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Authentic Mexican Food Recipes

Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich)

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Molletes is an easy breakfast or afternoon snack. This delicious open-faced Mexican sandwich is a classic Mexican favorite.
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Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich) is a yummy breakfast idea or perfect as a quick afternoon snack. Mexican food doesn’t come any easier than this! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Going to restaurants can be a bit of a challenge for me. I can be a picky eater especially when it comes to Mexican food. Once I was in Paris, and my friends wanted to take me to a new Mexican restaurant. I reluctantly accepted. My thoughts, How bad can Mexican food be in a foodie paradise like Paris? In short, it was terrible! The restaurant was owned and ran by Italians not Mexicans. They didn’t even speak Spanish and completely destroyed everything we ordered which I relayed to the waitress. She, in turn, sent the chef out. He explained that his menu was for his French customers and not Mexicans. Then he asked me what authentic Mexican dish I thought would appeal to the French. My response: Molletes, or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwiches.

Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich) is a yummy breakfast idea or perfect as a quick afternoon snack. Mexican food doesn’t come any easier than this! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Molletes (pronounced: mo-YEH-tehs) are made with bolillo (or a Mexican bread), refried beans, and Manchego cheese. Then topped with a salsa, usually Pico de Gallo. Do you see why I told this French chef to make this? It’s really hard to mess this dish up. So simple, even an Italian chef pretending to know Mexican food could do it.

Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich) is a yummy breakfast idea or perfect as a quick afternoon snack. Mexican food doesn’t come any easier than this! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Don’t cut the cheese. Cut the bread … In half. After you smear a thin layer of refried beans on the bolillo, add some cheese. It can be hard to find some of our Mexican cheeses in the US. I find that funny because I have NO problem finding American cheeses at my grocery store in Mexico. Molletes are traditionally made with Manchego cheese. If you can’t find it. You can substitute with Monterey Jack, medium white cheddar, or fontina. You want something that will melt easily under the broiler.

Pico de Gallo is a spicy and delicious Mexican salsa perfect for tacos or just about any of your Mexican food favorites. By Mama Maggie's Kitchen

Lastly, top the Molletes with Pico de Gallo or your favorite salsa. I like to add some of the juice from the salsa so it can be soaked up by the bread. Or add some eggs. These open-faced Mexican sandwiches are delicious for breakfast. Or add some chorizo for a mid-afternoon snack. Quick and yummy. You can see why this is a favorite in Mexico… (and maybe now Paris too). Enjoy!

Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich) is a yummy breakfast idea or perfect as a quick afternoon snack. Mexican food doesn’t come any easier than this! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich) is a yummy breakfast idea or perfect as a quick afternoon snack. Mexican food doesn’t come any easier than this! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
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5 from 1 vote

Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich)

Molletes is an easy breakfast or afternoon snack. This delicious open-faced Mexican sandwich is a classic Mexican favorite.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 2
Calories: 224kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 bolillo or bread
  • 4 tablespoons refried beans divided
  • 2 slices Manchego cheese
  • Pico de Gallo or your favorite salsa

Instructions

  • Slice the bolillo in half
  • Smear 2 tablespoons of refried beans on one half of the bolillo.
  • On the other half of the bolillo, smear the remaining 2 tablespoons of refried beans.
  • Add Manchego cheese on top of the refried beans.
  • Set oven to Broiler.
  • Place the prepared boillos open-side up on a pan.
  • Place the bolillos under the broiler for 4 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • Top with pico de gallo.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Molletes (or Open-Faced Mexican Sandwich)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 224 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 30mg10%
Sodium 498mg22%
Potassium 31mg1%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 155IU3%
Calcium 337mg34%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Comments

  1. Krysten says

    I have never heard of a mollete, but it has everything on it that I love. I mean it, I am a huge fan of refried beans and pico!

    Reply

  3. Stacey Lynn says

    5 stars
    LOVE LOVE (a billion times love!), this recipe! I might not have even been enticed to click on the link in my email but the pictures paired with your description made it unbearable to skip over! I am going, right now, to my kitchen to try these, as I have everything except the Mexican cheese ready. How true that it’s so hard to find Mexican cheese in America!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  6. Cindy says

    These sound yummy, my mom used to make something like this but she added black olives. I can remember her grating 3 kinds of cheese over a bowl at the dining table.

    Reply

  8. Cait Weingartner says

    How I wish I had one of these delicious looking sandwiches right now! This recipe looks so good, and I just may need to make one for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  9. Poonam says

    I can’t believe Ive never tried this. This sounds amazing. I will def. be making this soon! I love a good sandwich.

    Reply

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