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HomeRecipesDinner

Molletes

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By: IsabelPosted: 6/17/20

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Molletes - Mexican open faced bean and cheese sandwiches

Ready in only 15 minutes, this Molletes recipe is made with all the Mexican staples – bolillo bread rolls, refried beans and cheese! Top it with a little pico de gallo or your favorite salsa and enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner any day of the week.

Molletes on a plate topped with pico de gallo.

What are Molletes?

Molletes (pronounced moh-yeh-tehs) is a Mexican dish made from toasted bolillo bread rolls topped with refried beans and melted cheese.

They’re often referred to as an open-faced Mexican grilled cheese sandwich or Mexican bruschetta. I like to think of them as a simple beans and cheese on toast!

They’re a perfect option when you’re wanting to make something quick and easy for lunch or dinner, and they’re also great for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Bolillo Bread – You can easily find bolillo bread rolls in any Mexican grocery store. Many large grocery store chains in the United States have also started carrying it in the bakery section of the store where all the specialty breads are located. Alternatively, you could make homemade bolillo bread as well! (See notes below for substitutions.)
  • Butter – Because buttered bread is the best! (See notes below for substitutions.)
  • Refried Beans – Nothing’s better than homemade refried beans on molletes, but you could also use your favorite store-bought refried beans if you prefer.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese – Not only does Monterey Jack cheese melt really nicely (which is exactly what we’re looking for), but it also has a sharper flavor than other melty cheeses. (See notes below for substitutions.) I recommend buying a block of Monterey Jack and shredding it yourself for optimum melting. Pre-shredded packaged cheese typically is coated with an anti-caking powder which doesn’t always produce the best melted cheese.
  • Toppings – Molletes are typically topped with a red or green salsa to add a touch of spice and/or acidity. Pico de gallo, salsa verde, chile de arbol salsa, and this roasted tomato salsa are all great options!
A basket full of bolillo bread.
  • Butter smeared on Mexican bolillo bread
  • Toasted bolillo bread topped with refried beans and shredded cheese.

How to Make Molletes

Making molletes is as easy as toasting some bread! First, slice the bolillo bread rolls in half lengthwise, and spread a little butter on each slice. Place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp up the bread and firm it up a bit.

Next, top with refried beans and cheese. Broil one last time for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese and that’s it! Top it with some fresh pico de gallo or your favorite Mexican salsa and enjoy.

Tips and Tricks

  • Remember to move the oven rack to the middle position before turning on the oven broiler. This will help the bread from browning too quickly.
  • Make sure to keep an eye on the molletes when they’re in the oven as the bread can quickly go from toasted to burned.
  • If you have a toaster oven, you can use that instead if you prefer!

Substitutions and Variations

Don’t quite have everything you need? Here are some options that may be helpful.

  • Instead of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, you can use any other melty cheese you have on hand. Other classic Mexican cheeses that are often used are Chihuahua or Oaxaca cheese. You could also use Mozzarella.
  • Can’t find bolillo bread rolls? You can use any French bread, Italian bread, or sub sandwich bread instead.
  • Instead of traditional refried beans made with pinto beans, you could use refried black beans.
  • Adding butter or margarine is completely optional. Feel free to leave that out if you prefer.
  • To make the molletes a bit more filling, you could also add some sliced avocados, guacamole or even crumbled chorizo on top!
Molletes topped with refried beans, cheese and salsa.

Storing and Reheating

Molletes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Over time, the refried beans can soak into the bread and make it a little soggier than I’d like so I don’t recommend storing it any longer than that.

To combat any sogginess that may happen after storing them in the fridge, I recommend reheating the molletes in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes to crisp and warm them up without risking burning the bread.

More Mexican Recipes You’ll Love

  • Calabacitas
  • Migas
  • Enfrijoladas

Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Molletes

Serves: 4 slices
Print
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Molletes topped with refried beans, cheese and salsa.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total : 15 minutes
Ready in only 15 minutes, this Molletes recipe is made with all the Mexican staples – bolillo bread rolls, refried beans and cheese!

Ingredients

  • 2 bolillo bread rolls (homemade or store bought)
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1 cup refried beans (homemade or store bought)
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack shredded cheese
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo or your favorite Mexican salsa

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Slice bolillo bread rolls in half lengthwise. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on each slice.
  • Place rolls on prepared baking sheet buttered side up and put in oven on the middle rack.
  • Broil for 2-3 minutes, until lightly toasted.
  • Remove from oven and top each slice with a layer of 1/4 cup refried beans and 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
  • Place molletes in oven one more time and broil for 3-4 minutes, until cheese has melted and is bubbly. Make sure to keep an eye on it during this time as the bread can quickly start to burn.
  • Top each slice with 2 tablespoons of pico de gallo. Serve immediately.

Isabel’s Tips:

  • Instead of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, you can use any other melty cheese you have on hand. A classic Mexican melty cheese that’s often used is Chihuahua cheese, or you could also use Mozzarella.
  • Can’t find bolillo bread rolls? You can use any French bread, Italian bread, or sub sandwich bread instead.
  • Instead of traditional refried beans made with pinto beans, you could use refried black beans.
  • Adding butter or margarine is completely optional. Feel free to leave that out if you prefer.
  • To make the molletes a bit more filling, you could also add some sliced avocados, guacamole or even crumbled chorizo on top!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1slice Calories: 275kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 26g (9%) Protein: 12g (24%) Fat: 13g (20%) Saturated Fat: 5g (25%) Cholesterol: 22mg (7%) Sodium: 587mg (24%) Potassium: 21mg (1%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 489IU (10%) Calcium: 161mg (16%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Isabel Eats
Course:Main
Cuisine:Mexican
Molletes topped with refried beans, cheese and salsa.
Did you Make my Molletes?Leave a comment below and tag @isabeleats on social media!
@isabeleats

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Recipe Rating:




  1. Diana says

    Posted on 7/31 at 2:36 pm

    5 stars
    I love this quick and easy recipe. It’s a great snack or I often make it a meal with a side salad or a side of Mexican rice. Thanks for sharing, Isabel!

    Reply
    • Ana @ Isabel Eats says

      Posted on 8/1 at 1:32 pm

      Thank you, Diana!

      Reply
  2. Sylvia says

    Posted on 8/30 at 12:26 am

    Made these super delicious

    Reply

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