Patacones (Costa Rican Twice-Fried Green Plantains)
In short: Thick slices of green plantain fried, smashed flat and fried again until crisp, served with mashed black beans or guacamole. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 425 kcal
Patacones are the crunchy snack found at bars and beach shacks all over Costa Rica. Green plantains are cut into thick rounds, fried until just tender, pressed flat and fried a second time until golden and crisp at the edges. They are salted while hot and served with black bean dip, guacamole or hot sauce, or as a base for ceviche. Their sturdy shape makes them handy for scooping.
Instructions
- Trim the ends of the plantains, slit the skin lengthwise and pry it off. Cut the plantains on the diagonal into slices 2.5 cm (1 in) thick.
- Heat the oil in a deep skillet to 160°C (320°F). Fry the slices in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until pale golden and just tender. Lift out and drain on paper towels.
- While the slices are still warm, press each one flat between two sheets of parchment with the bottom of a heavy glass or a tortilla press, to about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick.
- Raise the oil temperature to 180°C (350°F). Fry the flattened rounds for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt right away.
- Serve hot with the bean dip, avocado and hot sauce.
Tips
- Use fully green plantains. As they ripen they turn sweet and soft instead of crisp.
- Press them thin for a chip-like crunch or thicker for a soft center.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between patacones and tostones?
They are the same idea under different names: green plantain slices fried twice. Patacones is the name used in Costa Rica.
Can I bake or air-fry patacones?
Yes. Brush the flattened slices with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20 minutes, turning once, or air-fry at 200°C (400°F) for about 10 minutes.
How do I keep patacones crisp?
Serve them straight from the oil. If you need to hold them, keep them on a rack in a 120°C (250°F) oven for up to 20 minutes.
How long does it take to make Patacones (Costa Rican Twice-Fried Green Plantains)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Patacones (Costa Rican Twice-Fried Green Plantains)?
About 425 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 51 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 425 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 11 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
