Crispy, Golden Tostones (twice-fried inexperienced plantains) are a must-try Latin snack or aspect dish! Made with simply three easy substances, they’re straightforward to make, naturally allergy-friendly, and completely irresistible. Serve them scorching and contemporary along with your favourite dipping sauce, and also you’ll see why these crunchy fried plantains are at all times a household favourite.
Oriana’s Ideas On The Recipe
Tostones—crispy, golden, and oh-so-delicious—are a type of consolation meals that immediately transport me again to my childhood. I grew up consuming these crunchy bites of goodness, and to at the present time, they’re one in every of my all-time favourite treats. With simply inexperienced plantains, oil, and a bit salt, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of tostones which might be completely crispy on the surface and tender on the within. They’re well-liked all throughout South America and the Caribbean, and when you style them, you’ll perceive why. Let’s make some tostones and convey a bit tropical crunch to your kitchen!
What I Love About This Recipe
Table of Contents
What Are Tostones?
Tostones are twice-fried inexperienced plantains which might be crispy on the surface and tender on the within. They’re a preferred snack or aspect dish in lots of Latin American and Caribbean nations, together with Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Cuba.
Substances You’ll Want, Substitutions & Notes
Please examine the recipe card on the backside of the put up for actual portions and detailed directions (scroll down).
- Inexperienced Plantains: These are the celebrities of the present! Ensure they’re agency and inexperienced (not yellow or noticed), as that’s what offers tostones their good starchy texture and crispiness. Ripe plantains received’t work the identical manner—they’ll prove comfortable and candy, extra like maduros than tostones.
- Vegetable Oil: You’ll want a impartial oil for frying, comparable to canola, sunflower, or corn oil. It ought to have a excessive smoke level so your tostones can fry up golden and crisp with out burning.
- Coarse Salt: A beneficiant sprinkle of salt proper after frying enhances taste and provides that impossible to resist savory contact. Coarse salt sticks higher and provides texture, however you need to use common salt if that’s what you may have available.
This recipe is of course free from the highest 9 allergens: no dairy, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, sesame, nuts, peanuts, fish, or shellfish. It’s a secure and easy possibility for these with meals allergy symptoms or dietary restrictions. Simply be certain that your oil is processed in a facility that doesn’t deal with allergens when you’re cooking for somebody extraordinarily delicate.
Potential Recipe Challenges & Professional Ideas
- Plantains are too ripe: In case your plantains have began to show yellow or have spots, they’ll be sweeter and softer, which isn’t supreme for tostones. Professional Tip: All the time select plantains which might be fully inexperienced and agency to the contact. The greener, the higher!
- Tostones aren’t crispy: This often occurs when the oil isn’t scorching sufficient or in the event that they’re not double-fried correctly. Professional Tip: Ensure your oil is round 350–375ºF. Fry them as soon as till mild golden, flatten, then fry once more till deep golden and crispy.
- Exhausting to peel plantains: Inexperienced plantains have a thick, sticky peel that doesn’t come off simply. Professional Tip: Lower off the ends, rating the pores and skin lengthwise (with out reducing into the flesh), after which use your fingers or a spoon to assist elevate and peel off the pores and skin.
Course of Overview: Step-by-Step Photographs
Please examine the recipe card on the backside of the put up for actual portions and detailed directions (scroll down).
Step 1 – Peel and Slice
Lower off each ends of the plantain. Use a knife to make just a few shallow cuts alongside the size of the plantain—simply deep sufficient to chop by means of the pores and skin, not the fruit. Peel the pores and skin off in strips; if it’s onerous to take away, slide a spoon underneath the pores and skin to assist elevate it. As soon as peeled, lower the plantain into slices about 2 inches thick.
Step 2 – First Fry
Heat up the oil in a skillet to about 325º F. As soon as it’s scorching, add the plantain slices and fry them for 3 to five minutes, turning them as soon as. You need them calmly browned and a bit comfortable. Take them out and allow them to drain on paper towels.
