Jump to:What is a tostada?Ingredients to make the best homemade tostadaHow to make awesome tostadasHow to bake or air fry your own tostada shellsHow to serveWhat toppings can I use for tostadas?Pro tips and tricks How to store Tostadas and Tostada ShellsLet us know what you thinkTostada Recipe LET’S BE FRIENDS ON PINTEREST! WE’RE ALWAYS PINNING TASTY RECIPES
What is a tostada?
Tostada refers to a large variety of Mexican or Latin American dishes that use flat or bowl shaped fried tortillas as a base. In many areas, they involve a fried, crispy tortilla topped with a variety of delicious toppings like refried beans, cheese, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, and other favorites.
Ingredients to make the best homemade tostada
When you want the best tasting tostadas you can make at home, here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Cooking spray - You could use olive oil instead. You just need a very small amount to lightly coat the tortillas.Corn tortillas - We use small sized ones, but you could use as big as you can fit in your air fryer basket or oven. You may just need to add more toppings!SaltRefried beans - You could make our homemade recipe or get a 15-ounce can from the store.Head iceberg lettuce or purple cabbage for more crunchTomatoes - or add your favorite SalsaSour cream - Omit if you want to make this recipe vegan.Avocado - a must if you ask me!Cheeses - You can use crumbled queso fresco, cotija cheese, and/or Monterey Jack cheese. Omit or use vegan cheese if you want to make it vegan.Frozen corn kernels Veggie fajitasFresh cilantro - so fresh!Fresh jalapeño - In a pinch, you could use the ones from a can or bottle.Lime slices - a little squeeze adds great flavor!
How to make awesome tostadas
Making tostadas is super quick and easy once you have the shells ready to go. Check out the section below on how to make the crispy shells, and when you are ready, here is what you need to do to assemble the most awesome tostadas you have ever tasted.First, warm the refried beans in a frying pan on medium heat for a few minutes or until warmed through.If you are using canned beans, make sure to drain them first and then add them to the pan with a little water and extra seasoning. As you add them, you can mash them a bit.Once the beans are ready and the tostada shells are crisp, start to layer toppings on each shell. We typically spoon the warmed refried beans right on top of the shells, and then add the corn, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno, sour cream, lettuce, and then cilantro and lime juice. Layer each shell with the toppings and serve immediately.
How to bake or air fry your own tostada shells
It is super easy to make your own shells at home. Here’s what you need to do.
First, preheat your air fryer by setting the temperature to 380ºF. It usually takes about 3 minutes to preheat an air fryer.Once it is ready, spray your tortillas with cooking spray on each side and season with salt to taste. Place one or two (room permitting) into the basket and cook for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, carefully open the basket and flip the tortilla. Before placing the basket back in, spray the shell with more cooking spray and add more salt if desired. Finish cooking the shell for about 2 to 3 minutes or until browned and crispy.You can try to dry the shells using paper towels.Finally, remove the shell from the basket and let it cool to finish crisping. If you don’t have an air fryer or want to make a large batch in the oven, first spray each tortilla with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Place each tortilla in a single layer on a baking sheet or two. Preheat the oven to 350 and then bake them for about 11 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until brown and crispy.
How to serve
Tostadas can make a great meal because they have just about everything you need. You can either pick them up and eat them using your hands or cut them up and serve them with a fork and knife.
What toppings can I use for tostadas?
Tostadas give you tons of flexibility, which means you can make a tostada starting with the shell base and then adding more or less whatever you want on top. Some great options include:
CheeseBlack beans or pinto beans Sauteed mushroomsAvocado Pico De GalloCornSour creamRefried beansShredded cheesehot sauceLime juiceJalapeno peppersLettuceTaco sauceSautéed onions and peppers / Veggie Fajitas
If you want other recipe ideas to serve with the tostadas, you can check out these tasty options:
Sopa de FideoSpanish RiceCharro BeansCorn ribs
Pro tips and tricks
When you make this recipe, keep these tips and tricks in mind for the best results:
Cooking oil makes it easy to get the right amount of oil on the tortillas. But if you like, you can use a spray bottle to use olive oil instead if you prefer. You don’t need a lot of oil because you are aiming for a light coating.If you don’t want extra salt, you can omit it altogether. Add as many other toppings as you like or omit ones you don’t like to make the best tostada for you and your family.
How to store Tostadas and Tostada Shells
Tostadas are very difficult to store once you make them since the toppings will make the shells soggy and unappetizing. You could store cooled, crispy shells for a few days if you like by preparing them as described and allowing them to cool completely. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container or bag. They should last for 3 to 4 days on the counter. More Mexican inspired recipes
Instant pot Rice and BeansCopycat Chipotle SofritasBolillo BreadSpanish riceRefried beansCharro beansTomatillo salsa VerdeVegan burrito bowl Tortilla chipsFlautas
More Air Fryer Recipes that you might like to try
Baked PotatoesApple chipsVegetable FajitasCauliflower WingsOnion RingsOlive Garden Bread SticksCream cheese stuffed MushroomsSweet Potatoes Air FryerAir Fryer Zucchini FrittersAir Fryer Jalapeno PoppersGarlic bread
Let us know what you think
If you make this delicious recipe, let us know how it went! When you make this, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind!
Gourmia GAF400 Electric Multipurpose Classic Rapid Air Fryer with Dual Dial Timer & Temperature Controls, 10 Cup/4.5 Qt. Capacity, 1230W, Black Instant Pot Vortex 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air Fryer Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans, 12 Cans, 1 Pound (Pack of 12) La Tortilla Factory Organic Yellow Corn Tortillas, 8-Count, 6 Packages Pam Superior NO STICK Cooking Spray Olive Oil (Extra Virgin) (2- PACK) (NET WT 7 OZ EACH) Bertolli 100% Pure Olive Oil Mild Taste Food to Live Certified Organic Pinto Beans (Non-GMO, Kosher, Bulk) (3 Pounds)
I am a mother of 2 energetic boys, referred to as R2 (15-year-old) and R3 (10-year-old) on the blog. In case you are wondering who is R1, well that is my husband.
