Pan-Fried Tlacoyos Filled with Refried Pinto Beans and Queso Oaxaca

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Oval-shaped corn masa patties stuffed with creamy refried pinto beans and melted queso Oaxaca, gently pan-fried to golden perfection and garnished with nopales salad. This Mexican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs masa harina, warm water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups masa harina
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
1 cup refried pinto beans
6 oz shredded queso Oaxaca
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup (see note) nopales salad
for serving lime wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups masa harina, 1 tsp salt, and gradually add 1 1/4 cups warm water, mixing until a smooth, pliable dough forms that doesn’t crack when pressed.
Step 2: Divide dough into 8 equal portions and flatten each into a 4-inch oval. Spoon 2 tbsp refried pinto beans and 1 tbsp shredded queso Oaxaca onto the center of each oval, folding edges over to seal and reshape into an oval.
Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry each tlacoyo for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula until golden brown and cheese inside is melted.
Step 4: Remove from skillet and drain briefly on paper towels. Serve topped with 1 cup nopales salad and lime wedges to squeeze over for a tangy finish.