This straightforward tostada recipe is a quick, contemporary dinner! I pile crispy tortillas with flavorful toppings like refried beans, avocado, veggies, and cheese.
This tostada recipe is a enjoyable, contemporary, and FAST weeknight dinner. Simply load up crunchy tostadas with toppings like refried beans, crisp lettuce and cabbage, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado. Squeeze with lime juice, and dig in!
This recipe has turn into an important household meal for us currently…as a result of it’s not a real “recipe” in any respect. It’s extra of a suggestion—the toppings listed here are versatile, and in our home, everybody chooses their very own. I take my tostadas with additional avocado and spicy peppers, Jack skips the avocado and piles on additional cheese, and Ollie goes for no matter he’s within the temper for that day (typically simply beans and cheese).
Within the recipe, you’ll discover some urged toppings (my faves!), however I’ve additionally included extra topping concepts within the weblog submit. Combine and match to create a mix you’re keen on!
What’s a tostada?
Let me again up! In case you’ve by no means heard of tostadas earlier than, right here’s a fast intro:
A tostada is a corn tortilla that has been baked, fried, or grilled till crisp (the phrase tostada additionally means “toasted” in Spanish). In Mexican and different Latin American cuisines, tostadas are sometimes served with toppings comparable to beans, meat, cheese, and avocado for a snack or meal. Although not completely genuine, this straightforward recipe is one in every of my favourite methods to get pleasure from them.
Retailer-bought vs. Do-it-yourself Tostada Shells
I’m calling for store-bought tostadas right here, as a result of they’re sometimes what I take advantage of once I make this recipe. Search for them within the Mexican part of your grocery retailer—in mine, they’re proper by the chipotles in adobo sauce and onerous taco shells.
However for those who’d fairly bake or fry the tostadas your self, you possibly can. Right here’s how:
- To fry: Use the tactic from my home made tortilla chips recipe. Warmth 1/4 to 1/2 inch vegetable oil to 350°F in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven. Add a single layer of corn tortillas and cook dinner, utilizing tongs to flip the tortillas constantly till they crisp up, about 1 to 2 minutes. Switch to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the surplus oil and season with salt.
- To bake: Spray corn tortillas with cooking spray on either side and season with salt. Unfold in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then, bake in a 425°F oven till crisp, 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them midway.
Full disclosure: I want store-bought or fried tostadas to baked ones. I discover that baked tostada shells can get slightly too onerous within the oven, they usually don’t turn into as ethereal and crisp. That’s simply my opinion although—select whichever possibility works greatest for you!
How you can Make Tostadas
When you put together your precise tostadas (or take them out of the package deal, for those who’re utilizing store-bought…), you simply have so as to add toppings!
I all the time begin with a layer of refried beans, which provides protein and helps the opposite toppings stick. Then, I pile on:
- Shredded cabbage and iceberg lettuce, for crunch
- Avocado, for creamy richness
- Chopped tomatoes, for juicy sweetness
- Pickled serrano peppers or pickled jalapeños, for warmth and tangy taste
- Cotija cheese, for additional tang
- And chopped cilantro, for a contemporary completion
I season to style with salt and squeeze with lime juice earlier than serving.
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Different Topping Choices
This tostada recipe is tremendous versatile—be happy to make it your personal! Listed here are another toppings that might be nice:
Let me know what toppings you attempt!
What to Serve with Tostadas
You can completely get pleasure from these tostadas on their very own for a fast and straightforward dinner—no sides required!
However for those who’d wish to serve them as half of a bigger meal, they pair properly with aspect dishes like these:

Straightforward Tostada Recipe
Serves 4 to six
We love this straightforward tostada recipe! It is an important versatile weeknight dinner—set out the crunchy tostadas with toppings and let everybody assemble their very own. Discover extra topping recommendations within the weblog submit above.
Forestall your display from going darkish
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Unfold every tostada shell with a layer of refried beans, about ¼ to ⅓ cup.
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Prime with the avocado, lettuce and cabbage, and Cotija cheese. Add different toppings as desired. Season to style with salt and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.