Why are we obsessed with tostadas?
- Hold more toppings than hard shell tacos
- Great to use leftovers
- Can be customized to be healthy, high protein, filling, etc
In short, they should be top of mind when you need a solid but quick weeknight meal.
Tostada tips
If store buying, look for a thick tostada. Watch out for brands that skimp. Thin tostadas will break when loaded with toppings. Try a few and ideally find one with a deep corn flavor.
- Brand rec: El Milagro if you can find it.
Store-bought tostadas last a while if sealed properly. However, making your own at home is super simple, especially if you need to use up a stale stack of corn tortillas:
- Heat a few spoonfuls of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Place the corn tortilla into the hot oil and it on each side for 3-4 minutes or until crispy Alternatively, spritz corn tortillas with oil and air fry or .
Understand the layers
Crunchy platform
- Again, a thick tostada provides structure and texture to each bite
Spreadable base layer
- A bed of sour cream, refried beans, mayo, or guacamole “glues” down toppings and creates a barrier to prevent the tostada from going soggy.
Unctuous meat
- While any protein works, shredded braised meat or a juicy/fatty cut will stay on top better and add mouthfeel plus umami to this dish.
Crispy/fresh/acidic toppings
- Herbs, onions, and salsas work great here to balance the heavier toppings.
Tangy/fatty/creamy toppings
- Bonus points for extra crema, avocado, or cheese which will round out the tostada with smooth textures.
