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Mexican Tostadas

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Discover how to craft delicious tostadas starting with homemade crispy tortilla bases. Add warm refried beans, fresh toppings, and enjoy a dish that's uniquely yours!

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:32:44 GMT
A tostada brimming with spiced meat, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, creamy guacamole, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cheese, paired with lime slices on a dark plate. Pin it
A tostada brimming with spiced meat, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, creamy guacamole, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cheese, paired with lime slices on a dark plate. | chefmelt.com

Looking for a simple DIY Mexican meal idea? My family goes crazy for these tostadas! They've got a crunchy handmade base loaded with refried beans, cheese, and all your favorite add-ons. This simple dish works perfectly for taco night - just lay out all the ingredients and let each person create their own!

What Makes A Tostada Stand Out

Think of this simple dish as a flat taco with extra crunch! My version starts with a super crispy corn tortilla, then piles on hot beans, gooey cheese, and cool fresh toppings. This handmade dish goes well with any protein you like - fish, beef, or chicken!

Creating The Ultimate Stack

The Foundation
Begin your handmade tostada with an ideally crunchy tortilla.
First Addition
This simple dish needs a nice layer of beans - they act as the glue for everything else!
Stack It High
Fill your handmade creation with tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, and cheese.
Green Touch
A handful of cilantro makes this simple dish pop!

My Top Advice

Make this handmade meal exciting by arranging a toppings station - everyone enjoys building their own! For this simple dish to maintain its crunch, only assemble your tostadas just before you eat. My version is tastiest when you combine spicy, crunchy, and creamy toppings!

Time-Saving Hacks

This simple dish works wonderfully with beans from a can - just throw in some chili powder! When I'm rushed, I grab pre-made shells for my handmade tostadas. Need a fast protein for this simple dish? Grab a rotisserie chicken and add some lime juice!

A close-up of a colorful taco topped with tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, cilantro, and crumbled cheese on a grilled tortilla. Pin it
A close-up of a colorful taco topped with tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, cilantro, and crumbled cheese on a grilled tortilla. | chefmelt.com

Change It Up

While this simple dish turns out great with grocery store items, try making your own tortillas and beans when you've got extra time! My handmade version tastes fantastic with freshly fried shells, but the quick simple dish still hits the spot with ready-made ones.

Test These Options

Into seafood? Put ceviche or grilled fish on your handmade tostada. Make this simple dish meat-free with grilled veggies and black beans. My kids can't get enough of breakfast tostadas with bacon and eggs. Sometimes I combine spicy chicken with sweet mango salsa in my handmade version - it's amazing!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the benefit of drying tortillas before frying?

Removing moisture beforehand gives you better crunch and more even frying.

→ How can I check if my oil is hot enough?

If you toss in a tortilla piece and it sizzles right away, you're good. If not, give it a little more time to heat up.

→ Can I skip frying and buy pre-made tostada shells?

Definitely! Just pop them in the oven for a minute or two to restore any lost crispiness.

→ Why dress the lettuce?

A quick mix of salt and a splash of vinegar makes the flavor pop and enhances the other ingredients.

→ What’s the best way to eat these?

Grab one with both hands—it's like eating a small pizza. Just don’t overload it or you might end up with a mess!

Mexican Tostadas

Golden fried tortillas loaded with flavorful beans, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, and vibrant toppings. Create this beloved street dish right at home.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 6 Servings (12)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 12 corn tortillas.
02 Olive oil or corn oil.
03 Pinch of salt.
04 Around 3 and a half cups of mashed beans (refried).
05 Half a head of iceberg lettuce, sliced thinly.
06 Two medium-sized tomatoes, diced.
07 An avocado or two, chopped.
08 Roughly 225 grams of grated cheese.
09 A cup of salsa.
10 A few sprigs of fresh coriander.

Instructions

Step 01

In a pan, gently warm up the refried beans, keeping them smooth and creamy.

Step 02

Put tortillas in the oven at 120°C for about 10 minutes to crisp them up.

Step 03

Pour a layer of oil about 0.5 cm deep into a pan. Heat it up until you see it shimmer.

Step 04

Fry one tortilla at a time, flipping it once, and cook until golden and crunchy—about a minute each side.

Step 05

Lay fried tortillas on some paper towels to soak up extra oil. Sprinkle a bit of salt right away.

Step 06

Keep the crispy tortillas toasty by putting them back into the 120°C oven.

Step 07

Put all the toppings into their own bowls for easy assembly.

Step 08

Take a tortilla shell, spread it with beans, and add the toppings you like best.

Notes

  1. You could use pre-made tortilla shells.
  2. Feel free to mix and match your favorite toppings.
  3. The fried shells can be prepared in advance.
  4. This dish comes from classic street food.

Tools You'll Need

  • A good-sized frying pan.
  • Tongs made of metal.
  • A couple of baking sheets.
  • Some paper towels.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Lactose (in the cheese).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 586
  • Total Fat: 33 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 57 g
  • Protein: 23 g