Crispy Cheese Gorditas with Spiced Beans
Crispy pan-fried corn patties stuffed with seasoned black beans and topped with melted cheese. Ready in 25 minutes—a TikTok-worthy weeknight dinner that tastes like a street-food find.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 18g
Ingredients
- 1 cup masa harina (corn flour)
- ¾ cup warm water
- 1 can (15 oz) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 whole jalapeño, minced
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
- 3 tbsp neutral cooking oil
- 1 to taste salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Mix masa harina with warm water and a pinch of salt until a soft, pliable dough forms, ~2 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes.
- 2
Warm beans in a skillet over medium heat with jalapeño and cumin, stirring occasionally, ~4 minutes. Mash roughly with a fork.
- 3
Scoop 2 tbsp dough, flatten into a thin disk in your palm, add 1 tbsp bean filling to center, then fold edges and gently shape into a thick patty.
- 4
Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Fry gorditas 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy at edges.
- 5
Top each gordita with a handful of cheese while still hot in the pan. Cover with a lid and cook 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.
- 6
Slide onto a plate. Serve hot with lime and salsa if desired.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch cast iron or heavy skillet
- small saucepan or second skillet
- measuring cups and spoons
- fork or spoon for mashing
- lid or baking sheet to cover skillet
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