Making molletes has never been easier! A classic recipe for breakfast or for an afternoon snack, this authentic recipe for Mexican molletes pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or cafe con leche. You can add some variety of toppings to the molletes with salsas, cheese, and different protein choices.
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One of the many things I often miss from my hometown is the cafeteria-style restaurants we call “cafes”. It's a place where you can sit literally for hours and hours with your friends over a cup of coffee. You can spend a really good time with your friends, family, or classmates like I used to do in my old school days.
So much so, a popular phrase in Latin America is: “Todo se arregla con un café”, which means everything can be fixed over a cup of coffee!
One of my favorite snacks I enjoyed eating with my cafe con leche was molletes. I usually ate it for breakfast or as a mid-afternoon snack with my friends while working on a school project.
My hometown has a historic downtown where some of the old Café’s from my school days are still open after many years of serving the local community. After my recent trip back home and being able to visit a cafe for a quick coffee date with some friends, I was really craving some molettes at home.
So, I decided to recreate the recipe myself and add all of my favorite toppings to make a delicious authentic mollete!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Molletes
Before I share my recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked and I wanted to answer.
What kind of bread works best for molletes?
Whenever I make this snack, I like to use homemade bolillos rolls, but french bread is a good substitution.
Do I have to use refried black beans?
No, you can use any type of refried beans you like. Sometimes, I'll swap out the black beans for refried pinto beans. Although, black beans are more common for Molletes.
Is there a sweet version of the recipe?
Yes, there is! This recipe is called molletes dulces. It's still made with bread rolls and butter but, instead of savory toppings like refried beans, it had a layer of white sugar and a dash of cinnamon.
Authentic Molletes Recipe
Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this recipe for Mexican molletes at home...
- Crusty rolls (like French bread)
- Butter (softened)
- Refried beans
Optional toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Pico de gallo salsa
- Chorizo
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
How To Make Mexican Molletes: Step By Step Tutorial
To make things easier for you, I am going to break down the directions to this recipe into sections.
Toast The Bread
- Preheat your broiler in the oven.
- Cut the crusty bread rolls in half lengthwise.
- Using a spoon, remove some of the inside crumbs.
- Spread the softened butter over the bread and place them on the baking sheet.
- Broil for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are golden and toasted.
Add The Toppings And Serve!
- Remove from the baking sheet and spread the warm refried beans on the bread.
- Top the bread rolls with your preferred toppings and serve.
- Enjoy!
What To Serve With Refried Bean Molletes
When I make these molletes at home, I like to top them with fresh pico de gallo salsa or red salsa molcajete. It can really be any salsa of your choice!
I also like to add shredded cheese over the top and place it back into the broiler until the cheese has melted. I usually use Oaxaca cheese or grated Muenster cheese.
For some added protein, I like to add a few crumbles of homemade Mexican chorizo.
More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe for molletes, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
I hope you make these Mexican molletes! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely,
📖 Recipe
HOW TO MAKE MOLLETES RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 Crusty rolls, bolillos or French bread cut in 6 inch length sections each.
- 2 Tablespoons butter softened
- ½ cup warm refried beans
- ¾ cup shredded Oaxaca Cheese or grated Muenster cheese* See notes for substitutes
- ½ cup of Pico de Gallo Salsa**
- Optional: 1 Crumble cooked chorizo
Instructions
- Preheat your broiler. Cut the bread in half lengthwise. Remove some of the inside crumbs. Spread the bread with the softened butter and place on the baking sheet. Broil for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are golden and crispy. You can also toast the bread directly on a griddle at medium heat.
- Remove from the baking sheet and spread the refried beans on the bread.
- Top the bread rolls with the cheese. (Add the cooked crumbled chorizo if using now). Place back into the broiler until the cheese has melted. About 5 minutes. Serve with the Pico de Gallo Salsa or the salsa of your choice.
Prieta
Mely, Mexican bruschetta is not bad but I think mollete is perfect for this delicious treat. This has everything I love, name included! Nice post ang great pictures, I hope to visit Tampico some day. Take care.
Mely
Hello Prieta,
I do hope you have the chance to visit my hometown in your next trip to Mexico. It is one of the best places to eat seafood in the East coast.
Mely
Gloria
Hi Mely. I tried sending you email but the email won't work.
Mely
Hey! Gloria. I got your email with the address.
Ziho
Mmmm qué delicia Mely, pues sí, yo diría que sería la bruscheta mexicana jejeje
Qué lindas imágenes del centro de Tampico!
Ya me antojaste para la cena y con este fresquecito rico...
Salu2
Nora
Ah Mely! qué buenas fotos de nuestro Tampico! Yo los molletes los hago igual que tu pero no quito el migajón.
Besos
zerrin
Mely, these look perfect! Love to snack on them!YUM!
Electra Myers
I almost cried reading this blog entry. I just discovered this blog today and I got hooked. Then I saw this entry and immediately recognized the picture from Cafe El elite! These are beautiful photos of Tampico, also my hometown, I haven't been there in 2 years and I miss it so much! Thank you for your wonderful recipes, I hope to be back there soon and enjoy some churros from El Elite.
Saludos Mely,
xoxo Lourdes
Electra Myers
Reading this entry made me almost break down into tears. I'm from Tampico too and I haven't been back for 2 years since I moved to Washington state. Your blog is great! I just found it today by chance, I've been reading as many entries as I can throught the day, and I just came across the picture of Cafe El Elite and I immediately recognized it. Thank you so much for putting your culinary knowledge out there, I sincerely appreciate it <3
Hugs to you Mely,
Lourdes
Mely
Hola Lourdes,
Que gusto saber que te haya traido recuerdos esta entrada, y si se suspira nada mas de acordarse de unos churros o una agua de horchata del Elite. Tambien tengo la receta de las cachetadas y el rollo de fresa. Solo buscalas en el indice de recetas.
Gracias por tu comentario tan amable y ojala visites pronto la pagina de nuevo.
Saludos,
Mely
Edward Jimenez
My mother made this for often, probably cause of 7 boys and quick and easy to make. I will make my bolillos
and make molletes for my grand kids. Its been over fifty years since I had one.