Step 3 – Smash
Place the fried plantains on a reducing board. Use a plantain press or the again of a small plate or cup to softly smash every slice till it’s about half as thick as earlier than. Don’t fear in the event that they crack a bit—that’s regular!
Step 4 – Fry Once more
Warmth the oil again up till it’s actually scorching once more. Fry the flattened plantain rounds for about 2 minutes on both sides, till they flip a deep golden coloration and get crispy. Take them out and drain on paper towels to absorb the additional oil. Sprinkle the crispy tostones with coarse salt. You possibly can get pleasure from them plain or add your favourite toppings—both manner, they’re scrumptious!
- Fry in small batches to keep away from overcrowding the pan and dropping the oil temperature.
- Use the underside of a cup, a tostonera, or perhaps a plate to softly flatten the plantains after the primary fry.
- For additional taste, strive soaking the flattened plantains in salted garlic water earlier than the second fry.
How Do You Make Garlic Water for Tostones?
To make garlic water for tostones, combine 1 cup of heat water, 2–3 minced garlic cloves, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes so the flavors mix. Dip the tostones within the garlic water proper after smashing them, then fry them for the second time till crispy.
Variations & Additions
- Garlic-Lovers’ Tostones: Soak the plantains briefly in heat garlic salt water between fries for an additional punch of taste.
- Tacky Tostones: Prime with crumbled white cheese, like queso fresco or feta.
- Loaded Tostones: Add shredded meat, avocado slices, black beans, or a drizzle of your favourite sauce for a hearty appetizer. My favourite is Venezuelan Garlic Sauce (Salsa de Ajo Venezolana).
Serving Ideas
Tostones are scrumptious served scorching and contemporary! I like pairing them with coleslaw and pink sauce, or serving them alongside grilled rooster, shredded beef, and even fish. In addition they make a enjoyable and attractive appetizer—simply maintain them bite-sized and let everybody construct their very own with totally different toppings.
Tostones Toppings Concepts:
Storage and Freezing Directions
Retailer: Maintain leftover tostones in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. Reheat within the oven or air fryer to revive crispiness—keep away from utilizing the microwave, as it could actually make them soggy.
Freeze: After the primary fry and flattening step, allow them to cool fully. Freeze on a baking sheet, then switch to a freezer bag or container. When able to get pleasure from, fry straight from frozen for the second fry.
Steadily Requested Questions
Scrumptious Sauces for Tostones You Have to Strive!
Recipe Card
The way to Make Tostones
Crispy, Golden Tostones (twice-fried inexperienced plantains) are a must-try Latin snack or aspect dish! Made with simply three easy substances, they’re straightforward to make, naturally allergy-friendly, and completely irresistible. Serve them scorching and contemporary along with your favourite dipping sauce, and also you’ll see why these crunchy fried plantains are at all times a household favourite.
You will discover step-by-step images above within the put up and/or proper right here on the recipe card. They’ll stroll you thru the method and make all the pieces tremendous clear! Simply click on the digicam icon button beneath on the precise to point out or cover them. Flip them off earlier than printing when you want a cleaner copy!
Peel and Slice:
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Lower off each ends of the plantain. Make just a few shallow cuts alongside the size—simply deep sufficient to chop by means of the pores and skin, not the fruit. Peel off the pores and skin in strips; if it’s robust, slide a spoon underneath it to assist. As soon as peeled, lower the plantain into slices about 2 inches thick.Be aware: Extra detailed step-by-step images within the put up above.
First Fry:
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As soon as the oil is scorching, add the plantain slices in a single layer (don’t overcrowd the pan; work in batches if wanted). Fry for 3 to five minutes, turning as soon as, till calmly browned and barely comfortable. Take away and drain on paper towels.
Smash:
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Place the fried plantains on a reducing board and smash them into flat rounds about half their unique thickness. Use a plantain press or the again of a small plate or cup to press down. Professional Tip: Frivolously spray the plate in water or oil to maintain the plantains from sticking.Be aware: Extra detailed step-by-step images within the put up above.
