This tostones recipe is perfect for entertaining, showing off, or discovering the crunchy delight of plantains. Tostones are simply plantain slices that are fried twice to achieve a satisfying crispness.
Crispy and savory, they make a fantastic appetizer with your favorite dipping sauces or a tasty side dish. Everyone will be asking for your tostones recipe when you serve them.
These are not ordinary fried plantains. The first fry gently cooks the plantain, and after smashing the slices, a second fry creates the crisp exterior that makes tostones so addictive. The result is super crunchy—so good you may trade your favorite chips for them.
Tostones are enjoyed across regions where plantains are a staple, including Latin America and the Caribbean. In Cameroon, for example, they’re known as Tapé Tapé. They pair well with a wide range of dishes and can easily serve as a side or appetizer.
Tostones Ingredients
Ingredients:
- Green plantains (or plantains just beginning to yellow)
- Oil for frying
- Salt (sea salt recommended)
Optionally, add freshly cracked white or black pepper to taste for extra flavor.
Best Plantains for Tostones
Use green plantains or those that have only just started to turn yellow. Slightly yellow plantains yield a mildly sweet tostone, while fully ripe yellow plantains will not crisp properly and should be avoided for this preparation.
How to Make Tostones
1. Peel the plantains and cut them into 1–2 inch slices.
2. In a frying pan, heat enough oil for shallow-frying. Fry the plantain slices for about 4 minutes, flipping once. Remove them and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil, then transfer to a cutting board.
3. Flatten each slice with the back of a wooden spoon, a sturdy glass, or a tostonera (plantain press) until about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Return the flattened plantains to the hot oil and fry a second time for about 4–6 minutes, until golden and crunchy. Remove to paper towels and season immediately with salt and, if using, freshly cracked white or black pepper.
Baked Tostones
If you prefer baking, you can boil the plantains first instead of frying, then flatten the slices, place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and bake until crispy around the edges. Season with salt right after baking.
Tostones Dipping Sauce
Great dipping sauces for tostones:
- Simple Guacamole: Mash one large or two small avocados, season with salt and black pepper, squeeze in juice from half a lime, adjust seasoning to taste and serve.
- Mayo-Ketchup Sauce: Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 1/4 cup ketchup, mix until smooth and serve with the tostones.
Other Plantain Recipes to Try
If you enjoy working with plantains, try other recipes that showcase their versatility, such as plantain lasagna, sweet fried plantains, or a plantain frittata—each offers a different texture and flavor profile that highlights plantains in savory and sweet preparations.
Tostones Recipe (Twice-Fried Plantains)
Ingredients
- 3 green plantains
- Oil for frying
- Sea salt
- Freshly cracked white or black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Peel the plantains by making a slit from top to bottom, then remove the skin. Trim any tough bits with a knife.
- Cut each plantain into 1-inch pieces.
- Heat oil in a frying pan to shallow-fry (about 4 inches deep). Fry the plantain slices for about 4 minutes, flipping once. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Flatten each slice using the back of a wooden spoon, a glass, or a tostonera. Flattened slices should be about 1/4 inch thick.
- Return the flattened plantains to the oil and fry again for about 4–6 minutes until crunchy. Drain on paper towels and season immediately with salt and, if desired, freshly cracked pepper.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as guacamole or a simple mayo-ketchup mix.
Notes
1. Use green plantains or those just starting to yellow. Fully ripe plantains won’t crisp well.
2. Freshly cracked whole white pepper adds a bright finish, but ground pepper or none at all works fine.
3. Sea salt is recommended for finishing, but regular salt is acceptable—don’t skip seasoning.
Nutrition
Calories: 164 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 0.5 g | Potassium: 654 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 23 g
