
Baked Baleadas with Coconut Beans and Pineapple Slaw
An original Honduran-inspired dish: baleada-style tortillas lightly baked and filled with coconut refried beans, fresh cheese, avocado, and a crunchy pineapple slaw with cilantro and lime. It blends traditional flavors with a natural, balanced Caribbean twist.
Ingredients
- 400 g cooked red beans (escurridos si son of lata)
- 120 ml coconut milk (without sugar)
- 100 g white onion (50 g chopped for the frijoles and 50 g en pluma fina for the curtido)
- 6 g garlic (chopped)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 2 g ground cumin
- 8 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 1 g black pepper
- 300 g all-purpose flour (for the tortillas)
- 4 g baking powder
- 45 g vegetable shortening
- 180 ml warm water (approx., for the dough)
- 150 g fresh pineapple (en cubitos small)
- 15 ml white vinegar
- 30 ml lime juice
- 15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 120 g fresh cheese (desmoronado)
- 200 g avocado (en slices)
- 14 g butter (derretida for brush)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper.
- 2
2. Make the slaw: in a bowl, combine the pineapple, 50 g thinly sliced onion, white vinegar, lime juice, cilantro, 2 g salt, and black pepper. Mix well and let it rest for 15 minutes while you continue with the recipe.
- 3
3. Make the baleada dough: in a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and 3 g salt. Add the vegetable shortening and rub it in with your fingers until the mixture looks sandy. Gradually add the warm water until a soft dough forms. Knead for 4 to 5 minutes until smooth.
- 4
4. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape into balls, cover with a towel, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- 5
5. While the dough rests, cook the beans. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 50 g chopped onion and the garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant.
- 6
6. Add the cooked red beans, coconut milk, cumin, and 3 g salt. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, mashing some of the beans with a spoon to create a thick, creamy texture. Remove from the heat.
- 7
7. Roll each dough ball into a thin 8-inch circle or oval. Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and cook each tortilla for 1 minute per side, just until light spots appear. Do not brown too much.
- 8
8. Place the partially cooked tortillas on the baking sheet. Brush them with the melted butter and bake for 6 to 8 minutes at 400°F (200°C), until fully cooked but still flexible.
- 9
9. To assemble, spread each tortilla with a portion of the coconut beans. Add crumbled fresh cheese, avocado slices, and a generous amount of pineapple slaw.
- 10
10. Fold each baleada in half and serve right away while warm. If desired, add a few extra drops of lime juice at the end.
Chef tips
If you want a more traditional texture, cook the tortillas only on a griddle and skip the baking; the baked version gives a slightly firmer finish that is practical for serving. The slaw tastes even better if it rests for 20 minutes.
Substitutions
You can use black beans instead of red beans. Fresh cheese can be replaced with mild dry cheese or feta, though the flavor profile will change. If you do not have lime, use lemon. The vegetable shortening can be replaced with the same amount of cold butter for a richer dough.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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