Bean Tostadas
Crisp tostadas piled with refried beans, salsa, and cheese.
Ingredients
- 8 Tostada shells
- 2 tin Pinto beans
- 100 g Queso fresco
- 1 Tomato
- ½ Onion
- 2 tbsp Neutral oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 Avocado (optional)
Method
- Warm and mash the pinto beans in the oil with the salt over medium heat until thick and spreadable.
- While the beans warm, chop the tomato and onion.
- Spread the warm refried beans evenly onto the tostada shells.
- Top with queso fresco, avocado, and the chopped tomato and onion, and serve.
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About Bean Tostadas
Bean tostadas are a cornerstone of Mexican antojitos — the everyday snacks and light meals built on the tortilla. A tostada is simply a corn tortilla fried or baked flat and rigid, and here it becomes a crisp, edible plate for a smear of warm refried pinto beans and a pile of fresh toppings. It is the kind of quick, forgiving dish assembled across Mexico and the American Southwest whenever there are beans in the pot and a few things to chop, spanning humble weeknight food and street-stall staple alike.
The pleasure is in the layering of textures: the tostada shatters, the mashed beans are warm and savory and hold everything in place, and then come the cool contrasts — crumbly, faintly salty queso fresco, creamy avocado, and the bright bite of raw tomato and onion. Mashing the pinto beans right in the oil until thick and spreadable is what makes them cling instead of sliding off. This version is vegetarian, high in protein and fiber, and comes together in under twenty minutes, which makes it a genuinely good fast lunch or dinner. A squeeze of lime or a spoon of salsa on top sharpens the whole thing and is well worth adding if you have it.
Bean Tostadas: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Bean Tostadas?
A serving has about 461 calories — 17.7g protein, 53.9g carbs, 20.7g fat, 13.1g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Bean Tostadas gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Bean Tostadas has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
Is Bean Tostadas dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Queso fresco. Swapping it for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Bean Tostadas?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out avocado — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Bean Tostadas make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.