50 Lively Recipes to Celebrate Day of the Dead

Explore the vibrant flavors and cultural richness of Día de los Muertos with this roundup of over 50 Day of the Dead recipes that pay homage to this beautiful Mexican celebration.

Día de los Muertos is a colorful celebration of life and like most Mexican holidays it includes a festive spread of food and drinks. To celebrate, I’ve put together a collection of recipes from a few of my favorite bloggers – some are time-honored and traditional while others are contemporary interpretations of classic recipes. Needless to say, there’s a little something for everyone to join in on the fun! Check the table of contents below and be sure to pick out your favorite Day of the Dead recipe.

NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK RECIPES FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE, OAXACA STYLE

On Day of the Dead, drinks such as Mexican hot chocolate are placed on altars in order to lure the spirits of loved ones back to the living world. – Lola’s Cocina

PUMPKIN SPICE HORCHATA

Pumpkin Spice Horchata is a seasonal twist on the classic Mexican agua de horchata. – Everyday Latina

ATOLE DE ARROZ

This is a dairy-free, less sweet version of a traditional atole recipe since it only calls for rice, water, coconut milk, cinnamon and sugar. – Bricia Lopez

ATOLE DE VAINILLA

Atole de vainilla is a traditional masa-based beverage, often made with milk, and served hot. – The Other Side of the Tortilla

CAFE DE OLLA

Café de Olla is a delicious and aromatic traditional Mexican coffee beverage that has captivated coffee enthusiasts around the world. – Muy Delish

CHAMPURRADO

This champurrado recipe is made with Mexican chocolate, masa harina, milk, water, cinnamon, and vanilla. – Isabel Eats

COLA MORADA

In Ecuador, this spiced purple corn and berry drink is prepared for the Day of the Deceased celebrations. This traditional recipe is made with a mix of fruits, spices, herbs, and purple corn flour. – Laylita’s Recipes

SPICY MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

This spicy Mexican hot chocolate recipe is a spicy twist on the classic plain chocolate caliente. – The Other Side of the Tortilla

MEXICAN COCKTAIL RECIPES FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

ORANGE BLOSSOM MEZCAL SOUR COCKTAIL

Inspired by ingredients in Day of the Dead bread, I’ve created a cocktail to celebrate my favorite holiday.

CAZUELA DRINK

A cazuela voladora is a traditional Mexican cocktail that is typically made with tequila, grapefruit soda, citrus juice, and a sprinkle of salt.

STRAWBERRY BEET MEZCAL MARGARITA

The strawberry-beet combination in this mezcal margarita is perfect – slightly sweet and tart from the fresas, with a hint of earthiness from the beet.

PALOMA, LAKE PÁTZCUARO STYLE

What makes Patzcuaro’s Palomas unique is that they are served in large clay mugs called jarritos that are rimmed with chile salt and filled with fresh citrus juices and chunks of freshly cut orange.

LEMON DROP MARGARITA

A perfect blend of two ingredients creates my mouth-puckering Lemon Drop Margarita. 

BLOODY FIZZY-RITA

This brightly colored brew is made with persimmon juice, blood orange soda, and combined with tequila to create a potent potion. – Muy Bueno Blog

MARIGOLD INFUSED TEQUILA

This marigold-tequila infusion takes seven days, but after the second day the tequila takes on a beautifully golden color. Cinnamon sticks add a depth of warmth and sweetness. – Sweet Life Bake

MARIGOLD INFUSED WINE

Infuse wine with beautiful dried marigold to create a floral fragrant wine. – Sweet Life Bake

APPETIZERS FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

BEEF EMPANADAS

This beef empanada recipe combines both sweet and savory ingredients. – Lola’s Cocina

CALACA SANDWICHITOS

With just a few simple tools, colorful vegetables and cookie cutters, your kid’s meal will turn into a festive feast.  – Nibbles & Feasts

DIA DE MUERTOS EMPANADAS

These Día de Los Muertos Empanadas Calaveras (skull) are stuffed with a creamy tomatillo chicken filling and Mexican cheeses. – Sweet Life Bake

TORTILLAS DE CEMPAZUCHITL (MARIGOLD FLOWER-PRESSED TORTILLAS)

Marigold tortillas are the perfect accompaniment to the festivity’s mole, cochinita pibil or a simple queso fundido appetizer. – Spanglish Baby

EASY BAKED PUMPKIN EMPANADAS

This recipe for sweet baked Pumpkin Empanadas should definitely be on your fall and winter dessert radar. – Muy Bueno Blog

MOLLETES WITH PAPAS Y CHORIZO

Molletes are typically served for breakfast and in their most basic form, they are made with Mexican bread, refried beans, cheese and pico de gallo. – Lola’s Cocina

BREAD RECIPES FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

TRADITIONAL PAN DE MUERTO

Serve this pan de muerto warm and be sure to dust it with plenty of sugar to welcome the spirits.

PERSIMMON BREAD

Fresh persimmons are reminiscent of pears, dates and brown sugar and pair beautifully with the cinnamon, clove, and vanilla in this recipe, making this persimmon bread perfect for fall!

GUAGUAS DE PAN (ECUADORIAN BREAD BABIES)

It is a traditional Ecuadorian custom to have these breads, along with a purple corn & fruit drink called colada morada, on November 2nd for the Day of the Deceased (Dia de los Difuntos). – Laylita’s Recipes

MARIGOLD BREAD

A quick and easy marigold bread is a delicious treat to bake with your children for Dia de Muertos featuring dried or fresh marigolds. – Sweet Life Bake

PAN DE MUERTO WITH PINK SUGAR

This pan de muerto is made extra festive with pink sugar.

