13 Best Tostada Recipes for Mexican Food Lovers

These 13 tostada recipes are a must-have for any Mexican food lover. They are absolutely delicious and so easy to make. 

While not as well-known as burritos and tacos, tostadas are a Mexican staple.

They’re crispy tortillas topped with your choice of ingredients. You can use refried beans, chicken, beef, or seafood. 

They’re also versatile as to when you can enjoy them.

You can serve them as appetizers or a main course. Plus, they’re perfect for any occasion. 

So what are you waiting for? Try your hand at making them tonight! Here are 13 tostada recipes to get you started.

1.  Easy Mexican Tostada

Let’s begin with a standard tostada recipe. It’s a simple, layered dish that starts with a crunchy tortilla.

To that, you add refried beans, well-seasoned ground beef, lettuce, and cheese.

Top everything off with sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, and avocados. It’s a complete meal in 25 minutes or less. 

As far as tostada recipes go, this one is pretty typical.

It’s fast, easy, and features traditional Mexican ingredients. It has plenty of flavor but isn’t too spicy. 

It’s the “cheeseburger” of Mexican food. Everybody loves it, and most people know how to make it. Now, you do, too! 

2.  Chicken Tostadas

These tostadas substitute cooked chicken for ground beef.

They also swap out black beans for refried. Otherwise, they’re pretty similar to the ones above. 

The addition of rich Cotija cheese adds extra flavor, too. If you need a quick, filling dinner option, these are perfect.

3.  Roasted Chipotle Butternut Squash Tostadas

Here’s a “fancier” recipe if you’re looking to up the ante on your tostadas. Set these beside the easy Mexican tostadas from number one.

People won’t believe they’re the same thing.

This colorful dish is robust and flavorful. It features the rich earthiness of black beans and butternut squash.

Then, there are crushed chipotle peppers and lime juice to liven them up.

Fresh cilantro and tangy goat cheese also add another depth of flavor. In other words, a lot is going on on top of those tortillas.

Unfortunately, these aren’t as quick and easy to make. Set aside at least an hour if you’re looking to whip them up for dinner.

4.  Easy Beef Tostadas

These six-ingredient tostadas are beefy, cheesy, and delicious. If you’re looking for a more Americanized tostada recipe, this one is perfect.

It’s mostly beef, cheese, and tortilla. There are some black beans and spinach, too. However, they take a backseat to the other ingredients.

These are the kind of tostadas Taco Bell would serve if they still sold tostadas.

5.  Egg and Smashed Avocado Tostadas

Who said tostadas were for lunch and dinner only? This protein-packed tostada makes a wonderfully nutritious breakfast.

It’s full of healthy fats and tastes fantastic. 

It’s bright, savory, and light. It’s one of those excellent dishes that’ll fill you up without weighing you down. 

It also takes just 15 minutes to make, so it’s perfect for those rushed Monday mornings.

Give it a try the next time you’re craving Mexican for breakfast.

6.  Pita Tostadas with Butternut Squash, Black Beans, & Avocado

Use toasted pita bread if you want a thicker, heartier tostada base.

These elaborate tostadas aren’t low-carb friendly, but they’re phenomenal. 

They combine chile powder, maple syrup, and lime juice. That gives them a sweet, spicy, tangy flavor that’ll delight your taste buds. 

They also feature some wonderfully filling ingredients. Butternut squash, black beans, and avocados are just a few. 

Give them a try if you want something fun and filling for fall. 

7.  Fish Tostadas (Baja-Style)

Kick plain old fish tacos to the curb! These fish tostadas are the new stars of the show. 

They’re sweet, savory, and just a little bit spicy. And don’t even get me started on their colorful appearance and zesty kick. 

You can use grilled or fried fish as you prefer. You’ll lose your mind over them either way.

They’re genuinely that good. Plus, you can easily make them gluten-free. 

8.  10-Minute Oven Baked Tostadas

These tostada shells prove that tortillas don’t have to be deep-fried to be delicious.

You need just three ingredients to make them: tortillas, salt, and oil. 

Even better, it’ll take you only 10 minutes to have them ready. Then, load them down with your favorite toppings and enjoy! 

These taste so good that people won’t even realize you baked instead of fried them.

They’re still as crunchy, crispy, and gorgeously golden as ever.

9.  Bean Tostadas

You don’t need meat to make them exceptional, either. Instead, pile them high with beans, salsa, and your favorite veggies and toppings. 

The recipe calls for black beans. However, both black and refried beans work well. Or you could use both if you prefer.

You can even make these entirely vegan-friendly. Just be careful in your cheese and sauce selections if you go this route. 

10. Turkey-Lime Jicama Tostadas

These tostadas are a little different from others on the list. Instead of tortillas, you’ll use thin slices of jicama.

They’re lighter and less carb-heavy than other tostada options. 

They also use lean, fresh ingredients like turkey, lime juice, and Brussels sprouts. They have a completely unique taste and are nutritious, too. 

If you’re counting carbs but craving Mexican, these are an excellent option.

11. Pulled Pork Tostadas

In the mood for a yummy Tex Mex treat? These pulled pork tostadas certainly fit the bill.

The succulent, juicy pulled pork tastes incredible with the pico-like toppings. 

The cheese adds a touch of richness, and the lime juice brightens the overall flavor.

And it’s all piled on top of a golden, perfectly crispy tortilla. 

It’s the kind of meal a hungry Texas cowboy would enjoy.

12. Tuna Tostadas

Tuna tostadas are ideal if you want something lighter and with fewer calories.

They’re packed with umami flavor, a little spice, and the freshness of cilantro.

It takes 20 minutes to whip up two, making them perfect for a quick, light lunch.

13. Tostadas {with Chicken Guacamole and Beans}

Here’s a final bright, garden-fresh tostada recipe for your culinary enjoyment. With its Rotel, lettuce, and beans, it’s colorful and attractive. 

It looks like something a swanky Mexican restaurant would put on its menu.

Fortunately, it tastes as good as it looks. The crunchy tortilla pairs perfectly with the creamy beans, avocado, and sour cream.

There’s also a wallop of fresh, spiced flavor in every bite.

They’re a bit high in carbs and calories. However, they contain a ton of protein, too. 

They’re great if you want something tasty that will keep you full all night.