If you’re looking for traditional Day of the Dead food to serve during the Día de Los Muertos celebrations, you are in the right place! The Day of the Dead or Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday in which loved ones that have passed away are remembered, honored, and celebrated. An essential part of this holiday is the significance and importance of food. So this year, make your Día de Muertos celebration unforgettable with delicious Day of the dead foods that look good and taste even better! From Pan de Muerto and sugar skulls to traditional Mexican dishes, there is something delicious on this list waiting for you to try!
Día de Los Muertos Food and Traditions
El Dia de Los Muertos (Spanish for Day of the Dead) is on November 1st and 2nd. It’s a time when families get together and build altars to honor family members who have died. They place photos of loved ones and an array of ofrendas (offerings) like candles and sugar skulls. Plus, traditional Day of the Dead food or the deceased favorite meals also takes center stage.
Traditional Day of the Dead Food across Latin America
The food for Day of the Dead celebrations varies across Latin America. Even from one part of one country to another, it is often based on family traditions and preferences. So the Dia de Los Muertos food is as assorted as the altar decorations. For example, traditional Day of the Dead foods in Mexico include pan de Muerto and sugar skulls, tamales, moles, and more.
People use traditional Day of the Dead food as ofrendas for the altars. For example, in my home country Guatemala we make fiambre, a complex cold-cuts-and-pickled-vegetable salad. In addition, we have some incredible Day of the Dead traditions that go from decorating gravestones to a unique Gian kite festival!
Traditional Day of the Dead Food and Recipes
The Day of the Dead is celebrated across Latin America in different ways, from ofrendas to remember loved ones adorned with marigolds, papel picado and candles in Mexico and giant kites and fibber in Guatemala to gauguas de pan or bread babies in Ecuador.
Here is a list of traditional Day of the Dead food not only from Mexico but from other Latin American countries as well.
Mexican Day of the Dead Food and Recipes
Pan de Muerto | Growing Up Bilingual
Pan de Muerto or pan de Muertos is a sweet bread traditionally baked in Mexico for the Dia de Muertos holiday. Families usually make one loaf to eat on November 2nd and another loaf to place on the altar as an ofrenda.
You usually decorate Pan de Muerto with skulls or crossbones, and the round bread represents the circle of life. And if you want to try something a little different, here is a potato version of pan de Muertos from Presley’s Pantry that is delicious and easy to make.
Calabaza en Tacha | Sweetlife Bake
Calabaza Tacha is a traditional Mexican dessert often served for these spirit-filled celebrations. First, cook fresh pumpkin slices in a rich caramel sauce made from brown sugar and piloncillo until tender. Then it takes on a rich brown glaze infused with Canela, anise, and cloves. Finally, serve warm from the oven, drizzled with extra caramel sauce for a tantalizing taste of Fall!
Marigold Flan Recipe – Cempasuchil Flan For Day Of The Dead
Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate | Growing Up Bilingual
Mexican hot chocolate is dark and thick, made to be sipped slowly. It’s the ideal warm drink for a cold November night. This spicy version of the traditional Mexican chocolate caliente draws inspiration from the original hot cacao drink made by the Mayans and Aztecs.
Mayan people believed that the combination of cacao and chile had unique and magical properties. And as a result, it was a ceremonial drink. This modern recipe is much sweeter than the original pre-Colombian version, which was quite bitter.
Cempasuchil (Marigold) Atole Recipe For The Day Of The Dead
This Day of the Dead recipe for cempasúchil atole is an easy-to-make warm drink perfect for enjoying along with pan de muerto or other traditional Day of the Dead foods for Dia de los Muertos. You can make this easy marigold recipe in thirty minutes or less. The cempasuchil flowers give this atole a unique citrusy flavor and infuse this warm and comforting Mexican hot drink with the symbolism of marigolds for the Day of the Dead.
Sugar Skulls Calaveras | Presley’s Pantry
Sugar skulls or calaveras are a very important part of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations. These gorgeous sugar skulls by Presle’s Pantry can be given as a gift to friends or relatives or placed on the Día de Muertos altar as an ofrenda. 
Sugar skulls represent the soul of a departed loved one. It is customary to write the name of the deceased loved one on the sugar skull.
Conchas | Muy Bueno Cookbook
Conchas (or pan dulce as I used to call this sweet bread growing up) is one of my favorite Mexican foods. This bread covered in sugar is a traditional food often shared with family during Dia de Muertos. Of course, always with a steaming cup of Cafecito or a creamy champurrado!
This recipe for conchas from Muy Bueno Cookbook looks so easy to make. The conchas came out so beautiful!
