Tlayudas con Carnitas (Oaxacan Crisp Tortilla Toasts)
Crisp tortillas spread with refried beans, melted Oaxaca cheese, shredded pork, cabbage and avocado, the Oaxacan street food that looks like a taco pizza.
Made with Tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips) and Refried beans (frijoles refritos) and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.60 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
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 oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Spread your ready made tostadas (see the base recipe) over two baking trays in a single layer.
- 2
Warm the refried beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan with a splash of water until loose and spreadable, about 3 minutes.
3 min - 3
Spread each tostada with refried beans right to the edges. Scatter with the cheese and the carnitas (see the base recipe).
- 4
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the carnitas are steaming hot all the way through.
9 min - 5
Toss the cabbage with the lime juice and a pinch of salt. Top each tlayuda with cabbage, avocado, tomato, jalapeno and coriander. Serve two per person, eaten with your hands.
Tips
- A real tlayuda is a plate sized dried corn tortilla folded over. Two tostadas per person is the practical home version.
- Spread the beans thinly. Thick beans make the tostada heavy and it snaps.
- Add the cabbage and avocado after baking so they stay crunchy and green.
Storing and freezing
Assemble just before eating, because the crisp base softens quickly. Keep the cooked pork and beans separate in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Questions
What is a tlayuda?
A tlayuda is a large, thin, toasted corn tortilla from Oaxaca, spread with beans and topped with cheese, meat and salad. It is often described as a Mexican pizza, though it is eaten as street food.
Can I make it dairy free?
Yes. Leave off the cheese and add extra avocado and a spoonful of salsa. The beans and carnitas are already dairy free.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, if your tostadas are made from corn only, as in the base recipe, and your refried beans use no wheat.
More made with tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips)
Tostadas de Pollo con Mole (Chicken and Mole Tostadas)
GFDFEFChilaquiles de Carnitas con Salsa Roja
GFNFHPNachos de Carne con Queso Casero (Loaded Beef Nachos with Queso)
GFEFNFTostadas de Camarón al Adobo (Adobo Prawn Tostadas)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips)
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.