Tostadas are one of our favorite foods EVER!!
If you’ve never had one, a tostada is a crunchy fried tortilla usually topped with refried beans) or any Mexican topping you like (we like creamy refried beans). It’s almost like an open-faced taco!
We’ve made tostadas our entire lives, and our kids LOVE them today! They are one of our go-to quick dinners because they whip up in about 20 minutes, and we almost always have everything on hand! You can purchase tostada shells to make it even easier, but frying up your own tortillas is extra delicious and takes just a few minutes (SO worth it).
If you love easy Mexican inspired dinners like this, be sure to try Taco Salad, Chicken Tacos, Bean Burritos, and Quesadillas.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Individual assembly. Lay out all the toppings, fry some tortillas, and everyone can assemble their tostadas. Easy!
- Make it your own. I love making tostadas because there are no wrong ingredients to put on top. Sometimes we do beef or shredded chicken tostadas with rice and other toppings.
- Quick and easy. It comes together quickly for busy nights. It is also great for serving buffet style, for when you have company!
Tostada Ingredients
- Creamy refried beans: Creates a flavorful base layer and help toppings stick. See Canned Refried Beans for ingredients and steps.
- Vegetable oil (½-1 cup): Is used to fry the tortillas until crisp and golden. Or use canola oil, avocado oil, or olive oil labeled for frying.
- Corn tortillas (12, 6-inch): Become crunchy tostada shells when fried. Or skip the frying time and buy a package of ready-to-eat store-bought tostada shells.
- Salt (to taste): Enhances the flavor of the fried tortillas.
- Shredded cooked chicken, beef, or pork: Add protein and hearty flavor.
- Shredded cheese: Adds melty richness.
- Sour cream: Adds cool, creamy contrast.
- Chopped tomatoes: Adds freshness and brightness.
- Optional meat – Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken, Sweet Pork Barbacoa, leftover Carne Asada, shredded rotisserie chicken, seasoned ground beef, or ground turkey
- Toppings (optional): Squeeze of lime juice, queso fresco, cilantro, green onions, peppers, olives, avocados, shredded iceberg lettuce, Homemade Salsa, Guacamole, or Pico de Gallo.
How to Make Tostadas
BEANS. Follow the steps in our Canned Refried Beans recipe.
TORTILLAS. Heat ½ inch oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tortillas one at a time for 30–60 seconds on each side, until golden brown.
Place them in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and sprinkle with salt.
SERVE. When ready to serve, top each tortilla with beans, then add any favorite toppings.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Do not overcrowd the pan, or the oil temperature will drop.
- Drain well on paper towels to keep them crisp.
- Assemble the tostadas right before serving so the shells stay crunchy! They are best enjoyed immediately.
- You can bake tortillas instead of frying for a lighter option. Brush both sides of the tortilla with vegetable oil, or spray generously with cooking spray, and sprinkle with salt. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes until tortillas are toasted and crisp, then flip over and bake for another 2-3 minutes
Tostada Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
Tostadas
- creamy refried beans
- ½-1 cup vegetable oil
- 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
- salt to taste
Toppings
- shredded cooked chicken, beef or pork; shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat ½ inch oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Fry tortillas one at a time for 30–60 seconds on each side, until golden. Place them in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and sprinkle with salt.
- When ready to serve, top each tortilla with beans, then add any desired toppings.
Notes
- Fry tortillas one at a time so they crisp evenly.
- Do not overcrowd the pan, or the oil temperature will drop.
- Drain well on paper towels to keep them crisp.
- Assemble the tostadas right before serving so the shells stay crunchy! They are best enjoyed immediately.
- You can bake tortillas instead of frying for a lighter option. Brush both sides of the tortilla with vegetable oil, or spray generously with cooking spray, and sprinkle with salt. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes until tortillas are toasted and crisp, then flip over and bake for another 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare the beans ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- Warm them up right before serving on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding additional milk, if needed, to make them smooth again.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
This tostada recipe is best when prepared right before serving. However, you can fry the shells, mix up the beans, and prepare any toppings 1-2 days before and keep them in separate air-tight containers. Heat the beans before assembling the tostadas.
Un-topped tostada shells can be kept in a bag or container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
Topped tostadas. The beans can stay on, but remove as much of the lettuce and other toppings as you can. Store in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat and then add toppings.
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This recipe was first shared July 2019.
I love parmesan cheese on my tostados and tacos.
Great option!! Thank you for sharing that!
skip frying tortillas and taco shells just buy fresh uncooked tortillas heat dry skillet and cook till crisp
That would work too!
I just love you’re work babbeeee! It’s so amazing I just want to be like you and make my munchkins happy and full of your delicious masterpiece. My cutie would also destroy these after a long day of hard work.
This is really flavorful! Super loved the seasonings in it! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing tostadas recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Another favOrite recipe! My family loves these. I think they come together pretty quickly. I also love the salad on top. What a great combination of flavors.