What Dessert Goes With Tacos? [16 BEST Ideas!]
Whether you’re hosting a Mexican themed dinner party for friends and you want to pull out all the stops, or you’re just enjoying your usual Taco Tuesday and fancy something sweet to round things off, there are plenty of delicious choices when it comes to what dessert goes with tacos!
From traditional and authentic to fun and creative, I’m going to share with you the best desserts to serve after tacos…
(By the way, for more mealtime inspiration, be sure to take a look at the best salads to serve with tacos, and the best sauces for tacos!)
1. Tres Leches Cake
Tres leches means ‘three milks’ in Spanish, and this sponge cake is wonderfully moist and delicious thanks to the use of – you guessed it! – three types of milk.
It’s indulgent yet light, and the best part about it is that you can save yourself a slice or two to enjoy over coffee the next morning – this is my favourite indulgent breakfast!
2. CHOCOFlan
If you’ve never heard of chocoflan, you’re in for a real treat!
Layers of rich, indulgent chocolate cake, alongside creamy flan, all topped off with a sweet and sticky caramel sauce, makes for a memorable sweet treat that’s ideal for those occasions when you really want to impress.
An interesting fact to share with your dinner guests is that this is also often known as ‘Mexican impossible cake’, as the layers ‘magically’ flip whilst cooking!
3. Fruity Sorbet
For a dessert to serve after tacos, try a fruity sorbet.
They’re light, refreshing, and easy to prepare.
You can use all kinds of different fruits, but my personal favourite is watermelon.
Blend watermelon slices with sugar and lime juice, and use an ice cream maker to create a delicious sorbet that pairs perfectly with tacos.
4. Churros
If you love donuts, you’ll love churros!
They’re fun, informal, and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Covered in cinnamon sugar and dipped in hot chocolate or dulce de leche, they are an ideal dessert choice after eating tacos.
5. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries are fun to make, and always a big hit with adults and kids alike.
If you’re up for the challenge (and don’t mind a little bit of mess!) then you can get everyone involved with making their own after dinner has been served.
Shake things up a little by using both dark and white chocolate, and if you’ve got young kids, sprinkles are always a big hit.
(If you love family meals followed by a sweet treat, you’ll also like desserts for serving after burgers!)
6. Champurrado
Champurrado is Mexico’s answer to hot chocolate, and it’s the perfect choice when it comes to what dessert goes with tacos if you want something sweet without being too filling.
The secret ingredient is masa harina, which is an ingredient more commonly used in making corn tortillas.
It’s rich and decadent, it’s thick and creamy, and it’s a great recipe to have in your repertoire over the festive season.
7. Mexican Wedding Cookies
Mexican wedding cookies are soft, flour-based cookie balls rolled in powdered sugar.
They’re crumbly, buttery, and nutty, and they’re ideal for those occasions when you want to prepare your dessert in advance and have it ready to serve without any fuss.
Serve them with coffee as a delightful addition to your taco dinner.
8. Arroz con Leche
Similar to rice pudding, arroz con leche is an ideal dessert for following a spicy taco meal.
It literally translates to ‘rice and milk’, and its beauty is in its simplicity.
Choose this one if you want a dessert for tacos that’s simple, fuss free, and authentic.
9. Sopaipillas
Sopaipillas are scrumptious fried dough balls coated with powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar.
They’re crisp fritters that can be likened to donuts, and though they do require some time and skill in the kitchen, they’re well worth the effort for a special occasion.
10. Ice Cream Bar
An ice cream bar is one of my all-time favourite options for dessert, especially if I’ve got a bunch of kids at the table!
It’s fuss free, it’s super easy, and the novelty factor makes it a whole lot of fun.
Give everyone a scoop or two of their favourite ice cream, then let them dig into any extras they might fancy.
Think sauces, sprinkles, fresh fruit, crushed nuts… The only limit is your imagination.
11. Fruit Salad
A light and refreshing fruit salad is a perfect choice after indulging in tacos.
Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Just chop up any fruits you might have that need using up, and serve with cream or ice cream, if you like.
12. Apple Pie
It might not be an authentic choice, but an apple pie is an American classic that everyone’s sure to love.
Make your own if you have the time, or pick up a ready made version at the supermarket for less hassle.
(If you love menu planning, you might also enjoy desserts that go with roast chicken!)
13. Margarita Pie
If you’re partial to a cocktail, you really need to try this margarita pie!
Bear in mind that you’ll need to freeze your pie for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, so it’s one that you’re going to have to prepare in advance.
14. Margarita Cheesecake
Another cocktail inspired dessert that’s perfect for serving after tacos, especially at a dinner parties, is this margarita cheesecake.
With tequila and orange-flavoured liquor, it’s one for the adults and it’s zesty as well as being creamy, indulgent, and super delicious.
My favourite element of this recipe is the salted pretzel crust, which is a fun nod to the salt typically round the rim of a margarita glass!
15. Lemon & Lime Cupcakes
These lemon and lime cupcakes are fun to make, and wonderfully light for serving after a spicy and satisfying meal.
Be sure to make more than you need and enjoy them later as well, as they can be stored for 3 days in an airtight container and are delicious enjoyed after lunch with a cup of tea.
16. Caramel Flan
Caramel flan is a set custard based dessert with a sweet and smooth caramel topping.
It’s best enjoyed chilled, making it a beautifully light choice for serving after a taco dinner.
Which of these desserts will you be trying with your tacos?
For more taco night inspiration, check out what to serve with birria tacos!
