If you’ve been searching for a fun, easy-to-make dessert that combines creamy cheesecake and crunchy tacos, look no further than Cheesecake Tacos. This irresistible dessert recipe takes the classic flavors of strawberry cheesecake and wraps them in a crispy graham cracker-coated taco shell. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or satisfying your sweet tooth, these mini treats are guaranteed to impress. With their creamy cheesecake filling, fresh strawberry topping, and crunchy shell, Cheesecake Tacos deliver the ultimate handheld dessert experience.
Why You’ll Love These Cheesecake Tacos
Cheesecake Tacos aren’t just delicious — they’re a crowd-pleasing, creative twist on two beloved favorites: tacos and cheesecake. Here’s why this recipe deserves a spot in your dessert rotation:
• Quick and simple to prepare — ready in about 30 minutes
• Bite-sized and perfect for parties, potlucks, or family nights
• Kid-friendly and fun to assemble
• Combines creamy, tangy cheesecake with crispy, sweet taco shells
• Highly customizable with endless topping possibilities
These strawberry Cheesecake Tacos are not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor and texture that everyone will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cheesecake Tacos
• Flour Tortilla Shells: The perfect base that turns crispy and golden in the oven
• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Add a sweet, crunchy coating to each taco shell
• Butter: Helps the graham cracker crumbs stick and adds rich flavor
• Cream Cheese: The creamy, tangy base of the cheesecake filling
• Cheesecake Instant Pudding Mix: Adds flavor and thickens the filling for pipeable texture
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Whips into the cheesecake mixture for a light, fluffy texture
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling while maintaining smoothness
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavor
• Fresh Strawberries: Bright, juicy topping for a burst of freshness
• Strawberry Glaze: Coats the strawberries and adds a glossy, sweet finish
Swap & Substitute Ideas for Cheesecake Tacos
No strawberry glaze? No problem. You can easily swap ingredients in this recipe based on what you have:
• Tortilla Shell Alternative: Wonton wrappers work well for mini shells
• Cheesecake Pudding Mix: Vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix also works
• Strawberry Glaze Substitute: Strawberry pie filling with extra fresh berries
• Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan cream cheese and coconut cream
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular tortillas for gluten-free tortillas
The beauty is their flexibility — you can make them your own while keeping the creamy, crunchy magic intact.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cheesecake Tacos
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and set a cupcake pan upside down — this will help shape your taco shells.
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a shallow dish.
- Use a round cookie cutter (about 3 ¾ inches) to cut circles from the tortilla shells. You should get three circles per tortilla.
- Poke each tortilla circle several times with a fork to prevent air bubbles during baking.
- Brush both sides of each tortilla circle with melted butter.
- Press each buttered tortilla into the graham cracker crumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
- Fold each tortilla circle in half to form a taco shape and position them between the cups of the upside-down cupcake pan.
- Bake for 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the pan.
- For the filling, beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
- Add half of the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pudding mix. Beat until well combined.
- Pour in the remaining heavy cream and continue beating until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and pipeable.
- Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip (Wilton 1M recommended) and pipe the cheesecake filling into each cooled taco shell.
- In a small bowl, mix the chopped strawberries with the strawberry glaze.
- Spoon the strawberry topping onto each Cheesecake Taco and serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cheesecake Tacos
For the best results with your Cheesecake Tacos, keep these helpful tips in mind:
• To prevent air bubbles, always poke the tortilla circles with a fork before baking
• Let the taco shells cool completely to hold their shape before filling
• Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling
• If the shells lose their crispiness, lightly reheat in the oven for a few minutes
• Only assemble Cheesecake Tacos right before serving to keep the shells crunchy
Cheesecake Tacos Pairing Ideas & Variations
Take your Cheesecake Tacos to the next level with these creative twists and pairing suggestions:
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate or chocolate sauce on top
• Caramel Sauce: Add a sweet, buttery caramel drizzle
• Fresh Berries: Swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or mixed berries
• Crushed Cookies: Sprinkle crushed Oreos or graham crackers over the filling
• Candy Toppings: Fruity Pebbles, sprinkles, or crushed nuts add crunch and color
• Mini Cheesecake Tacos: Use smaller tortilla circles for bite-sized treats, perfect for parties
Storage & Make-Ahead Notes
These Cheesecake Tacos are best enjoyed fresh to maintain their crispy texture. If you need to prep ahead:
• Store the taco shells separately in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
• Keep the cheesecake filling refrigerated for up to 2 days in a sealed container
• Assemble only when ready to serve to avoid soggy shells
Why Cheesecake Tacos Are Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, celebrating a holiday, or just craving something sweet, Cheesecake Tacos are the ideal dessert. Their combination of creamy cheesecake filling, crisp graham cracker-coated shells, and fresh strawberries makes them a guaranteed hit. Plus, they’re easy to customize for any theme or flavor preference.
