Tostones are fun as a side dish, for brunch or dinner. They’re also perfect any time you get a hankering for some crispiness, but want something a little more redeeming than French fries.
Introducing your new favourite plantain recipe – buttery, CRISPY TOSTONES. Crazily crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, there’s a serious risk that only half of these will make it to the dinner table.
What are Tostones?
They are twice-fried plantain slices made from green or half-ripe fried plantains. The plantains are sliced, fried, flattened and fried again.
Most commonly known as tostones, they are also known as tachinos or chatinos, platano frito or verde frito, platano frito, bananes pesées, patacones and, sometimes, patacón pisao.
Origin of Tostones
These twice-fried plantains is commonly found in Latin American cuisine, African cuisine and Caribbean cuisine, where they are often served as a side dish.
Crispy Buttery Tostones
You’ve never tried them before? then you’ve got to try them at least once in your life! Especially, paired with this African Pepper sauce…a DREAM!! Without a doubt, tostones will be making a regular appearance at your dinner table!
Not only are they so fluffy and soft on the inside but also deliciously crispy on the outside. Undoubtedly, it’s those crispy tostones edges that send you over the edge…. a great addition to your regular fried plantains.
The crispy crunch lies in all of those ridges on top! Don’t even worry about squashing tostones pretty and flat. The rougher the surface, the better the crunch.
Most noteworthy, these tostones are gluten free and vegan too, for all to enjoy.
What are Plantains?
Plantains are a member of the banana family. They are a starchy, low in sugar variety that are cooked before serving as they are unsuitable for raw consumption.
They are used in many savory dishes and are very popular in Western Africa and the Caribbean countries. They are usually fried, stewed or baked.
Difference btw Plantains and Bananas
Bananas are low in starch and are suitable for raw consumption. On the other hand, plantains aren’t suitable for raw consumption because of the high starch content.
Health Benefits of Plantains
Cooked plantains are very nutritious. They’re a rich source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and minerals like magnesium and potassium.
Best Plantains to use for tostones
In the Caribbean, tostones call for green plantains. However, in West Africa, half-ripe plantains are used for this recipe.
Personally, I prefer using half-ripe plantains since I don’t quite like the texture of green fried plantains.
In case you are coming across this recipe for the first time, try both versions and see what you like best.
Things you’ll need for Tostones
- Green or Half-ripe plantains (peeled and chopped)
- Cooking oil (for deep frying)
- Salt to taste
How to Make Tostones
Crispy twice -fried plantains aren’t the quickest plantain option around (First you fry them, then smash them and fry them again), Despite this, they are not difficult to make and taste AMAZING. I promise.
- First and foremost, peel the plantains and cut into 1 inch [2.5 cm] thick slices.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat, then fry the plantains till cooked and slightly golden brown; about 5 minutes. (The oil should not be too hot otherwise, the plantains will get too brown and not cook properly).
- Drain the fried plantains onto a flat plate and flatten them using the back of a cup to about [0.5 cm].
- Fry the plantains again until golden brown; about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Finally, Serve hot.
How to Serve Tostones
Serve tostones as a snack, a starter or as a side dish to the main course, such as; jollof rice, baked chicken, or Fish.
Making Tostones ahead of time?
In my opinion, these are better made and served fresh. However, make these ahead of time when necessary.
Simply fry and flatten, then regrigerate and do the second frying the next day.
Storing Leftover Tostones
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place on a plate and warm in the microwave for one minute and serve immediately.
Tips
- Use green or slightly ripe plantains.
- Ripe plantains (with dark yellow to dark skin) are not suitable for tostones because they will not hold the shape well after flattening.
- These tostones are best served warm or hot.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air-tight container.
- Warm leftovers for one minute in the microwave.
For other fried plantains recipe, click HERE.
Tostones (Crispy Smashed Fried Plantains)
Ingredients
- 2 green or half-ripe Plantains
- 2 cups Vegetable Oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel the plantains and cut into 1 inch [2.5 cm] thick slices.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat, then fry the plantains till cooked and slightly golden brown; about 5 minutes. (The oil should not be too hot otherwise, the plantains will get too brown and not cook properly).
- Transfer the fried plantains on a flat plate in a single layer.
- Flatten the plantains using a cup to ¼" [0.5 cm].
- Fry the plantains again until golden brown; about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and serve hot or warm.
Notes
- use half-ripe plantains for a slight sweet taste.
- fried smashed plantains are best served warm or hot.
- store leftovers in the fridge in an air-tight container.
- warm leftovers for one minute in the microwave.
If you enjoy this twice-fried plantains recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with Star rating. I would love to hear from you.
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It was my first time trying this recipe. Long story short, we loved it.
That is awesome Yesra.
I just stumbled on this blog by chance and I’m really loving what I see. I’ll definitely be frequenting it to learn how to cook delicious African dishes. Thanks again for these amazing recipes. These tostones smashed-fried plantains look really yummy!
I am honored Anniken. I will be posting more African recipes as time goes by so you are warmly welcomed to frequent the blog. Thanks so much.