Craving a fiesta in every bite? These Spicy Little Muffin Tin Chicken Tostadas are about to become your new favorite appetizer. Get ready to unlock the secrets to crafting these irresistible, flavor-packed wonders that will have everyone begging for more!
Ingredients
Okay, let's explore into what you'll need to whip up this awesome dish! First, you're gonna want to choose your carrots. You could use either 16 Dutch carrots, scrubbed clean, or about 600 grams of regular carrots.
For the spicy maple sauce, grab 3 tablespoons of maple syrup – or 2 1/2 of honey if you're feeling it! Add 2 tablespoons of sriracha, a tablespoon and a half of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. To achieve a similar flavor profile, consider how recipes for Thai-inspired dishes use ingredients like rice vinegar and sesame oil to create unique sauces.
Now, for those crispy chickpeas, you'll need a 400-gram can of chickpeas, drained but don't dry them! Mix with a tablespoon of olive oil, half a teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a quarter teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Trust me, it'll be addictively crunchy!
Don't forget yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, coriander, and pistachios for garnish!
Preparation Instructions
Let's get cooking! Preheat the oven to 425°F. It's gotta be hot! Arrange the racks inside about 8 inches apart, to guarantee air circulation.
Next up, drain the chickpeas. Don't dry 'em, just spread them on a tray. For the carrots, mix them with your spicy maple sauce – that's maple syrup, sriracha, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Now, pop both trays in the oven, carrots on top. For a snack while you prepare these, consider some baked cheesy goodness, to hold you over.
After 10 minutes, get the chickpeas out. Push 'em to one side, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic & onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well and return to the oven. They need 20-25 more minutes.
Now back to the carrots. Roast them for 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until they're tender and that amazing caramelized color!
Tips and Considerations
Spice isn't the only factor to contemplate – roasting can mellow out the sriracha's heat a bit. If you're worried, start with less, then add more to the extra sauce if you need it–easy peasy!
I use Dutch carrots because, frankly, they look fancier, and were on sale! But, hey, regular carrots cut into long pieces work like a charm, too!
Oh, pistachios are a must! They add a killer flavor, and, well, they look pretty snazzy! Don't skip the pistachios—toast them yourself in a pan until lightly browned.
Leftovers last a day if you keep things separate. Reheat the carrots, but remember, those chickpeas are divas and get sad after a couple of hours! No one likes soggy chickpeas!
Nutritional Information
Beyond the carrots and chickpeas, it's useful to know what you're getting in each serving—assuming 5 servings. I'm talking about the good stuff that keeps us going.
Each serving clocks in around 304 calories; not bad, right?! You're also looking at 41 grams of carbs (14% of your daily value), 8 grams of protein which is fab for rebuilding muscle, and 13 grams of fat.
Digging deeper, there's 3 grams of saturated fat, then some mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Cholesterol's low, only 6 mg, so your arteries will thank you. Sodium's a bit high at 632 mg (27% DV), so maybe lay off the salt shaker elsewhere.
Don't forget the vitamins! A whopping 20221 IU of Vitamin A – that's 404% of what you need! Plus, a respectable dose of Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron. I'd say you're getting a lot of nutritional bang for your buck!
Short Recipe Version
Spicy Little Muffin Tin Chicken Tostadas
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Serving Size: 12 tostadas
Ingredients:
- 12 mini tostada shells
- 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1/4 cup sour cream or guacamole (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine chicken and hot sauce.
- Fill each tostada shell with the spicy chicken mixture.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Place tostadas in a muffin tin.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with sour cream or guacamole (optional).
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – estimate):
- Calories: 75
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 5g