Cempasúchil (Marigold) Cream Filled Pan De Muerto
Jalapeño and Cactus Tamales | Nibbles and Feasts
I just love all of Nibbles and Feasts’ recipes. Tamales are, without a doubt, one of the most delicious and versatile Mexican foods. You can make a tamal with pretty much everything! And this recipe for nopal (cactus) and jalapeño tamales is a fantastic combination of flavors! 
La Morena pickled jalapeño peppers are the star of this tamal recipe. Because their pickled jalapeños are so plump, it is easy to incorporate them into the masa with minimal to no seasoning. Thanks to this trick, the long tamal-making days are now short, easy, and practically effortless.
Tortillas de Cempazuchitl (Marigold Tortillas) | Spanglish Baby
Cempazuchitl, or Mexican marigold, is a flower traditionally used as part of the celebrations of November 1st and 2nd for All Souls Day and Day of the Dead. Many believe that Marigolds guide the spirits to the Dia de Muertos altar with their bright colors and strong smell. 
Cempazuchitl flowers are edible, and you can safely use them for cooking. Delicious and beautiful, these marigold tortillas are ideal for a traditional Day of the Dead food menu.
How To Make Pan De Muerto Calaverita (Sugar Skull Pan De Muerto)
Marigold Infused Tequila | Sweetlife Bake
What’s a Day of the Dead celebration without a toast to loved ones who have passed away? SweetLife Bake honors and remembers her Abuelito with this Día de Los Muertos-inspired marigold-infused tequila recipe.
This infusion takes seven days, but the tequila takes on a beautiful golden color after the second day. Finally, add a cinnamon stick to this Day of the Dead drink, giving it a depth of warmth and sweetness. Dia de Los Muertos is a cheerful, joyful celebration where we take time to remember our dead, honor them, and celebrate their lives. Cheers!
Café de Olla | Adriana’s Best Recipes
Café de olla, or Mexican coffee, is a recipe for making coffee in a pot, just like my Abuelita and Adrian’s granny used to do. It is the perfect warm drink to sip during Dia de Muertos. It is also a drink that sparks conversation and eases the pain of the soul when you lose a beloved one. And this Mexican coffee recipe is the appropriate comfort drink to have and remember all that has passed.
Mexican coffee is a drink commonly served in Mexican cuisine after a meal. It is the perfect combo with pastries or dessert, during breakfast or on those long winter nights. Any time is good for a great cup of coffee, right?
Enfrijoladas | Spicy Kitchen
Similar to enchiladas, Enfrijoladas start with tortillas filled with chicken or other meat. However, dip them in a thick black or red bean sauce instead of a red or green sauce. Enfrijoladas are another Mexican dish often made during Dia de Muertos celebrations.
You can top them off with delicious Mexican garnishes like avocado, sour cream, onions, chiles, or Queso Seco (crumbly cheese). Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Enfrijoladas are a Mexican dish you really must try!
Mole | Pati’s Mexican Kitchen
If you’ve never seen Pati’s Mexican Table cooking show on PBS, you are missing out! Pati shares her love of cooking and the flavors of her native Mexico in her recipes. Mole Poblano is one of those recipes that many families reserve for special occasions. And this mole recipe is ideal for celebrating loved ones during the Día de Muertos.
If you didn’t know, Mole is a thick sauce or paste made by grinding ingredients together in a molcajete or communal mill. And with a long list of ingredients, here is the easiest route to make Mole Poblano without compromising its authenticity and flavor. It is the perfect traditional Day of the Dead food to add to your festivities.
Guatemalan Recipes for Day of the Dead or All Saints Day
Guatemalan Molletes | Growing Up Bilingual
One traditional Day of the Dead food prepared in Guatemala for Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day) celebrations is molletes. This sweet bread stuffed with custard is deep-fried and served in a delicious syrup with panela (raw sugar) and rum.
Molletes are a popular dessert for the Día de Todos Los Santos festivities and Christmas. Moreover, it is the perfect comfort food dessert for cold weather! Here is a step-by-step recipe to make this easy and delicious dessert that will have your kids licking their fingers!
Guatemalan Fiambre | Growing Up Bilingual
Making this traditional Guatemalan dish is one of the most important customs during Día de Todos Los Santos (or All Saints Day) celebrations on November 1st. Families come together a few days before Día de Los Muertos festivities to make this giant salad. It is full of flavor and textures, with a wide variety of cheeses, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables.
Atole De Elote Guatemalteco | Growing Up Bilingual
Atoles are corn-based hot drinks originally dating back to the Aztec civilization. I made this atol de elote with sweet corn, flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. I love serving them with a crunchy cookie like the Guatemalan Champurradas that are perfect for dunking!
Atol is a popular drink during Dia de Muertos celebrations as well as during the holidays. And if you want it to give a twist, this vanilla atole from the Other Side of the Tortilla is one of my favorite traditional Mexican warm beverages.
