Delicious Arizona Famous 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.
Mexican immigrants, Native Americans, western settlers, and the land have shaped Arizona’s food culture.
Dishes often feature spicy flavors, and some, like prickly pear margaritas, derive from the local flora.
This dry and rocky desert land is beautiful with sweeping vistas, never-ending skies, and delicious foods – making Arizona one of the best places to visit in the USA in February or another winter month. I suggest taking a road trip or a day trip to not only enjoy some of these foods, but to also check out some of the amazing things to do in Page, Arizona!
Cheese Crisps
Cheese crisps start with tortillas covered in cheese, vegetables, and sometimes meats. Next, you bake or broil them until they become melty, crispy, and hot. Similar to open-faced quesadillas, kids absolutely love them!
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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!
- Mom’s Authentic Mexican Tamales Recipe
- Fresh Corn Tamal with Cheese, Green Chile, and Jalapenos
- Easy Sweet Corn Tamales
Sun Tea
Simple, delicious sun tea is very easy to make with delicious results. See these recipes for fun variations.
Sonoran Hot Dog
Place these bacon-wrapped hot dogs in a long roll instead of a traditional hot dog bun. Then, generously top them with pinto beans, green salsa, and queso fresco.
Grilling the bacon-wrapped hot dogs is a mouth-watering act. Don’t be surprised when the plate reaches 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. This Famous Arizona Food is the foundation of the Navajo taco.
Navajo Tacos
Navajo tacos start with a hot piece of fry bread, and then you pile them high with beans, ground beef, pico de gallo, lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream.
Piki Bread
Piki bread, a traditional bread from the Hopi tribe, becomes paper-thin and crispy when you bite into it. Made with juniper bush ash, it is also highly nutritious.
Prickly Pear Margarita
Prickly pear is the fruit of a cactus that grows in Arizona. You can best use this bright pink liquid in syrup form, and you can buy it online. It tastes like a cross between a pear and a watermelon and is delicious in drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona’s Famous Foods:
More Arizona Resources
- Arizona Coloring and Writing Book full of fun state facts!
- Totally Interesting Facts about Arizona for Kids
- Arizona Crafts for Kids
- Arizona State Books for Kids
Great roundup of Arizona foods. I want to try them all. Thanks for sharing
Thanks! Be sure to let me know which is your favorite!