Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Tacos Recipe | Easy Dessert Tacos with Strawberry Shortcake Crumble

Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Tacos 1
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Okay, let me just start with this: strawberry crunch cheesecake tacos are not a want… they’re a need. You know that dessert that looks super extra, but once you try it, you’re like “oh no, I’m going to be making this every weekend”? Yeah, that’s this one.

I stumbled across the idea of cheesecake tacos when I was mindlessly scrolling Pinterest (late at night, of course… when else do those food cravings hit hardest?). The first photo I saw looked like a mash-up between a carnival funnel cake and my grandma’s Sunday strawberry shortcake. I clicked. I fell down the rabbit hole. And now here I am, writing this article because I might have become a little too obsessed with testing every variation I could get my hands on.

If you’re here because you Googled strawberry crunch cheesecake tacos recipe, you’re in the right place. I’ve gone through all the top recipes out there, tested them in my own kitchen (sometimes with tragic results, sometimes with genius-level wins), and pulled together not just a recipe, but all the tips, tricks, and little secrets that’ll make yours turn out bakery-worthy.

And hey, if you want a dessert that will break Pinterest and possibly make your in-laws finally think you’re the family’s baking queen… you might want to stick around.


What Are Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Tacos, Anyway?

Imagine this: a crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated taco shell (yep, a taco shell for dessert). Inside, a rich, fluffy cheesecake filling. On top? Fresh strawberries and that iconic strawberry shortcake ice cream bar crumble. Basically, it’s like cheesecake, tacos, and nostalgia had a beautiful little baby.

And before you ask—no, this is not one of those trendy recipes that looks great in photos but tastes like cardboard in real life. These taste just as good as they look.


Why These Dessert Tacos Went Viral

I get it—some recipes blow up on TikTok or Pinterest because they’re “cute,” but they don’t always live up to the hype. These? Oh, they deliver. Here’s why people can’t stop making them:

  • That Crunch Factor – The combo of fried (or baked, if you want lighter) taco shells dusted in cinnamon sugar is next-level.
  • The Creaminess – The cheesecake filling is smooth and tangy, balancing out the sweetness.
  • The Nostalgia – If you grew up chasing down the ice cream truck for those Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bars, that crumb topping will hit you right in the feels.
  • They’re Insta-Bait – Not gonna lie, these photograph ridiculously well.

Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Tacos Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy here, but a few tools and ingredients really do make life easier. Here’s the lineup:

For the Taco Shells:

  • Small flour tortillas
  • Oil for frying (I like canola)
  • Sugar + cinnamon mix

👉 Pro tip: I use a taco shell fryer mold to get perfect shapes every time. This one on Amazon is a lifesaver: Norpro Stainless Steel Taco Press. No more floppy “oops-that’s-a-calzone” situations.

For the Filling:

  • Cream cheese (room temp)
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract

👉 If you don’t already own a hand mixer, now’s the time. Beating cream cheese by hand is not fun, trust me. I’ve been using this KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer, and it’s been rock solid.

For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:

  • Golden Oreos (yep, you’ll be smashing cookies—therapeutic, right?)
  • Freeze-dried strawberries
  • A touch of butter

👉 Want to save time? These Crispy Freeze-Dried Strawberries from Amazon are perfect.


Step-by-Step: How to Make Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Tacos

I’m going to break this down so even if you’ve never fried a tortilla in your life, you’ll nail it.

1. Make Your Crunchy Topping First

  • Smash about 15 Golden Oreos in a zip-top bag (go ahead, take your frustrations out).
  • Toss in freeze-dried strawberries. Crush them too.
  • Melt 3 tbsp butter and stir it into the mixture until it’s crumbly.

2. Fry Up the Taco Shells

  • Heat oil to 350°F.
  • Fry tortillas for about 1 min per side, using your taco press mold (or fold carefully with tongs).
  • Immediately toss them in a cinnamon-sugar mix.
    Warning: These disappear if left unattended on the counter. Guard them.

3. Whip the Cheesecake Filling

  • Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
  • Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until you get stiff peaks.
  • Fold everything together.

4. Assemble Your Tacos

  • Pipe cheesecake filling into cooled taco shells.
  • Top with fresh diced strawberries.
  • Sprinkle generously with the strawberry crunch topping.

And that’s it—you’re officially a dessert taco master. 🎉


Tips & Tricks I Learned the Hard Way

Here’s where I save you from my rookie mistakes:

  • Don’t skip the freeze-dried strawberries. Fresh strawberries in the crumble just make it soggy.
  • Pipe, don’t spoon. Piping bags (or even a zip bag with the corner snipped) make your tacos look bakery-style instead of “Pinterest fail.”
  • Serve ASAP. These taste best within a couple hours of making. The shells get soft if you refrigerate overnight.
  • Cheat hack: If frying scares you, you can bake the tortillas over the oven rack bars to get taco shapes. Not quite the same crunch, but still solid.

Why These Are Perfect for Pinterest (and Parties)

Let’s be honest: half the fun of making these is the reaction you’ll get when you serve them. They’re portable, they’re colorful, and they scream “TAKE A PHOTO.”

  • Great for birthdays
  • Summer BBQs
  • Baby showers
  • Honestly, even Tuesday nights when you just need a pick-me-up

I once brought a tray to a neighborhood cookout and people ignored the cupcakes and cookies completely. These were gone in 10 minutes flat.


Variations Worth Trying

Once you master the strawberry version, you can totally riff on the idea. A few faves I’ve tested:

  • Oreo Cheesecake Tacos – Swap the strawberry crunch for crushed Oreos.
  • Blueberry Lemon Tacos – Cheesecake filling with lemon zest + blueberry topping.
  • Pumpkin Spice Fall Tacos – Don’t knock it ’til you try it. Cinnamon shells + pumpkin cheesecake filling = chef’s kiss.

Are They Worth the Hype?

Short answer: yep. Long answer: these are hands-down one of the most fun desserts I’ve made in years. They’re not fussy, they use basic ingredients, and they hit that perfect combo of creamy + crunchy + nostalgic.

If you’re on the fence, let me say this—make them once, and you’ll be hooked. Just be prepared for friends and family to start requesting them at every gathering.


Final Thoughts (and a Little Friendly Push)

So here’s the deal: if you want a dessert that’s fun to make, insanely good to eat, and absolutely Pinterest-worthy, you’ve got to try strawberry crunch cheesecake tacos.

And if you’re going for that wow-factor presentation, do yourself a favor and grab:

Trust me—once you taste that first bite, you’ll realize these tacos aren’t just a recipe… they’re an experience.

So… are you making these this weekend or what? 😉

Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Tacos Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients
  • Taco Shells:
  • 10 small flour tortillas
  • ½ cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • Oil for frying
  • Cheesecake Filling:
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Strawberry Crunch Topping:
  • 15 Golden Oreos crushed
  • ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries crushed
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • Fresh strawberries diced (for topping)

Instructions
 

  • Make Crunch Topping – Crush Oreos + freeze-dried strawberries, mix with melted butter.
  • Fry Shells – Heat oil to 350°F. Fry tortillas into taco shape, coat in cinnamon sugar.
  • Whip Filling – Beat cream cheese until smooth. In another bowl, whip cream + sugar + vanilla until stiff peaks. Fold together.
  • Assemble – Pipe cheesecake filling into cooled shells. Top with fresh strawberries + crumble.

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