Copycat Tijuana Flats Tostadas Recipe are a tasty copycat of our favorite restaurant tostadas!
Since I spent the majority of my life in Florida before moving away to North Carolina, it’s safe to say there are a few restaurants I miss.
Though I can’t enjoy their divine creations here in NC, I can certainly re-create my favorite dishes at home, right? Heck yes I can!
I’ve actually gotten pretty good at it. Today’s copycat was inspired by my absolute favorite dish at Tijuana Flats:
Copycat Tijuana Flats Tostadas Recipe
Traditionally, tostadas consist of crispy round corn tortillas with toppings piled ever-so-high into a mountain of yum. Tijuana flats breaks them in half and keeps the toppings simple and neat, which is fabulous when you are eating with friends, because said toppings don’t end up all over your face (or up your nose. don’t ask. ever)
So obviously I had to make them at home.
The neat way.
The way that doesn’t embarrass me in front of Paul. Though it won’t stop me from falling down the stairs and running into walls, will it?
Didn’t think so.
Copycat Tijuana Flats Tostadas Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 hard taco shells, baked + broken in half
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- ¼ white or red onion, diced
- 1 large jalapeño, sliced
- ¾ cup grated cheese, plus any extra desired
- black olives, optional
Instructions
- Pre-bake the tortillas while you chop your veggies.
- Layer your tortilla halves with beans and cheese and pop in the toaster oven at 350F.
- Bake for approx. 15 minutes or until beans are hot and cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and top with your raw chopped veggies. That’s it! Quick and easy!
Notes
Nutrition
So . . . How was it?!
Soooooooo gooooood! I always have leftovers from taco night, and this is the perfect way to use them up the next day without having to eat the same meal twice!
It is also glorious when prepped fresh with pantry and produce staples. The crunch and flavor of the raw veggies on top of the hot beans and cheese is absolute perfection. So fresh and flavorful! And easily vegan-ized too! I’m in LOVE with this copycat! It tasted 100% like the original, which is always fantabulous.
More Tasty Tostada Recipes
- Breakfast Tostadas
- White Bean Tostadas
- NEW! Shrimp Tostadas with easy blender guacamole
- Vegetarain Bean Tostadas
If you get a chance to try this Copycat Tijuana Flats Tostadas Recipe, let me know! You can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
If you could re-create any restaurant dish, what would it be?
Questions & Reviews
How long do you pre bake the shells for
Hi Nikki! The tortilla shells usually have their own bake time that will vary a little bit brand to brand. The ones I get usually say to bake at 325 degrees F for about 5 minutes to crisp up the taco shell.
Heat. Eat. My kind of cooking!
Made this tonight… YUM! Thanks Jenn!
eeeeeeeee!!!!! so glad you liked it! were the instructions and such okay? =)
well…I guess I must have missed step #1. I just used tostada shells, loaded ’em up, and put them in the oven. I guess I didn’t prebake anything. WAY too lazy for that extra step.
I meant to say NC is inbetween FL and VA. On I-95. LOL!
I love this recipe. I want to eat ten of them. I find it odd that we have Tijuana Flats in VA but you say you don’t have them in NC? *confusing* Because NC comes before FL on i-95. OH WELL! This recipe is better anyway!
For an even healthier spin on it: Take La Tortilla wraps/soft tacos and bake them for 5 min to crisp them up, so that you can sub them for the fried taco shell! I use them as chips, to add crunch on top of a casserole, as hard tacos, etc…I’m gonna have to try your recipe with them now!
OMG! LOVE! You have just saved my family a bundle. We eat at Flats too often!
I always have leftovers from taco night too!! So smart 🙂
Ok, I’m totally trusting you on the chili sauce…besides, you’ve never steered me wrong before! But honey, honey, honnnnnnnney…love the black olive and it will in turn, love you m’dear! I swear I could eat them straight out of a jar/can/whatever! Mmm!
I about peed my pants when I saw my all-time coveted Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grille in one of my Food Network Magazines…as soon as I make their recipe, my life will be complete! 🙂
I’m all about Tostadas… these look delish! If I could re-create any dish, it would probably be the carrot cake waffle from Paradise Cove. It was an amazing little cafe on the ocean near my undergrad.
Mhmm I love quesadillas. I’ve never tried making them, but you make it sound so easy.
Yummy! Those look sooooo tasty.
So easy – so delicious looking. I want!
TIJUANA FLAAAAAAAAAATS!!!!!!!!
that is all.;)
I LOVE that sauce and it is a stable in our refrigerator!
Oh my word … when I was going to school in Gainesville, I LOVED Tijuana Flats. It’s so yummy. I am a huge condiment fan, so I loved getting to try all of their sauces. This post brings back great memories. Thanks, Jenn! 😉
Oh yum! I have never had tostadas :O But these sure looks great!
Mmm I love a good crispy tostada! Especially when it’s PILED high with guacamole, beans, cheese and sour cream. Goopey (totally a word!) + crunchy = simply irresistible. 🙂
I bet that sweet chili sauce gives is it a sweet and sassy kick too! I’ll have to pick some up next time I’m at TJ’s!
Happy weekend, Jenn! Love ya, girl! xoxo
What a fabulous little recipe! I’ve never been to Tijuana Flats before, I don’t think they have them here in LA because I’ve never heard of it until now. But it certainly sounds delicious!
I would love to replicate Cheesecake Factory’s avocado eggrolls but I fear that once I find out how much terrible stuff goes into them I’ll no longer want to eat them!
Ok, I confess I don’t really like Tijuana Flats. BUT I have one a mile from my house and I’m willing to ship. Let me know what you want 🙂
Looks amazing! I (We) love mexican food! It’s so quick and easy to make. 🙂
Oh thanks for sharing. I am adding this to my next menu…..yes I make one of those…….any way looks delish!
