Migas with Crispy Tortillas

This quick and easy Migas recipe is the perfect Mexican breakfast with lightly scrambled eggs tossed with crispy tortillas, jalapeno peppers, tomato and melted cheese.

Do you enjoy scrambled eggs with a Mexican twist? If so, you're going to love Migas. Migas is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish of scrambled eggs that have been cooked with peppers, onions and tomato, then finished with homemade crispy fried tortilla strips and melty cheese.

It's totally up your spicy food loving alley, isn't it?

There are variations of this dish in different parts of the world, including Spain and Portugal, but this version is more of an American style migas, mostly Tex-Mex with a Mexican influence.

In different parts of Mexico, migas is made with crispy fried corn tortilla strips that are mixed up with scrambled eggs. Cooks often use leftover tortillas that have started to go stale, which is a perfect way to avoid waste.

What we're doing here is cooking down peppers, onions and tomatoes, then adding a mixture of scrambled eggs to let them set.

You don't want them to set too much, or else they'll dry out. They're best when they retain some of their moisture. When they're just about done, we fold in some homemade fried tortilla strips and melty cheese, and...

BOOM!

It doesn't get any better than this, my friends. Migas is nice and spicy and HUGE on flavor, and you can spice it up even more with your favorite hot sauce and spicy chili flakes, like I love to do.

Ready for some?

Let's talk about how to make Migas, shall we? Let's get cooking!

Migas Ingredients Needed

• Oil for Cooking: Vegetable oil is good
• Corn Tortillas: Cut into strips or squares
• Vegetables: Use jalapeno pepper, red bell pepper and white or yellow onion. Diced tomatoes, too
• Eggs: You'll need eggs to make Mexican scrambled eggs/Migas!
• Salt and Pepper: To your personal taste
• Cheese: Use shredded pepperjack or Monterey Jack cheese, though any good melty cheese will work here
• For Serving: Spicy chili flakes extra sliced peppers, avocado, hot sauce

How to Make Migas - the Recipe Method

Prepare Tortillas:

Slice some corn tortillas into strips or squares, like so. I like to cut them into squares, as they incorporate more easily into the final dish, though strips are great, too.

Fry Tortillas:

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the sliced corn tortillas. Fry them lightly in the hot oil until they crisp up, flipping a bit, about 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Drain Tortillas:

Remove them from the pan and add the tortillas onto a paper towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle them with a bit of salt while they are hot.

Cook Vegetables:

Add the peppers and onion to the pan heated to medium and cook them down about 5 minutes. You can use a bit of olive oil if you need it. Stir in the tomato.

Add Eggs:

Simply pour in the scrambled eggs. Sprinkle with a pinch salt and black pepper and stir.

Cook the Eggs:

Cook, stirring frequently, about 2-3 minutes, or until the egg mixture just begins to set.

Finish and Combine:

Remove from heat and stir in the reserved crispy tortillas and shredded cheese. Top with spicy chili flakes, extra sliced peppers and avocado. And hot sauce if desired!

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Serving Up Mexican Migas

Of course you can serve up your migas as a spicy breakfast or brunch, but try serving them into warmed corn tortillas for migas breakfast tacos. Don't forget the hot sauce.

What is the Difference Between Chilaquiles and Migas?

Migas and chilaquiles are both breakfast dishes, and while they are quite similar, they are not the same dish. Migas are crushed or fried tortillas mixed with scrambled eggs, peppers, onion and tomato then topped with cheese. Chilaquiles, on the other hand, are fried tortillas or tortilla chips simmered in a sauce or salsa instead of eggs. Both are hearty, inexpensive breakfast dishes.

About the Peppers

For this recipe, I've used both jalapeno pepper and red bell pepper. Jalapeno peppers will certainly give you a bit of heat, though more of an average level spiciness. I really love them for the balance of flavor and spice for everyday cooking.

You can easily add other peppers, like the spicy serrano pepper, or go hotter with habaneros or even up through any of the superhot chili peppers.

You can also easily omit the jalapeno peppers and use only bell peppers for a milder version of this recipe.

Recipe Tips & Notes

• Make it a Bigger Meal. Migas is a great dish on its own, but as a variation, consider adding spicy Mexican chorizo for some added kick and flavor. You can even add in other crumbled sausage, ground chicken or refried beans to make it more of a meal
• Add Some Salsa. Salsa is also a popular addition. Scoop a few spoonfuls of Salsa Roja or your favorite Salsa Verde as a finisher. You'll love the added flavor pop
• Tortilla Chips. If you'd like to skip the steps for frying the tortillas, use crispy tortilla chips instead. They work great for quick and easy migas

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Different Types of Migas

Migas is common in different cuisines around the world, including Spain and Portugal. There are also Mexican and Tex-Mex style migas.

The recipe is basically the same in different parts of the world. They just vary in the use of local ingredients.

In Spain, migas is a breakfast dish that uses leftover bread or tortas. It has converted today into a first course serving and is popular for lunch and dinner.

In Portugal, migas is usually made with leftover wheat or corn bread bread. In some parts, it is made with potatoes.

Mexican migas is a traditional breakfast made with fried tortilla strips and scrambled eggs. It is similar to my recipe.

Tex-Mex migas is similar to Mexican migas, though it includes other ingredients like onion, peppers, tomatoes, cheese and other spices. This is most like my own Migas recipe.

Storage & Leftovers

Storing your Migas in an airtight container in the fridge may allow you to store the leftovers for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate them promptly.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What makes Migas different from chilaquiles?

Migas mix scrambled eggs with crispy fried tortillas, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, topped with cheese. Chilaquiles use fried tortillas simmered in sauce or salsa instead of eggs.

→ Can I use different peppers in Migas?

Yes, jalapenos provide moderate heat, but you can substitute or add serranos, habaneros, or omit spicy peppers for a milder dish.

→ Is it necessary to fry the tortillas fresh?

Freshly frying tortillas gives the best texture, but crispy tortilla chips can be a convenient shortcut without sacrificing flavor.

→ How should I store leftover Migas?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently to preserve moisture.

→ Can Migas be made heartier?

Adding spicy Mexican chorizo, ground chicken, sausage, or refried beans can transform Migas into a more filling meal.