Here in the Chihuahuan desert, we use prickly pear, pomegranates, figs, mulberry, almonds, apricots, peach, and plums. I'll be trying some pistachio next year, as well. We also have mesquite,
honey locust, honey suckle, and numerous shrubs (lemonade berry, firethorn, etc). You need to set up some swales and start improving the soil to hold more water and reduce evaporation. Evaporation is the killer.
Prickly pear and agave work really well, and if you get the domesticated prickly pear (Nopales), they don't have much in terms of spines and are easy to propagate. Get a few going, and in 2 years, take dozens of cuttings.