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Easy • Vegetarian

Spicy Black Bean and Avocado Tostadas

Crispy corn tortillas topped with flavorful spiced black beans, creamy avocado, and vibrant fresh toppings for a quick meal.

Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Spicy Black Bean and Avocado Tostadas

Say hello to your new favorite quick-fix meal! These tostadas are a symphony of textures and flavors: crunchy tortillas, savory spiced black beans, cool, creamy avocado, and a burst of freshness from the toppings. They’re super easy to customize, making them perfect for a fun and fuss-free weeknight dinner that everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Tostadas

  • 8 corn tortillas
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)

For the Black Beans

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Toppings

  • 2 ripe avocados, mashed with a squeeze of lime juice
  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese or feta
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • Hot sauce (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush both sides of the corn tortillas lightly with olive oil. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until crisp and golden. Alternatively, you can fry them in a shallow amount of oil on the stovetop.

  2. Step 2

    While tostadas bake, prepare the black beans: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Add rinsed black beans, vegetable broth (or water), cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally and mashing some of the beans with the back of a spoon, until the liquid has mostly absorbed and the beans are creamy.

  4. Step 4

    Remove beans from heat and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Prepare avocado mash by mashing avocados with a squeeze of lime juice and a dash of salt.

  5. Step 5

    To assemble, spread a layer of mashed avocado over each crispy tostada. Top generously with the spiced black beans, then sprinkle with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges and hot sauce if desired.

Tips

  • Add a dollop of sour cream or crema for extra creaminess.
  • For a little extra crunch, add finely diced radishes as a topping.

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