SPICED VEGAN PUMPKIN BREAD

This delicious treat bursts with warm, aromatic spices and the natural sweetness of pumpkin, providing the perfect balance of comfort and healthiness. – Ale Cooks

PAN DULCE: MEXICAN CONCHAS

While this recipe does take some time, the results are celebratory, and there is nothing like enjoying a sweet concha with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. – Flan and Apple Pie

PUMPKIN SPICE PAN DE MUERTO

Pumpkin Spice Pan de Muerto is the traditional Day of the Dead bread flavored with sweet pumpkin, cozy spices, and a sprinkling of sugar. – Hola Jalapeño

MAIN DISHES FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

MOLE NEGRO (BLACK MOLE SAUCE WITH CHICKEN)

An authentic mole negro or black mole sauce made with dried chiles, sesame seeds, garlic, raisins, chocolate, and warm spices. This sultry, complex sauce is traditionally served over chicken but would also make delicious enchiladas.

MOLE ENMOLADAS CON PAPA

Enmoladas combine two traditional dishes — enchiladas and mole – and a new one emerges (mole enchiladas)!

HUEVOS ENMOLADOS (FRIED EGGS WITH MOLE SAUCE)

A saucy spin on traditional huevos rancheros, these huevos enmolados pair mole with eggs over lightly fried corn tortillas. 

POZOLE VERDE (GREEN POZOLE WITH CHICKEN)

Pozole verde, or green pozole, is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, green chilies, tomatillos, and meat (typically pork or chicken), resulting in a vibrant green broth, often garnished with fresh vegetables and herbs.

TAMALES COLORADITOS

The tamal coloradito, which translates to “infused with color,” takes its name from the filling of meat cooked in a mole sauce by the same name, coloradito.

JALAPEÑO AND CACTUS TAMALES

Rather than stuffing each tamal individually, the pickled jalapeños and cooked cactus bits were added to the masa and mixed thoroughly. – Nibbles & Feasts

DESSERTS FOR DAY OF THE DEAD

MINI CREAM CHEESE AND COFFEE FLAN

Flavored with instant espresso, this homemade coffee flan has a light cheesecake-like texture that is both creamy and firm, without the “eggy” flavor that can turn people off. 

PUMPKIN FLAN

This pumpkin cheese flan combines the flavors and textures of three delicious desserts: pumpkin pie, cheesecake, and flan. 

CALAVERAS DE AZUCAR BUÑUELOS

These edible calaveras de azucar are an easy spin on buñuelos.

MARIGOLD AND ORANGE BLOSSOM SUGAR COOKIES

This sugar cookie recipe includes flavors you’d find in pan de muerto, which is a semi-sweet bread that is baked in the shape of bones and dusted with sugar or sprinkled with sesame seeds. 

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE PALETAS

There’s definitely no mistaking these Mexican chocolate paletas for ordinary fudge popsicles.

DAY OF THE DEAD COOKIES

This crumbly, decadent, Mexican shortbread cookies are inspired by pan de muerto or Day of the Dead bread. – Mexican Made Meatless

CALABAZAS EN DULCE (CANDIED PUMPKIN DESSERT)

A classic Mexican dessert for Day of the Dead, pumpkin is slowly cooked in a piloncillo infused with spices to make calabazas en tacha.

VEGAN CHOCOLATE AND AMARANTH SKULLS

The use of sugar or amaranth skulls can be traced back to pre-hispanic times! – Dora’s Table

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CARAMEL ALMOND RICE KRISPIE TREAT

Bedazzle your rice crispy treats for Day of the Dead. This sugar skull Rice Krispie treat is the perfect edible craft to make with kids.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

Mexican chocolate ice cream is a colder spin on the traditional hot chocolate that’s used for Day of the Dead.

PASTEL DE MEMBRILLO (QUINCE AND CREAM CHEESE PASTRY)

Fall fruits such as quince and guavas are often seen on Day of the Dead altars in Mexico, which is why I’ve added this quince puff pastry dessert to my list of Dia de los Muertos recipes!

SUGAR SKULL BROWNIES

Turn a store-bought brownie mix into the coolest Day of the Dead dessert. – Hungry Happenings

SUGAR SKULL COOKIE POPS

All you need is some cookie dough, frosting, your favorite candies to decorate these colorful sugar skulls and some popsicle sticks. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY SUGAR SKULLS

Dip strawberries in white chocolate and decorated them to make white chocolate strawberry skulls . . . kids love them! – Growing Up Bilingual

CALAVERAS DE AZUCAR (SUGAR SKULLS)

Calaveras de azúcar are sugar sculptures in the shape of skulls and are an essential part of an ofrenda. – Flan and Apple Pie

LOOKING FOR MORE DAY OF THE DEAD INSPIRATION?

• Papel Picado: Fun Facts, Cultural Significance, and Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead Flowers: Symbolism, Significance, and Substitutes
• 10 Creative Day of the Dead Crafts
• Unique Day of the Dead Decorations for Your Home Altar
• Bilingual Books to Teach Children about Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead Altars to Die For
• Foods Associated with Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life!
• Day of the Dead Altar: Honoring Departed Loved Ones
• Easy and Budget-Friendly Día de los Muertos Activity
• How to Make a Día de los Muertos Altar
• How to Throw a Día de los Muertos Fiesta
• What are the Traditional Colors of Day of the Dead

Originally Published: October 31, 2016