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Mini Mexican Pizzas

I’ll admit it – when I was a kid, Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizzas were one of my favorite fast food meals. You know, an oily taco shell filled with beans and crushed up dead cows. Then topped with another taco shell with pizza sauce, cheese, and tomatoes. As you can see from the picture below, it looks like pure decadence, right?

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Credit: John Phelan

…maybe not. Let’s give this pizza a ‘One Ingredient’ remix, shall we? This version has all natural corn tortillas, fat-free refried beans, avocado, nutritional yeast, and plenty of fresh vegetables. If you ask me, it’s even better than Taco Bell’s (but that’s not much of an accomplishment…)

We’re using smaller (5.5-inch) corn tortillas that make these pizzas great for appetizers, snacks, and even main courses if you make 1 ½ or 2 per person. I make several of these for the perfect high-protein snack after a long 10-mile run through the hills.

MPizzaPrep

Makes 3 mini mexican pizzas

Ingredients:

  • 6 small corn tortillas
  • 1 can fat-free refried beans
  • 1 avocado
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tomato – diced
  • 2 green onions – sliced
  • 1/4 cup olives – sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup lettuce – chopped
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro – chopped
  • 1 lime

Step One

Each pizza needs a bottom layer and a top layer. Lay two tortillas flat on a cutting board, spread each with a smooth layer of refried beans and a sprinkling of nutritional yeast to cover. The ‘bottom layer’ is done, set it aside. But for the top layer, also add a few tomatoes, olive slices, and some green onions.

Put these on a baking sheet and into your oven’s broiler for 4-6 minutes until the edges start to brown and the toppings begin to wilt.

MPizzaPrep

What is nutritional yeast? Good question. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast usually made from molasses. It’s packed with nutrients and takes the form of powdery yellow flakes. Vegetarians often use it for the cheese-like flavor it provides to dishes. Nutritional yeast is a common ingredient in non-dairy cheeses and makes a great topping for popcorn. In this recipe, it gives the pizza a nice cheesy taste and texture on top of the refried beans. These days, you can easily find it at most health-conscious grocery stores.

Step Two

While the tortillas are in the broiler, mash the avocado with a little lime and salt.

Take the tortillas out of the oven when they’re perfectly browned. Spread a layer of mashed avocado on the bottom layer (the one without the toppings). Then, set the top layer (with the tomatoes, olives, and green onion) on top to complete the two-layer pizza.

Garnish with cilantro and lettuce. Use a pizza cutter to slice into 4 triangles.

MexicanPizza2

25 Comments

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  1. I am following you on Instagram and when you posted this my wife and I both agreed we needed to make this, so last night we did. We love making our own homemade pizzas so this was a different twist and it was amazing. It is all nice nice to find new and exciting recipes and you are doing a awesome job.

    • Hey Curtis! Thanks so much for the feedback and I’m glad you tried it and liked it (that’s always what I want to hear) 🙂

  2. So delicious, healthy and pretty. I’ve made these twice this week already after stumbling upon your recipe. I eat a vegan and gf diet and can’t wait to check out more of your recipes!

    • Yes! Thanks for letting me know, Claudia. I’m so happy you like the recipe — I’m working hard on lots of new ones 🙂

  3. Made this for lunch today with the chai latte- both were lovely. Keep up the good work- I look forward to seeing what is next 🙂

  4. Fantastic! Simple and delicious! Would make a great dinner, but also cut up into smaller bites makes an excellent appetizer. I am vegan and use nutritional yeast often. It does provide that cheesy flavor, but also packs a nutritional punch with all the B vitamins it contains.

  5. It’s this kind of recipe that makes me not want to go to a restaurant- home is better! So glad I’ve come across this website 🙂 …..A+!

  6. Another hit! so good ! delicious food ,SOUL FOOD! WITHOUT THE SOULS! THANK YOU for all of the wonderful vegan recipes ,it should be the only way to cook and eat.

  7. Cans are very processed foods and full of BPA’s. I would love to see some recipes without canned ingredients.

    Thanks!!

    • You can easily make your own refried beans, just cook them with onion, garlic and salt, once they ar cooked, mashed them and fried them. Don’t need to use cans 🙂

  8. I’d love to take this into a work potluck (love the smaller pieces idea from Lori Anthony!), but I’m wondering if it’s good cold?

    • Hmm. I’m probably not the best judge of this because I like almost any food cold, haha. So *I* think it would be fine, but you might want to try it out and get a second opinion 🙂

  9. Heya,
    I have a question, what corn tortillas have you found with just one ingredient? I have just started a new unprocessed way of life and have been making my corn tortillas/wholemeal wraps from scratch. Let me know! Thanks

    • A lot of corn tortilla brands have nothing but corn and lime (the mineral, not the citrus). I know for sure the Trader Joe’s brand does and there are a few others as well. Good luck!

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