Crispy Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado Crema and Quick Pickled Cabbage

Serves 4 · 20 min prep · 20 min cook

Ingredients

• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 3 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 (15 oz) cans canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3 tbsp, divided lime juice
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• to taste hot sauce

Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush both sides of the corn tortillas lightly with oil and arrange in a single layer on two baking sheets. Bake 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp; they will firm up more as they cool. Set aside.
2. 2While tortillas bake, toss shredded red cabbage with lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and salt in a bowl. Massage lightly with your hands for 30 seconds and set aside to quick-pickle.
3. 3Heat remaining oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic, cumin, and chili powder; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. 4Add black beans and water. Mash half the beans with a potato masher or fork so the mixture becomes thick and spreadable while leaving some whole beans for texture. Simmer 4–5 minutes, stirring, until most liquid evaporates. Season with salt and lime juice.
5. 5Make avocado crema: scoop avocados into a bowl with sour cream, remaining lime juice, and salt. Mash until mostly smooth with a few small chunks; thin with a teaspoon of water if needed for drizzling consistency.
6. 6Assemble tostadas: spread a generous layer of warm black bean mixture on each crispy tortilla. Top with pickled cabbage, a drizzle of avocado crema, crumbled cotija, and chopped cilantro.
7. 7Finish with a few dashes of hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately so the tostadas stay shatter-crisp, two per person, with extra crema and lime wedges on the side.