Preparing the Tostada Shells: To prepare tostada shells, bake or fry corn tortillas if not using store-bought ones. To bake, spray both sides of the corn tortillas with cooking spray, place in a single layer on a greased sheet pan, sprinkle lightly with salt, and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes on each side until crispy. To fry, heat vegetable oil to a depth of ¼ inch in a skillet, fry the tortillas one at a time, turning until golden brown, drain on paper towels, sprinkle with salt, and cool before serving.

Cooking the Meat: Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned, drain the grease, add the diced onion and seasonings (including chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper), and cook for a few more minutes. This step adds that hearty base to your tostada.

Warming the Beans: Warm the refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl or skillet, stirring in a small amount of sour cream. This makes them easy to spread and enhances the flavor.

1: Gather and prepare all ingredients by washing vegetables, shredding cooked chicken, and warming beans.

2: Toast the corn tostada shells in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy.

3: Heat the black beans gently on the stove or microwave until warm, seasoning as desired.

4: Spread a generous layer of warm black beans onto each tostada shell to create a base.

5: Add shredded chicken evenly over beans, ensuring a balanced protein layer.

6: Top with fresh shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes for freshness and texture.

7: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top; for vegan or low-calorie preferences, use appropriate substitutes.

8: Drizzle with salsa verde or roja for authentic flavor and desired spice level.

9: Finish with a dollop of sour cream or plant-based crema to add creaminess.

10: Serve immediately to enjoy maximum crispiness. To assemble, spread a thin layer of refried beans on the tostada shell, add a spoonful of the cooked ground beef, followed by shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado or guacamole, salsa or salsa verde, sour cream or crema, and optional hot sauce as desired.