Molletes (Open-Faced Bean and Cheese Toasts)
In short: Split crusty rolls spread with refried beans and melted cheese, broiled until bubbling and topped with fresh pico de gallo. It takes about 18 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 18 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 540 kcal
Molletes are a quick, filling Mexican breakfast or evening snack: a split bolillo roll toasted with a layer of refried beans and melted cheese, then topped with fresh pico de gallo. The bread is crusty outside and soft inside, which keeps the base from going soggy. Variations add chorizo, bacon or sliced jalapeño. They use pantry staples and take about fifteen minutes from start to finish.
Instructions
- Heat the broiler to high and set a rack about 15 cm (6 in) from the heat. If the rolls have a very thick soft center, pull out a little of the crumb.
- Spread the cut sides of the rolls with the butter and set them on a baking sheet. Toast under the broiler for 2 minutes until pale golden.
- Spread 2 to 3 tbsp of warm refried beans over each toasted half, all the way to the edges so the crust does not burn.
- Cover each half with grated cheese. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is bubbling and speckled with brown.
- Top with pico de gallo and jalapeño slices. Serve hot, two halves per person.
Tips
- Spread the beans edge to edge. Bare bread at the edges burns quickly under the broiler.
- For extra flavor, add a spoonful of cooked, crumbled chorizo between the beans and the cheese.
Questions and answers
What bread is best for molletes?
Bolillo, a crusty white roll with a soft center, is the classic. A small baguette or ciabatta cut into lengths works well if you cannot find bolillos.
Can I make molletes ahead of time?
You can assemble them up to 2 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Broil them just before serving so the cheese melts and the edges crisp.
Are molletes breakfast or a snack?
Both. They are a common Mexican breakfast, and they also appear as an afternoon or evening snack with coffee or hot chocolate.
How long does it take to make Molletes (Open-Faced Bean and Cheese Toasts)?
About 18 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Molletes (Open-Faced Bean and Cheese Toasts)?
About 540 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 540 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1350 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
