Garbanzo Bean & Avocado Tostadas
Few dinners can be whipped up as quickly as a good tostada recipe. This one is my mom’s creation. She made it a few weeks ago, and I loved it. I’m a big fan of these Garbanzo Bean & Avocado Tostadas because they’re tasty yet simple, healthy, and easy to make. (You can make them healthier by using oven-baked tostadas instead of fried.)
This meal will take just a few minutes to prepare but you’ll still feel like you created something exceptional! If you like guacamole, you will love this recipe – guacamole and chickpeas are delicious.
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If you’re vegan, then you already know that chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a vegan staple. I almost always have a few cans in our kitchen pantry. It makes my life easier than cooking dried beans, which can be time-consuming.
I use garbanzo beans to make wraps, sandwiches, hummus, and sauces. I’ve even made whipped cream using aquafaba, which is the liquid that comes inside the can of garbanzos.
The answer is simple if you’re wondering why I like chickpeas for this recipe instead of black or pinto beans. I love the taste and texture of garbanzos, and I know how popular they are among people who follow a plant-based diet.
They feel less starchy than other beans, so I usually don’t feel as if I’ve eaten an uncomfortably heavy meal. Plus, garbanzo beans are packed with protein—one cup has about 39 grams of it!
If you’re a fan of Mexican food, you should know you don’t need to use meat to enjoy the flavors of Mexican cuisine.
In fact, Mexican food is very vegan-friendly. Simply substitute the animal products for beans or grains, and the herbs, spices, and textures will have you forgetting about meat in no time.
For this recipe, I’m using a guacamole base. The guacamole will hold the garbanzo beans together so that they sit perfectly atop a tostada or in between two slices of bread without slipping off. (Yes – you can make a sandwich from this if you don’t want to use tostadas!)
Avocado, chopped tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, and cilantro add crunch, flavor, and freshness to this dish. The garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper add the spice you need to make it tastier and spicier, too!
If you’ve never made guacamole before, you might feel a little intimidated with the idea but it’s actually very easy to make. You don’t need any special cooking tools, either – a regular bowl and fork will do.
You’ll find hundreds of different recipes for guacamole online because everyone prefers theirs a particular way. The recipe below is simple and traditional.
Remember, guacamole should be made to your liking; don’t feel cautious about adding a little more pepper, salt, or onion – just throw it in! You can always experiment until you come upon something you really enjoy. Make sure to jot down your recipe for future reference!
Garbanzo bean and Avocado Tostadas Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 corn tostadas
- Optional toppings: salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, or crumbled queso fresco
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, mash the garbanzo beans with a fork until they are slightly chunky.
- In a separate bowl, mash the avocados with a fork until smooth. Stir in the chopped red onion, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper. Combine it all together.
- Spread a generous amount of the avocado mixture onto each tostada.
- Top the avocado mixture with a spoonful of the mashed garbanzo beans.
- Add optional toppings such as salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, or crumbled queso fresco if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious garbanzo beans and avocado tostadas!