Tostadas
Instructions
FAQ: Questions about tostadas
Explore the world of tostadas with our questions and answers below. Whether you are new to cooking or an experienced chef, you will soon be ready to make this unforgettable Mexican-inspired recipe.
Tostadas are a traditional Mexican dish featuring a crispy fried or toasted corn tortilla as the base. This crunchy base is typically topped with refried beans, which help hold other ingredients in place. Common toppings include various types of meat like shredded chicken, beef, or pork, as well as seafood options such as ceviche or shrimp. Tostadas are often finished with a dollop of sour cream, a spoonful of salsa, or a spread of guacamole to enhance their taste.
The key difference between a taco and a tostada is the tortilla. Tacos use soft, or sometimes crispy, folded tortillas that hold fillings like meat, beans, cheese, and vegetables. Their soft texture makes them easy to eat by hand. For tostadas, on the other hand, you use a flat, fried, crispy tortilla that serves as a base for toppings such as refried beans, cheese, and salad. Both share similar ingredients for toppings, sauces, etc., but differ in texture and presentation.
Making homemade corn tortillas is easy and requires just three ingredients: masa harina (corn flour), water, and salt. Mix the masa harina and salt, then gradually add warm water to form a soft dough. Let the dough rest for 10–15 minutes. Divide the dough into small balls and press or roll them out between plastic or parchment paper. Heat a dry frying pan over medium-high heat and cook each tortilla for about 30 seconds on each side until lightly browned. Stack them in a kitchen towel to keep warm until you are ready to assemble the tostadas.
Yes, you can make tostadas ahead of time by prepping and chilling all the ingredients. If you have a busy day or are hosting a party with a lot of guests, this makes things much simpler. Prepare the refried beans, salad, cheese, diced avocados, and green salsa and store them separately in the fridge to keep them fresh and tasty. When it is time to eat, simply reheat the beans until smooth and fry the corn tortillas just before serving to keep them crispy. Then, build your tostadas with your toppings.
Store leftover tostada with all ingredients separately in airtight containers. Refrigerate the refried beans, diced avocado, and other perishable ingredients to keep them fresh. Keep the fried tortillas at room temperature to stay crisp. If you already assembled the tostadas, you should eat them straight away instead of storing them.
Ingredients
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Neutral oil for frying
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|---|---|
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Refried beans
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2 cans |
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Salad mix
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500 ml |
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Avocados
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2 |
| 200 g | |
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Green salsa
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200 ml |
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Fresh ground coriander
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|
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Lime fruits
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2 |
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Corn tortillas
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8 |
Other recipes
Tips: Succeed with your tostadas
Make delicious authentic tostadas with our best tips, ensuring each bite is full of authentic Mexican flavour and texture.
Check the oil temperature for perfect crispness
Ensure your oil is properly heated to around 180 °C before frying the corn tortillas. If the oil is too cold, the tortillas absorb excess oil and turn soggy instead of crisping. You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of tortilla into the pan; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready. Fry each tortilla briefly, about 30 seconds on each side, to achieve a golden, crispy result. Using the right temperature guarantees perfectly crunchy tostadas without being greasy.
Restore crispiness in the oven
If your tortillas lose some crispness after frying or if you have leftovers, you can easily restore the crispness by reheating them in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and heat them at 180 °C for 1–2 minutes. This helps maintain their crunch without drying them out or affecting their flavour. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
Choose ripe avocados
Select avocados at their ripest for tostadas with a truly creamy and rich flavour. A ripe avocado should feel firm, but give a little under a light squeeze, showing it is ready to eat. Press it gently with your thumb; it should feel soft but not too soft. Avoid very hard or too soft avocados, as they will not have the right creaminess and may have bruised flesh.
Get a taste of Mexico with our green tostadas with beans
Mexico is just a taste away with this easy tostada recipe. Recreate the rich flavours of Mexican cuisine in your kitchen with crisp, golden corn tortillas and colourful toppings. The green tostadas have smooth, refried beans that contrast with a crisp salad mix, along with creamy avocados, white cheese, green salsa, and fresh coriander. A squeeze of lime brings all the elements together with its sharp zest.
Layered with fresh salad, ripe avocado, and green salsa
The fresh salad, ripe avocado, and green salsa on top of the tortillas are simply irresistible. The salad mix is crisp and offers a refreshing crunch, contrasting with the avocado’s smooth, rich texture. The sharp tang of the green salsa adds a lively zest and vibrant colour. Top with fresh coriander and a splash of lime juice for an amazing finish. These layers give you everything you need from top to bottom with crisp, soft, and irresistible textures.
A Mexican-inspired staple with white cheese
Sometimes, it is a good idea to experiment with an authentic recipe. We kept the basics − vegetables, salsa, beans, and crispy tortillas − giving you a classic Mexican homemade tostada but with a topping twist. Our special addition to this recipe is the white cheese with a creamy texture and comforting taste, which is used instead of the traditional choice of queso fresco or cotija. The white cheese softens delicately over the warm, crispy tostadas for a perfect mouthfeel. The mild, slightly tangy flavour of the cheese balances the richness of the refried beans and the freshness of the salad and avocado.
Try some other delicious dishes from around the world with our tasty recipes. Taste France with our tomato tarte tatin, Eastern Europe with our vibrant beetroot soup, Greece with our Greek pasta salad, or India with our paneer Buddha bowl.
Ideas for varying the recipe
Vary the recipe to fill it with the flavours you love the most. Use black or pinto beans to give you flavours and textures different from the refried beans, and consider adding spices like cumin, garlic, or smoked paprika for a deeper, richer taste.
Add different types of proteins for toppings, layering small pieces of grilled chicken, shredded beef, or sautéed shrimp over the beans. Try other vegetables, too, adding roasted vegetables like peppers or courgettes for a burst of sweetness and texture.
The salsa is also an easy part of the toppings to experiment with. A touch of heat from jalapeños or chipotle peppers in the salsa could bring a welcome spicy kick, or you could make your own red or green salsa or top with your favourite hot sauce or Pico de Gallo.