Molletes con Tocino y Pico de Gallo (Bean, Bacon and Cheese Toasts)
Crusty rolls spread with warm refried beans, crisp bacon and melted cheese, finished with fresh pico de gallo.
Made with Fresh pico de gallo and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.41 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the grill to high. Grill the bacon for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until crisp. Drain on kitchen paper and break into pieces.
7 min - 2
Warm your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan with the water for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until steaming hot all the way through.
3 min 30 s - 3
Butter the cut sides of the rolls and toast them on a tray under the grill for 2 minutes.
2 min - 4
Spread about 40 g of beans over each roll half, then scatter over the bacon and both cheeses.
- 5
Grill for 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and spotted brown.
4 min - 6
Top with pico de gallo (see the base recipe), draining off any pooled juice first. Serve straight away.
Tips
- Mexican bolillos are crusty white rolls. Soft bridge rolls or a baguette cut into lengths also work.
- Toast the rolls before adding the beans so they stay crisp under the topping.
- Spread the beans right to the edges. That stops the bread burning and gives a good bite everywhere.
- Add pickled jalapeños for heat, or a spoonful of salsa taquera.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten hot and fresh. Keep leftover beans and bacon separately in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What are molletes?
Molletes are a Mexican breakfast of bread split open and topped with refried beans, melted cheese and often pico de gallo. They are quick and filling, and a popular home breakfast and snack.
Can I make molletes without bacon?
Yes. The classic version is just beans, cheese and pico de gallo. Leave the bacon out for a vegetarian plate, using vegetarian cheese.
What bread is best?
A crusty white roll such as a bolillo or telera. Ciabatta rolls or a baguette are good UK substitutes because they stay firm under the beans.
More made with fresh pico de gallo
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.