Fry Once more:
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Improve the oil temperature to 350º F (180º C). When the oil is scorching, fry the smashed rounds for about 2 minutes, or till deep golden and crispy on each side. Take away and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with coarse salt and serve scorching along with your favourite sauce or toppings—garlic mojo, guasacaca, or mayo-ketchup are scrumptious choices!
Air-Fryer(Non-obligatory Methodology):
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Preheat – Preheat your air fryer to 380º F (193º C) for 3–5 minutes.Peel & Slice – Peel the plantains and lower them into slices about 2 inches thick.First Air Fry – Frivolously brush or spray the slices with oil and place them in a single layer within the basket. Air fry for six–8 minutes, flipping midway by means of, till they’re comfortable and calmly golden.Smash – Take away and smash every slice into flat rounds (about half their thickness). (Professional Tip: Frivolously grease the underside of a cup or plate to stop sticking.)Second Air Fry – Preheat your air fryer to 400° F (200º C). Brush or spray each side of the smashed plantains with oil. Return them to the basket and air fry for five–7 minutes, flipping midway, till golden brown and crispy.Serve – Sprinkle with salt and luxuriate in scorching along with your favourite dipping sauce.
IMPORTANT: Inexperienced plantains can stain your clothes and fingernails, so deal with them fastidiously.
Retailer: Maintain leftover tostones in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. Reheat within the oven or air fryer to revive crispiness—keep away from utilizing the microwave, as it could actually make them soggy.
Freeze: After the primary fry and flattening step, allow them to cool fully. Freeze on a baking sheet, then switch to a freezer bag or container. When able to get pleasure from, fry straight from frozen for the second fry.
Meals Allergy Swaps:
This recipe is of course free from the highest 9 allergens: no dairy, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, sesame, nuts, peanuts, fish, or shellfish. It’s a secure and easy possibility for these with meals allergy symptoms or dietary restrictions. Simply be certain that your oil is processed in a facility that doesn’t deal with allergens when you’re cooking for somebody extraordinarily delicate.
Potential Recipe Challenges & Professional Ideas:
- Plantains are too ripe: In case your plantains have began to show yellow or have spots, they’ll be sweeter and softer, which isn’t supreme for tostones. Professional Tip: All the time select plantains which might be fully inexperienced and agency to the contact. The greener, the higher!
- Tostones aren’t crispy: This often occurs when the oil isn’t scorching sufficient or in the event that they’re not double-fried correctly. Professional Tip: Ensure your oil is round 350–375ºF. Fry them as soon as till mild golden, flatten, then fry once more till deep golden and crispy.
- Exhausting to peel plantains: Inexperienced plantains have a thick, sticky peel that doesn’t come off simply. Professional Tip: Lower off the ends, rating the pores and skin lengthwise (with out reducing into the flesh), after which use your fingers or a spoon to assist elevate and peel off the pores and skin.
Additional Recipe Ideas For Success:
- Fry in small batches to keep away from overcrowding the pan and dropping the oil temperature.
- Use the underside of a cup, a tostonera, or perhaps a plate to softly flatten the plantains after the primary fry.
- For additional taste, strive soaking the flattened plantains in salted garlic water earlier than the second fry.
Variations & Additions:
- Garlic-Lovers’ Tostones: Soak the plantains briefly in heat garlic salt water between fries for an additional punch of taste.
- Tacky Tostones: Prime with crumbled white cheese, like queso fresco or feta.
- Loaded Tostones: Add shredded meat, avocado slices, black beans, or a drizzle of your favourite sauce for a hearty appetizer. My favourite is Venezuelan Garlic Sauce (Salsa de Ajo Venezolana).
Tostones Toppings Concepts:
I respect your suggestions, and it helps others, too!
Energy: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 0.1gProtein: 0.003gFats: 18gSaturated Fats: 3gPolyunsaturated Fats: 11gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 0.1gSodium: 49mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 0.003gSugar: 0.004gVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 0.03mgIron: 0.01mg
Vitamin data offered is an estimate and can range primarily based on cooking strategies and types of substances used.
This recipe was initially shared in June 2019. The images and content material had been refreshed in July 2025, however the recipe itself stays unchanged.
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