Traditional Guatemalan Tamales | Growing Up Bilingual
Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in Mexico involve cooking favorite foods of loved ones that have passed away. Tamales are often part of the Day of the Dead menu. However, any tamal recipe will do. From the savory tamales rojos to the sweet taste of tamalitos de elote, you will find these recipes simply divine.
Making homemade tamales takes some time, but that makes them extra special. And if you want a different take, this tamal de raja from Mexico in my Kitchen with roasted Poblano peppers makes a great addition to your festivities. So, whether for Christmas dinner or the Día de Los Muertos celebration, these authentic tamale recipes are toothsomely delicious!
Ayotes en Miel – Growing Up Bilingual
Ayote en miel is a delicious Guatemalan dessert typically served on November 1st for All Saints Day, the Dia de Los Muertos festivities in Guatemala and other Central American countries. Ayote en miel (or ayote en dulce) is a delicious squash cooked in a sweet syrup of panela (unrefined cane sugar) and spices.
Day of the Dead Recipes from Ecuador
Guaguas de Pan or Bread Babies Ecuadorian Recipes for Day of the Dead
This is an easy recipe for guaguas de pan or bread babies which are a traditional Day of the Dead food in Ecuador and other Andean countries. This bread shaped and decorated like a baby has a great symbolic significance.
More Great Day of the Dead Food And Ideas:
Best Day Of The Dead Recipes For Kids
Making fun Day of the Dead food together is the perfect activity for kids during Día de Los Muertos celebrations! From Calavera sandwiches to candy trays and skull pizzas, here is a compilation of my favorite kid-friendly Day of the Dead Recipes.
Easy Day Of The Dead Food, Party Ideas, And Crafts
Plan a colorful and authentic Day of the Dead party to honor loved ones that have passed. These kid-friendly Day of the Dead party ideas are perfect for this whimsical, spirited celebration. From sugar skull-inspired recipes to Day of the Dead decorations, here are lots of tips and inspirations for your Dia de Muertos party.
25 Day Of The Dead Food And Recipes To Die For!
Get ready for Día de Los Muertos festivities by stocking up on these fantastic Day of the Dead food ideas! Here are 25 creative Day of the Dead recipes to give this year’s Día de Los Muertos celebrations a fun twist! These incredible recipes will not only make your mouth water, but they all look so awesome and fun to make
Healthy Day Of The Dead Sugar Skull Fruit Pizza Dessert
This Day of the Dead sugar skull fruit pizza or fruit dessert pizza is the perfect sweet treat for your Halloween party. Loaded with fresh fruit and a yogurt-based cream cheese frosting, it’s the nutritious Halloween treat you want your kids to eat!
15 Day Of The Dead Crafts For Kids
Embrace this spirit-filled holiday with these easy Day of the Dead crafts perfect for the whole family. From colorful piñatas and cute lanterns to traditional sugar skulls, you’ll find a fun craft to decorate your home!
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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Que hermosura de recetas gracias por incluir mi cafe de olla, very honored!
Qué rico todo!!! Me encanta el pan de muerto, desde que lo probé hace dos años, no nos falta por esta época.
Mi preferido es el chocolate con pan! Una delicia!
Muy buenas ideas Paula todas se ven deliciosas!
Que recetas tan interesantes. Hay de todo para todos los gustos.
Definitivamente hay unas cuantas de estas recetas que si o si tengo que probar, gracias por compartirlas!
Todas se ven muy ricas para disfrutar este dia en familia!
Todo se ve delicioso! Yummy!
¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
http://mamaholistica.com
Tengo muchísimas ganas de probar el pan de muerto. Y las enfrijoladas también se ven deiliciosas.
I would like to try the Café de Olla and Spacy Chocolate!
Excelente presentación, sobre todo incluyendo el delicioso y tradicional Fiambre de mi querida Guatemala. Aunque ya no vivo en Guatemala, es una tradición que disfruto mucho y preparo mi fiambre cada Noviembre.
It’s amazing! I just randomly found your blog looking for this recipe. Awesome! Good for you!
Bravo! What a great idea! Love this. I’m sure this is incredibly delicious!
That recipe looks so yummy! I’ll have to try that one. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I grew up I’m Mexico City where Molletes is a word for a meal made by slicing a bolillo bread in half and spreading refried beans and cheese on it and then baking them to melt the cheese, add pico de gallo sauce on it and enjoy either at breakfast or dinner! I love finding words in common with other countries, and learning their differences!
Thank you so much for posting this!!! I grew up I’m Mexico City where Molletes is a word for a meal made by slicing a bolillo bread in half and spreading refried beans and cheese on it and then baking them to melt the cheese, add pico de gallo sauce on it and enjoy either at breakfast or dinner! I love finding words in common with other countries, and learning their differences!
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