Mexican Molletes Recipe
Mexican Molletes are a delicious open-faced sandwich featuring toasted crusty rolls topped with warm refried pinto or black beans, melted Monterey Jack or Oaxaca cheese, and finished with a fresh, tangy salsa de pico. This traditional Mexican breakfast or snack combines creamy beans, gooey cheese, and bright tomato salsa for a satisfying and flavorful dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Salsa
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 3 tablespoons onion, finely diced
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, diced (adjust to taste)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Bean Mixture
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 14-ounce can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup light vegetable broth
Bread and Cheese
- 3 bolillo rolls (or similar crusty rolls), sliced in half lengthwise
- Unsalted butter, as needed (optional, for spreading on rolls)
- 3/4 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare salsa: In a small bowl, combine the diced tomato, finely diced onion, and diced jalapeño. Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Sauté onions: Heat vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/2 diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add beans and broth: Stir in the drained beans and vegetable broth into the cooked onions.
- Cook and mash beans: Heat the mixture, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, until the beans soften and the mixture thickens slightly. Lightly mash the beans with the back of a spoon to create a chunky refried bean texture. Keep warm.
- Toast bread: Slice the bolillo rolls lengthwise. Optionally spread a thin layer of unsalted butter on the cut side of each roll half. Toast under the broiler until the cut side turns golden and crisp.
- Assemble and melt cheese: Spread approximately 3 tablespoons of the warm refried beans on each toasted roll half. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the beans. Return to the broiler for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Serve: Remove molletes from the oven. Top each sandwich with a generous spoonful of the prepared salsa. Serve warm immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of spice in the salsa by varying the amount of jalapeño used.
- If bolillo rolls are unavailable, substitute with other crusty rolls or baguette slices.
- Using Oaxaca cheese gives an authentic flavor, but Monterey Jack is a great alternative if unavailable.
- The beans can be substituted or combined for a different flavor profile, such as using black beans instead of pinto beans.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
Keywords: Mexican molletes, refried beans sandwich, salsa molletes, breakfast molletes, toasted bolillo, easy Mexican recipe
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/mexican-molletes-recipe/
