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Molletes (pronounced moh-yeh-tehs) are what you make when you want food on the table FAST.
They always remind me of my mom. She used to make them for us when we came home from school.
Refried beans and salsa were always in the fridge. So, this was a super quick and super tasty snack to put together.
Let me show you how to make this simple yet delicious Mexican recipe…
These are the ingredients you’ll need.
Bolillo is a type of Mexican bread that’s crunchy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside.
Can’t find bolillo at your grocery store? No problemo.
Use french bread or any type of sandwich roll instead.
- Start by cutting the bolillo in half.
- Smear a thin layer of refried beans.
Refried beans can be made with pinto or black beans. Whichever you prefer is fine.
Homemade refried beans are the best, but you can also use canned beans too.
More Mexican Sandwiches
Torta de Milanesa
Torta de Jamon
Tortas Ahogadas
Pambazo
- Add shredded cheese.
- Place under the broiler until the cheese has melted.
Put a good amount of cheese on the bread. Who doesn’t love melted cheese?!
Types of cheese to use:
Monterey Jack
Manchego Cheese
Oaxaca
White Cheddar
Basically, use any type of cheese that melts well.
- Dice up the tomato, jalapeno, and onion.
- Place in a large bowl.
While the cheese is melting, make the Pico de Gallo. In short, it’s a fresh tomato salsa.
Try to make this ahead of time, if you can. The longer it sits, the better it tastes.
Although, freshly made salsa is good too.
- Add the lime juice.
- Add the salt and cilantro.
- Mix to combine.
Such an easy salsa recipe! Set this aside.
Pro Tip:
You don’t want to top the bread with the pico de gallo until you’re ready to eat the sandwich.
OR, it will make the bread soggy.
Can you see why these open-faced sandwiches are often called Mexican bruschetta?
This is the most traditional Molletes recipe, but feel free to change it up!
You can add chorizo, minced chipotle, scrambled eggs for breakfast, even chopped up carne asada. Yum!
Mexican Snack Recipes:
Mexican Fruit Cups
Mexican Charcuterie Board
After School Mexican Cookie Snacks
Frijoles Puercos
Molletes are ideal as a tasty after school snack, lunch, or breakfast.
They’re 100% yummy, quick-to-make, and always a hit with the kiddos and grown ups alike.
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Mexican Molletes
Ingredients
- 2 bolillo or bread
- 1 cup refried beans
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 2 tomatoes diced
- ¼ onion diced
- 2 lime juice
- 1 jalapeno finely diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves chopped
Instructions
- Slice the bolillos in half.
- Smear 2 tablespoons of refried beans on one half of the bolillo.
- Repeat with the other bolillo halves.
- Add Monterey Jack cheese on top of the refried beans.
- Set oven to Broiler.
- Place the prepared boillos on a sheet pan.
- Place the bolillos under the broiler for 7 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile, make the pico de gallo.
- Mix the tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
- Set the pico de gallo aside until the bread is ready.
- Top the molletes with the salsa.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was recently updated. You might remember the previous picture. 
I absolutely love molletes such a simple yet comforting dish! Your recipe brought back memories of cozy weekend breakfasts with family. The tip about using bolillo rolls made all the difference. I recently tried adding a sprinkle of tajín on top for an extra kick so good! Thanks for sharing this delicious and nostalgic recipe.
Tajin! That sounds wonderful. I’ll have to try that next time I make molletes. Thank you for your comment.
It looks so good and tasty.
I am so excited to make this for my family, and I am sure they will love this!
Very delicious. Your family will enjoy this recipe. Thank you!
Looked good so I made some refried pinto beans and roasted a pork butt for the meat . really tasty, thank you.
That’s awesome and sounds like a yummy addition.
Tank you for the bottom of my heart, you just make me remember when my mom used to make them when my siblings and me were kids.😀😔
You’re welcome. I love food memories!
I remember having this at a restaurant back home but never knew how to make it until now! I’m so excited to give this a try as I’ve craved these in the past. They look so good!
Yes, they are. Hope you try them. This is a really easy recipe!
I am in love with these Mexican Molletes! These were so easy and so good. I am a sucker for anything mexican and my whole family loved these. Thanks for such an easy to follow recipe.
It’s always a great feeling when a recipe turns out to be a hit, especially when it’s a family favorite. Thank you!
In Venezuela, my home country bolillos are known as pan francés. I made your molletes with pan francés and they were simply delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Yum! I had no idea they were made in other countries. Thank you for teaching me!
We will definitely make molletes more often after trying these! They came together so quickly, and I’m a sucker for anything with plenty of melted cheese. Absolutely delicious!
So glad to hear that you enjoyed these Mexican Molletes. I totally agree with you about the melted cheese – it just makes everything better!
Mexican food is one of my favorite but never tried open Sandwich before. Looks beautiful and great recipe. Thanks for sharing
So happy to hear that you’re a fan of Mexican food, these Mexican Molletes are definitely a favorite of mine. Hope you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do!
My youngest loves refried beans. This is a new go to for those days he’s being picky.
Great to hear that! Refried beans can be a great source of protein and a tasty addition to many dishes. I’m glad this recipe is a hit with your family!
This recipe is new to me and sounds delicious and so easy to make. I need to go buy some bolillo rolls.
You won’t regret it! These Mexican Molletes are a delicious and easy-to-make meal. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Wow! So delicious!
Thank you! 🙂