Bean tostadas made in the air fryer with Mexican street corn are a simple, flavorful meal that pairs crisp tostada shells with seasoned refried beans, melted cheese, creamy avocado, and a bright, tangy corn topping. This recipe is quick to prepare, high in protein and fiber, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
For more air fryer ideas, try other popular recipes such as Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts, Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas, or Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu.
If you enjoyed this, consider making Air Fryer Tortilla Chips (Low Carb), Air Fryer Steak Fajitas, or an Air Fryer Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell copycat) for more tasty air-fryer meals.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
These bean tostadas are versatile, nutritious, and full of texture. The air fryer crisps the tortillas to perfect crunch while the warm refried beans and melted cheese create a satisfying base. A spread of mashed avocado adds creaminess and the Mexican street corn brings brightness with cilantro, red onion, and a touch of chili.
The dish is easy to customize—add extra toppings like salsa, lime, or cotija-style cheese—or scale the recipe for larger groups. It’s a fast, flavorful choice for anyone wanting a Mexican-inspired meal without a lot of fuss.
Ingredients Needed
- 8 yellow or white corn tortillas
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 cup reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
- 2–3 avocados
Mexican Street Corn
- 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon red onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
How to Make Air Fryer Tostadas
- Prepare the Mexican street corn: In a bowl, combine the drained corn, chopped cilantro, red onion, minced garlic, mayo, and chili powder. Taste and adjust seasoning. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Make crispy tostada shells: Preheat the oven to 400°F (if using the oven). Lightly spray both sides of each corn tortilla with a butter or oil spray and bake for 8–12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. (Alternatively, you can crisp tortillas in the air fryer.)
- Prepare the avocado: Mash the avocados in a bowl with a fork until spreadable. Add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime if desired.
- Assemble: Spread about a heaping tablespoon of refried beans on each tostada, then add a tablespoon of mashed avocado (or to taste). Top with a spoonful of the Mexican street corn and garnish with extra cilantro if desired.
- Air fryer finishing (optional): Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spread beans on the tostada shells, sprinkle with cheese, and place a single layer in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove, then top with Mexican street corn and remaining avocado.
Tips for Using Air Fryers
The air fryer is ideal for quick, simple cooking—try it for bacon-wrapped chicken, steak, or hard-boiled eggs. Cook items in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket so food cooks evenly and crisps properly.
Overcrowding: Work in batches if needed. Leaving space around each tostada ensures consistent heat circulation and the best crisp texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Starches: Serve with Air Fryer Tortilla Chips or a side of smoked queso for dipping.
- Vegetables: Fresh blender salsa or Cowboy Caviar make excellent toppings or sides.
- Extras: A classic guacamole, lime wedges, or pickled jalapeños complement these tostadas nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—tostadas crisp up quickly. If using the air fryer to crisp tortillas, check them after a few minutes because times vary by model.
Store components separately in airtight containers: tostada shells (kept dry) and toppings (beans, corn mix, mashed avocado) refrigerated. Assembled tostadas are best eaten within a day to keep shells crisp.
Some air fryers require preheating while others do not—check your appliance manual. If food cooks unevenly, try preheating next time.
More Recipes to Try
Air Fryer Desserts-
Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
-
2 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Berry Cobbler
-
Best Air Fryer Appetizers
If you try these Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn Tostadas or other recipes from this collection, please leave a star rating and share your experience in the comments. Your feedback helps improve future recipes.
Mexican Street Corn Tostadas
- Author: Jenna
- Prep Time: 3 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 8 min
- Yield: 8
- Category: Easy
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Bean tostadas made in the air fryer with Mexican street corn are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines crispy tostadas with seasoned refried beans and flavorful Mexican street corn.
Ingredients
- 8 yellow or white corn tortillas
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 cup reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
- 2–3 avocados
Mexican Street Corn
- 1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon red onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients for the street corn (drained corn, cilantro, red onion, garlic, mayo, and chili powder) in a bowl. Set aside.
- Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray both sides of each corn tortilla with butter or oil spray and bake 8–12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
- Mash the avocados in a medium bowl until spreadable.
- Assemble tostadas by spreading a heaping tablespoon of refried beans on each shell, adding about 1 tablespoon of mashed avocado, and topping with Mexican street corn. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
- Air Fryer option: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spread beans on each shell, top with cheese, and place in a single layer in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes until the cheese melts. Remove and finish with street corn and avocado.
Notes
myWW points: Blue Points: 2; Green Points: 6; Purple Points: 2
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tostada
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g