Golden brown, crispy tostones are super easy to make and totally crave-worthy! These Puerto Rican twice fried green plantains are sliced, fried, soaked in a delicious garlic solution, then fried again to perfection. Once you try them you'll fall in love!
Many years ago when we lived at the Army Ranger training camp down in Florida we had a neighbor from Puerto Rico who always had the best dishes at our community pot lucks.
After much begging he taught my husband and me how to make tostones-fried green plantains-just like his mother had taught him!
Fried plantains have been a family favorite for us ever since and I thought you'd love them too and be surprised just how easy they are!
What are Plantains?
A plantain looks like a big green to yellow colored banana. They have more starch and less sugar than bananas. They are not meant to be eaten eat raw, but rather cooked before eating.
What are tostones?
Tostones, or Patacones as they are also called, are green, unripe plantains that are fried, smashed to flatten them, then fried again. They are an extrememly popular snack or side dish in the Carribean and Latin America.
Despite looking like they come from bananas, these tostones are not sweet at all, they are savory and oh-so-delicious! They have more of a potato-type texture which suits frying perfectly (think french fries!)
Ingredients
- plantains (Green! This won't work with ripe, or yellow plantains.)
- oil for frying
- minced garlic
- salt
- water
Step by step
- Peel the plantains. If this is the first time you've made plantains don't fret-it's very easy but they don't peel like a regular banana.
- Chop off the two ends of the plantain and slice the peel from end to end. Gently remove the peel with your fingers. Slice the plantain into 1" thick pieces.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat until water bounces off the surface. (Take it from a very accident prone girl-please, please be careful when working with hot oil!!)
- Spoon plantain slices into the hot oil with a slotted spoon and fry for about 2 minutes on EACH side or until golden. Meanwhile add garlic and salt to water in a small bowl and mix.
- Remove plantains with the slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. Allow to cool for a moment then place them on a cutting board and squish with the back of a wooden spoon until half the original thickness.
- Add to oil once more and again fry for 2 minutes on each side. Remove from oil to the paper towel lined plate to drain and sprinkle with kosher salt. Serve immediately!
FAQs
The water mixture adds flavor but more importantly it creates steam during the second session of frying. It makes the inside of the tostone fluffy and light, which is exactly how we want it!
I like to serve these on the side with beans and rice or seasoned sautéed chicken drumsticks. They are crispy and delicious-with a potato-like consistency. I have yet to meet someone who wasn't totally converted once trying them!
If you’ve tried this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to see more delicious recipes and life updates.
Print
Tostones: Fried Green Plantains Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 17 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: side
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Description
Golden brown, crispy tostones are super easy to make and totally addictive! These Puerto Rican fried green plantains are sliced, fried, soaked in a delicious garlic solution, then fried again to perfection. Once you try them you'll fall in love!
Ingredients
- 3 plantains (Green! This won't work with ripe, or yellow plantains.)
- oil for frying (½ inch deep in pan)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Peel the plantains. If this is the first time you've made plantains don't fret-it's very easy but they don't peel like a regular banana. Chop off the two ends of the plantain and slice the peel from end to end. Gently remove the peel with your fingers.
- Slice the plantain into 1" thick pieces.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat until water bounces off the surface.
- Spoon plantain slices into the hot oil with a slotted spoon and fry for about 2 minutes or until golden on EACH side.
- Meanwhile add garlic and salt to water in a small bowl and mix.
- Remove plantains with the slotted spoon to a paper towel lines plate.
- Allow to cool for a moment then place them on a cutting board and squish with the back of a wooden spoon until half the original thickness.
- Move plantains to bowl of garlic salt water for 1-2 minutes before again placing on paper towel to drain.
- Add to oil once more and again fry for 2 minutes on each side.
- Remove from oil to paper towel lined plate to drain and sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Serve immediately!
Notes
- always choose green plantains, not yellow ripe ones
- exercise caution when frying to avoid burns
- remove any garlic pieces and lightly blot excess water before returning to frying pan
Keywords: tostones, fried plantains
Megan says
WOW! I had never had these before and they were amazing! I'm a convert!!
★★★★★
easypeasylifematters says
Never tried plantain before but they look to die for! Can't wait to give them a go! 🙂
Janel from NellieBellie says
I have never had a fried green anything in my life. Northern girl that I am :). But I want to try this! I've seen plantains lately and iwll have to pick some up to give this a try. Thanks!
Michele Main says
yummy! my grandma would make these for me, she was born on the island Agreed, have never had anyone I have made these for NOT like the. when you tell people they are like "what!" but much more like a potatoes consistency but WAY better flavor! Thanks for spreading the word!