexican snacks. Cucumber “cups” filled with peanuts, candies, and more make for a surprising and tasty combination of flavors and textures.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 3 people
    Calories: 249kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 cucumber
    • 1/2 cup Chamoy
    • 1/2 cup Tajin
    • 1/8 jicama cubed
    • 1 Japanese Peanuts (small package)
    • 1/2 gummy worms package
    • 1/4 cup hot sauce
    • 1/4 cup lime juice

    Instructions

    • Peel the cucumbers.
    • Cut off the ends.
    • Cut into three pieces roughly of the same size.
    • Using a melon baller, remove the fleshy interior.
    • Do not go all the way through.
    • Leave about 1 inch on the bottom to make the "cup."
    • Add some of the jicama, peanuts, hot sauce, and lime.
    • Repeat until the cups are full.
    • Top with gummy worms.
    • Drizzle more hot sauce and lime all over.

    Video

    Notes

    Variations

    Empty out packages chaka chaka or tangy tamarind candies on top of spicy potato chips.
    Tamarind candy (or pulparindo candies), fresh fruits like mango cubes or pineapple, or pig skins (or cueritos) all make great additions.
    You might see people put Clamato juice (or tomato juice) into the cups. Even a splash of beer or tequila.

    Storing

    They will get soggy. Instead, store everything separately. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 1922mg | Potassium: 1056mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 11814IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 8mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Appetizers, Mexican, Recipes

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Oscar

      June 9, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so good, excited to try this recipe soon.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:37 am

        Hope you do. It’s delicious!

        Reply
        • Charles franklin griffin

          August 18, 2022 at 3:57 pm

          I hope I can cook all the recipes one day so I have some good food

        • Maggie Unzueta

          August 22, 2022 at 2:00 pm

          I’m sure you will! 🙂

    2. Jan

      June 9, 2022 at 9:10 pm

      5 stars
      so much yumminess

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:37 am

        Right! Indeed.

        Reply
    3. Debra

      June 9, 2022 at 9:43 pm

      5 stars
      So fun…and I love a good salty/savory snack combo.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:37 am

        I love that too. Lots of flavors and textures.

        Reply
    4. Freya

      June 9, 2022 at 10:28 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fun and delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:37 am

        Fun is the word. Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Rebecca

      June 9, 2022 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      These are perfect for our party this weekend, looking forward to trying them.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:38 am

        I know your guests will love this recipe. Perfect party food.

        Reply
    6. Amanda

      June 10, 2022 at 12:55 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this recipe. Everyone loved it and the flavour combinations are delicious.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:38 am

        That’s so awesome to hear. Glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    7. Natalie

      June 10, 2022 at 3:01 am

      5 stars
      Love your pepinos locos Maggie! What a fun and delicious snack, thanks!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:38 am

        Thank you!! Fun and delicious 🙂

        Reply
    8. Nora

      June 10, 2022 at 3:32 am

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous dish! Love it!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 10, 2022 at 10:38 am

        Thanks! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Amy Liu Dong

      June 10, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      5 stars
      Two thumbs up for this recipe. It’s good and tasty!
      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 14, 2022 at 10:29 am

        Yay! Glad you liked it!

        Reply

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