Tostada vs. Chalupa – What’s The Difference?

People worldwide love to have Mexican dishes, and chalupas and tostadas are among the most famous Mexican dishes. However, folks often confuse them to be the same, but they are not. They do have some similarities; however, they also have key differences.

So, what’s the difference between chalupa and tostada? The major difference between the two is that the base used for tostada is a tough corn tortilla, while chalupa uses a soft dough tortilla. Another major difference is that tostadas have a boat-like shape and are typically fried; on the other hand, tostadas are either baked flat or fried.

In this article, we have covered all aspects of these two famous Mexican dishes. From ingredients to nutritional facts to how both of these dishes are served are all covered in this article. So, keep on reading if you are curious to learn the difference between chalupa and tostada is?

Tostada

Tostada is a Spanish word that means toasted. It is used for several Mexican dishes that use the toasted tortilla as a base. Various ingredients are added to this as toppings, and it is very popular, especially in the US.

These dishes are considered Tex-Mex food, which has a combination of American and Mexican cuisines. Similar Tex-Mex foods also include nachos and fajitas. Tostadas also have another variation that uses toasted tortillas, which is a triangle shape and has cheese salsa and guacamole on top.

However, many folks also consider tacos and tostadas the same, and they are not. However, the concept is similar to a corn tortilla with beef vegetable salsa and chicken. However, one major difference between the two is how they are served.

Tacos are generally served with all of the ingredients mentioned above in a folded tortilla, while tostadas are an open-faced tortilla. Tostadas have all the delicious ingredients piled up on the fried flat tortilla. Typically, tortillas used in making tostadas are made by corn, while you may also find tostadas made from wheat tortillas.

There are various toppings that you can choose from when it comes to making tostadas. Ingredients that can be used to make tostadas include various types of meats like pork chicken and shredded beef. The second key ingredient used in making tostadas are beans which, if you are a vegetarian, can be only used instead of meat to have a healthy yet filling tostado.

 Moreover, shredded cheese lettuce and guacamole sour cream salsa are typical toppings used to make tostadas. The tortilla that is used to make Tostado is fried and has a flat shape. It is very basic to make a delicious tostado.

 You need to fry a tortilla which is used as a base, and then fill up the tortilla with topping, and your savory dish will be ready.  Moreover, the toppings can be chosen according to your preference, and unhealthy ingredients like cheese and sodium can be eliminated.

Tostadas can be served with other Mexican dishes such as soups, birria pozole and Menudo. Moreover, they also go well with stews and other seafood dishes providing a full and filling meal. How heavy the rest of the meal is tostadas can be adjusted according to it by choosing the right toppings.

Nutritional Facts

A serving of two tostadas which is about 32g, includes the following:

• Total Calories 150 KCAL
• Total Fat 6 grams
• Saturated Fat 2.5 grams
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 0 milligrams
• Sodium 210mg
• Total Carbohydrates 22g
• Dietary Fiber 2g
• Sugars 1g
• Protein 2g

Chalupa

Chalupa is also a very popular Mexican dish and is also called “antojito.” It is a Spanish word and means “little cravings,” referring to street appetizers and snacks. Chalupas are tortilla shells that are deep-fried and have a boat-like shape.

The chalupa shell is then filled with several toppings similar to the ones found in Tostado. Some people also confuse chalupa with another name for tacos, but it is not. However, they do have many similarities but some major differences as well.

One major difference between taco and Chapala is that it has a very different shape than a taco. It has a boat-like shape and a flat tortilla base, unlike tacos. Moreover, it also tastes much crunchier than a taco shelf.

Chapuis is typically made using masa dough. A thin layer of dough is pressed to make it into a boat-like shape. However, you may also find chapulas having a flat and round base rather than their typical boat shape. Ingredients generally used are shredded beef or pork salsa, chicken lettuce, onions and pepper.

Tostado and chapula almost taste the same; however, the key difference between the two is the base used. They have similar textures and ingredients and are both crunchy. One thing to keep in mind when choosing ingredients for the two is not using too many wet ingredients, making these dishes lose the crispy appeal.

It is fairly simple to make a chapula, starting with a fried base tortilla and filling it up with all the preferred ingredients. Chapulas taste best if assembled right before eating, and that is what we recommend too. Moreover, you can customize your chapula according to your preference by choosing all the toppings you prefer, and this will also lead to making a healthier chapula.

Chapulas can be served both as a main course and a side dish. It goes well with just about every Mexican dish out there. Chapulas are fairly easy to eat and can be consumed similar to how a taco is eaten by holding it in your hands and taking small bites.

Nutritional Facts

A serving of one chapula, which is about 150 grams, includes the following nutritional value:

• Calories 373 KCAL
• Total Fat 18g
• Saturated Fat 6.3g
• Trans Fat 0.5g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
• Monounsaturated Fat 8.3g
• Cholesterol 48mg
• Sodium 723mg
• Potassium 325mg
• Total Carbohydrates 34g
• Dietary Fiber 1.8g
• Sugars 1g
• Protein 18g

So, What’s The Difference Between a Chapula and A Tostada?

Summarizing the above-mentioned article into key points:

1. The major difference between the two is that the base used for toast is a tough corn tortilla, while chalupa uses a soft dough tortilla.
2. Another major difference is that tostadas have a boat-like shape and are typically fried; on the other hand, tostadas are either baked flat or fried.
3. Chapala is typically eaten as a snack, while tostadas are served as a main course.

Sources

• Foods guy
• Nutrionix
• elpasony