Famous Arizona Foods

These Famous Arizona Foods are influenced by the southwestern culture native to the area.

They include tamales, Navajo tacos, prickly pear margaritas, chimichangas, and so many more!

Whether these dishes are familiar to you or you’ve never heard of them, it’s worth giving them a try!

Check out our 50 states unit study for some fun states info!

Don’t forget to check out this Arizona Unit Study as well to learn more about fun state facts and history.

Arizona’s food culture has been shaped by Mexican immigrants, Native Americans, western settlers, and the land.

Dishes are often spicy and some, like prickly pear margaritas, are derived from the local flora.

This dry and rocky desert land is beautiful with sweeping vistas, never-ending skies, and delicious foods.

Table of Contents

Cheese Crisps

Cheese crisps are tortillas covered with cheese, vegetables, and sometimes meats. Then they are baked or broiled until melty, crispy, and hot. They are similar to open-faced quesadillas. Kids love them!

Chimichangas

These burritos are stuffed with cheese, chicken or beef, beans, and sauce and then fried. The crispy outsides and the gooey, and sometimes spicy, insides are amazing. There are many different variations of chimichangas to try.

Posole

Posole is a thick soup made with chickpeas (hominy). Other ingredients can include tomatillos, green chile, shredded chicken, or chipotle peppers. This soup is generally smoky, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying.

Tamales

Tamales are made by spreading masa mixed with lard over a corn husk and then filled with chorizo, shredded beef, or shredded chicken. They are then wrapped up and folded over to keep them intact.

To cook, place them in a double boiler ends up and steam them. Unwrap the corn husk and enjoy these spicy delicacies while still hot. These labor-intensive tamales are definitely worth the effort!

Sun Tea

Simple, delicious sun tea is very easy to make with delicious results. See these recipes for fun variations.

Sonoran Hot Dog

These bacon-wrapped hot dogs are placed in a long roll instead of a traditional hot dog bun and piled high with pinto beans, green salsa, and queso fresco.

Grilling the bacon-wrapped hot dogs is a mouth-watering act. Don’t be surprised if the plate gets to the kitchen with one less hot dog…

Fry Bread

Fry bread is a flatbread fried in oil that puffs up and can be served either savory or sweet. It’s the foundation of the Navajo taco.

Navajo Tacos

Navajo tacos are built on a hot piece of fry bread and piled high with beans, ground beef, pico de gallo, lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream.

Piki Bread

Piki bread is a traditional bread from the Hopi tribe. It’s paper-thin crispy when bitten into. It’s made with juniper bush ash and is highly nutritious.

Prickly Pear Margarita

Prickly pear is the fruit of a cactus that grows in Arizona. This bright pink liquid is best used in syrup form and can be bought online. It tastes like a cross between a pear and a watermelon and is delicious in drinks.

Delicious Arizona Famous Foods