For your next gathering, skip the ordinary desserts and surprise your guests with these playful, delicious Cheesecake Tacos — they’ll be gone in no time!
Conclusion
Cheesecake Tacos are a delightful way to turn an ordinary dessert into something extraordinary. The crunchy graham cracker-coated shell paired with the creamy cheesecake filling and sweet strawberry topping makes every bite unforgettable. Whether you’re making them for a family celebration, a summer BBQ, or simply to satisfy your sweet cravings, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, the endless topping variations allow you to get creative and make these Cheesecake Tacos uniquely yours. Simple to prepare, fun to serve, and impossible to resist — once you try them, they’ll become a dessert favorite in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I make Cheesecake Tacos?
It’s best to prepare the components of your Cheesecake Tacos in advance but assemble them right before serving. The taco shells can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The cheesecake filling can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best texture, assemble the tacos just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
Can I make Cheesecake Tacos without using a cupcake pan?
Yes, if you don’t have a cupcake pan, you can use a taco holder or create a DIY version using rolled-up aluminum foil to hold the shells in shape while they bake. Another option is to use wonton wrappers instead of tortillas, which naturally crisp up into a taco shape when baked or fried.
What other fruits can I use for Cheesecake Tacos?
While strawberries are a classic choice, you can easily switch them out for other fruits. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, diced mango, or even kiwi all pair wonderfully with the creamy cheesecake filling. You can also mix different fruits together for a vibrant fruit topping.
Are Cheesecake Tacos suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Absolutely! To make gluten-free Cheesecake Tacos, simply substitute the flour tortillas with certified gluten-free tortillas and use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs for the coating. The filling and topping ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt this recipe for those with gluten sensitivities.
More Relevant Recipes
Print
Cheesecake Tacos: The Ultimate Easy Dessert You’ll Love
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 21 tacos 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheesecake Tacos are the perfect handheld dessert, combining crispy graham cracker-coated taco shells with creamy cheesecake filling and a fresh strawberry topping. Easy to make and ideal for parties, family gatherings, or satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 7 9-inch tortilla shells
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons cheesecake instant pudding mix
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
- 3/4 cup strawberry glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and turn a cupcake pan upside down.
- In a shallow dish, mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar.
- Use a 3 3/4 inch round cookie cutter to cut circles from the tortillas (about 3 per tortilla).
- Poke each tortilla circle several times with a fork to prevent air bubbles.
- Brush both sides of each tortilla circle with melted butter.
- Coat both sides of each tortilla circle in the graham cracker crumb mixture.
- Fold each tortilla in half and position them between the cups of the upside-down cupcake pan.
- Bake for 11 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Let cool completely on the pan.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add pudding mix, half the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
- Add the remaining heavy cream and beat until fluffy and smooth.
- Fill a piping bag with the cheesecake mixture and pipe into cooled taco shells.
- Mix chopped strawberries with strawberry glaze in a bowl.
- Spoon the strawberry topping onto the filled taco shells and serve immediately.
Notes
- Poke tortillas thoroughly to prevent air bubbles during baking.
- Assemble tacos just before serving to keep the shells crispy.
- Wonton wrappers can be used as a shell alternative.
- Strawberry pie filling can replace strawberry glaze if needed.
- Store unfilled shells in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 152 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 178 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Cheesecake Tacos, strawberry cheesecake tacos, mini dessert tacos, dessert tacos, handheld cheesecake, easy cheesecake dessert