Molletes are mouthwatering open-faced Mexican sandwiches made with toasted bolillos layered with refried beans and shredded cheese. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or as a snack.
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Mexican Mollete
You guys, you’re in for a treat!
Imagine a warm, toasty bolillo roll sliced in half, slathered with a layer of refried beans, and topped with melty cheese. Pop it under the broiler until bubbly, then finish with a fresh, zesty pico de gallo.
It’s like the ultimate open-faced sandwich, packed with flavor, and totally customizable. Add avocado, jalapeños, or even a drizzle of hot sauce if you’re feeling adventurous. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack – basically, anytime you need something delicious in a pinch.
Depending on the region in Mexico, other toppings are added such as chorizo, chilorio, eggs, etc. What gives the special touch is the salsa fresca (pico de gallo). This is by far, the most popular way to eat molletes.
Did you know?
Although it is a dish that exists in many Spanish-speaking countries, in Mexico, they are distinguished by using “bolillos”, a dense bread very common in all regions of the country. The bread and toppings will vary from country to country.
🩷 Enjoy my friend! Ana
Mollete’s pronunciation is: moh-yeh-teh
**This post was originally published on Jan 2020. It has been updated to be more helpful.
Ingredients
Beans, salsa, cheese and bolillos are staples in my house, so making molletes is a quick option for when we’re tired of traditional sandwiches or a boring breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner!
Here is what you’ll need to make them:
- Bolillo – If you can’t find bolillos where you live, you can use any thick bread such as french bread or a baguette.
- Butter – buttering and toasting the bread before assembling the sandwich elevates it above an everyday experience. Trust me on this one…don’t skip this step!
- Beans – homemade refried pinto beans are the best for this!!! There is no way around it. Cook a batch of my refried beans and keep them in the freezer ready to go for these quick recipes. Another option are these refried black beans.
- The cheese – I use Oaxaca cheese but you can use any other good melty cheese such as manchego, chihuahua, mozzarella, or monterey jack. They all have lots of flavor but are not super strong that will overpower the rest of the ingredients.
- The salsa – the typical salsa used on molletes is salsa fresca (aka pico de gallo). However, you can use your favorite salsa … just make your pick!
How to make Molletes Mexicanos
- Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. The next steps go rather quickly!
- Heat a large skillet or comal over medium-high heat.
- Spread butter over the cut side of the bolillo roll and place buttered side on hot skillet.
- Toast the bolillo for a couple of minutes or until it’s nice and brown.
- Remove from skillet and place rolls on a baking sheet.
- Spread a layer of refried beans, then a layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake the bolillo rolls for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and it turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and top with salsa fresca.
- Serve warm.
Variations
- Version #2: Another classic variation is to add a layer of chorizo before you add the cheese then top with a salsa at the end. Or just follow your imagination to give your personal touch!
- Version #3: There is also a sweet version of Molletes that everyone loves! Molletes Dulces are a treat that you must have at least once. They’re made with cinnamon and sugar. Yum! The sweet Molletes do not need to be baked. All you do after you brown them with butter is add cinnamon and sugar.
- Note: The sweet Molletes do not need to be baked. All you do after you brown them with butter is add cinnamon and sugar.
How to Store
Use aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or an airtight container to prevent it from getting stale. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
For best results, reheat in a skillet, oven, or toaster oven to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.
What to serve with Molletes
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
Print Recipe
Authentic Molletes Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 2 bolillo rolls sliced in half long way - see note below for other roll options
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter at room temperature
- ½ cup refried beans
- 8 ounces Oaxaca cheese - or any other melting cheese (see note below)
- 1 cup salsa fresca
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Spread butter over the cut side of the bolillo roll and place buttered side on hot skillet.
- Toast roll for a couple of minutes or until it's nice and brown.
- Remove from skillet and place rolls on a baking sheet.
- Spread a layer of refried beans, then a layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake bolillo rolls for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and it turns golden brown.
- Remove from over and top with salsa fresca. Serve warm.
I made these with sweet potatoes as the bolillo and they were delicious.
I’ll definitely make these as I have all the ingredients.
Great recipe for Lenten season!
Always something good on Muy Delish!!! 👏🏻👍🏻
Muy delish and so versatile! Tuna croquettes! You can top with mushroom cream sauce or mild salsa. Great Lenten…or any day…meal!
Keep it coming, Ana! Love the Portugal pics! ❤️?
Muy delish and so versatile! You can top with mushroom cream sauce or mild salsa. Great Lenten…or any day…meal!
Keep it coming, Ana! Love the Portugal pics! ❤️?
Lo mejor para cenar o desayunar!!!
I made these Molletes the other day with your salsa Fresca and they were a hit with the family!! i love the buttery flavor. Can’t wait to make them again!
This is great to hear Claudia! Thanks for the review!
Oh wow! This looks and sounds so delicious! Can’t wait to try it
Thank you Soniya! I hope you liked them!
We had these for lunch today and just love them. I couldn’t bolillos, so I had to a baguette but they were awesome!
Using baguette instead of bolillos is a perfect substitution for Molletes. Great idea Beth and I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
What a lovely idea! I am surely trying this!
Thank you Priya!
I love breakfast and this looks and sounds amazing! We will be trying this one this weekend.
Thank you Jessie!
This was my first time making “Molletes” and this was so delicious! I loved the fresh salsa on top and it was so easy to make. Will be making this again very soon!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the molletes Kathryn! Thank you!
This looks delicious, I gotta try this for breakfast in the morning.
They are totally delicious Dahn! Thanks for stopping by!
These are great for a late night snack and easy to make! Simple, flavorful & filling.
Thanks so much Pablo! I’m so happy you like them!