As for copy cat recipes I have done several and have one coming up on blog soon – Lafayette restaurant that serves crawfish enchiladas 🙂
Billy and I both love tostadas! And so easy to make adjustments for vegetarian/vegan tostadas. Mine would HAVE to have guacamole. 🙂
I’d totally re-create the fries at my favorite restaurant Magleby’s Fresh here in Utah – but it never occured to me to try until now! I’m so going to do it. Or try it… If I’m not successful, I can, luckily, still go there this weekend!
SO YUMMY! Can you please come make me your delicious meals?
I want to re-create the Chicken Pipette Pasta Dish from Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. I had it in October and I was in LOVE. I was literally hugging my dish at the table. I didn’t even have to ask the waitress to pack up the leftovers because she could see love all over my face. I ended up carrying my leftovers around and ate it when I watched the Fantasmic! show that night.
wow they look so good. Sweet chilli sauce, I cannot say its my favourite thing, I want to like it, but im really bad when it comes to spicy things, I have to have about a gallon of water next to me, ready to cool my tongue down ahha.
awesomely yummy!! i’m still working on my favorite turkey burger – getting closer 🙂
Sam @ fitness food & faith
These totally passed the mouth watering test. I try to recreate smoothies a lot (the extent of my copycatness) though I did try my hand at a kale caesar salad, restaurant version better than mine.
Also, where in Fl are you from? I was born and went to hschool in Clearwater.
Soo.. thanks for figuring out what I’m going to make for dinner.. YUMM!
Hi! I just returned from 10 days in Clearwater and got to experience Tijuana Flats for the first time!! Or should I say 3 times!!! I LOVE it!! I wish it was in New Jersey. The closest one is in PA but not that far. I hate paying $5 to go across the bridge though. 🙁 I think it would be worth it!!
this is a must make, i love myself some tostadas!
Yum! Great way to use up leftovers!
Its 2.5 hours away in Raleigh so every 2 months Paul and I do a foodie Road trip and go to WF TJs and shop! =) I blogged about it a few times silly goose! I’m DYING for another trip once we move and get settled!
These look amazing! And, I used to LOVE tijuana flats too. 🙂 P.S. Where’d you get the TJ’s sweet chili sauce? I thought your TJ’s were MIA? I need to make something with that sauce soon. I’m thinking shrimp.
WOW! Your pictures are amazing!!!! I love me some Tijuana Flats, too bad the hubby thinks it’s “garbage” my sis and I always go there together when we meet for lunch, hehe. My fave sauce is the sweet chili too! I douse everything in it…it’s especially good with queso dip 🙂
Whew. I was seriously nervous ’til I saw the Sweet Chili Sauce pic. I thought, “Oh no…can she get Sweet Chili Sauce in NC?!” Truly, the best thing about food is the sauce and sweet chili sauce at Tijuana Flats makes everything on their menu go to 11. I’ll be bookmarking these beauties to try!
Hey Jenn!
I am going to feature your “Eat Veggies” sign on my blog today, if you don’t mind?!? I LOVE your message and want to share it with my readers! I am starting an Eating Better series and your blog fits right in with that theme! Keep up the awesome work!
♥Jessie
jessiesimperfectlife.blogspot.com
oohhh those look good. must go find that sauce!
Finally your comment system let me comment – I’ve been trying the past few days!
Anyhow I LOVE toastadas and that sauce, but would never think to combine them. Have you had a tostada at Bahama Breeze? Delicious!
Looks delish!
Also, I tried out the pizza rolls last night and they were a huge hit! Brian’s already come up with a list of things he wants to add/change for next time (which is especially awesome because it means he’ll probably be the one cooking them!)
These look amazing!!! Yum!
Oh my gosh! these look amazing *saves to faves*
Those look sooo yummy! And I am also trying to like black olives …maybe putting them on something that delicious helps!
Totally bookmarking this recipe! That looks sooooo yummy!
As you know I am having some :ahem: digestive issues lately so I think I may need to nix the spice. Sad sad sad days lately my life is so bland.. pun intended
HI i seriously love you. These are delicious looking
OH MY LANTA this looks fantastic Jenn! Your recipes never disappoint 😀
*drool*
I think I would marry Mexican-style food if I could.
Those look like amazing apps for a dinner party…. Nicely done, lady!
You’re a total genius. I’ve never been to the real restaurant, obvi, but I think I’d still LOVE this
Your creations and recipes never cease to impress me 🙂
This looks like a fab combo!
weirdly enough I’ve tried TJs sweet chili sauce on my quesadillas (which are pretty similar ingredients-wise to your tostadas) and it’s actually a amazing combo…fusion if you will
Oh wow that looks spicy haha. The photos are gorgeous btw! But I’m sure you already do now 😉
YUM! GREAT idea for using leftovers!
And, that sauce?? Yeah, we’re pretty much in love with it in our house 🙂
hate to break it to ya but those are nachos, not tostadas.
well…i guess they could be mini tostadas.
whatever they look good but that’s cuz their mexican…like me! 😉
ps. that TJ chili sauce is bomb!!!
Yum! I heart Mexican food!
Sweet baby cheeses. That looks amazing. I am totally making that, you inspirational little minx!
I’m craving Mexican flavors like crazy so these are perfect for me!! Thanks for the inspiration. =)
looks amazing! love me some mexican!
That looks delicious! I always have tons of leftovers from Taco night too. I usually just make my boyfriend eat the tacos until he can’t take it anymore! Haha!
This looks spicy and awesome, love it!
Yum! I love tostadas! These look awesome!!! Pinning it… NOW! 🙂