Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains)
In short: Green plantain slices fried, smashed flat and fried again until golden and crisp, served hot and salted with a garlic and lime dipping sauce. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Tostones are green plantain slices fried, smashed flat and fried again until crisp outside and tender inside. In Puerto Rico they are a side for almost any meal, from roast pork to fried fish, and a snack with a garlicky dip. The two-stage frying matters: the first soft fry cooks the plantain through, and the second makes the crust. Choose plantains that are fully green and firm, because yellow ones turn sweet and greasy.
Instructions
- Whisk the garlic, olive oil, lime juice and salt for the dip and set aside so the flavors blend.
- Cut off the ends of each plantain and slit the peel lengthwise. Pry the peel away, then cut the flesh into rounds 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep skillet to 160°C (320°F). Fry the rounds in batches for 3 minutes per side, until pale gold and tender when pierced.
- Lift them out and drain briefly. While they are still warm, press each round to about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick with a tostonera, or between two sheets of parchment using a flat-bottomed glass.
- Raise the oil to 180°C (350°F). Fry the flattened rounds in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden and crisp at the edges.
- Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with salt right away and serve hot, with the garlic-lime dip.
Tips
- Dip each flattened round briefly in salted water (1 teaspoon salt in 240 ml / 1 cup water) before the second fry. The seasoning goes deeper and the crust is crispier.
- If the plantain is hard to peel, soak it in hot water for 5 minutes. Fry in small batches so the oil temperature does not drop.
Questions and answers
Can I bake or air fry tostones?
Yes. After the first fry, smash and brush with oil, then air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once. The result is lighter, with a less crackly crust.
Why are my tostones greasy or hard?
Greasy tostones come from oil that is not hot enough, so keep it at 180°C (350°F) for the second fry. Hard ones are usually too thin, or were fried too long in the first stage.
What do you serve tostones with?
Garlic sauce or mojo are the classic dips. They also go well with stewed beans and rice, sliced avocado or almost any main dish.
How long does it take to make Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
