Description
Authentic Cuban Tostones are crispy twice-fried green plantain slices that make a perfect appetizer or side dish. This recipe includes an optional garlicky mojo dipping sauce for a delicious Cuban twist. Made by frying, smashing, and frying the plantains again, tostones deliver crunchy, golden bites bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Tostones
- 2 large green plantains
- 1/3 cup neutral oil (high smoke point oil, e.g., vegetable or canola oil)
- Salt to taste
Garlic Mojo Dipping Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, mashed to a paste
- 1/2 cup sour orange juice*
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Peel and Slice Plantains: Using a sharp knife, carefully peel the green plantains lengthwise, removing the thick skin. Slice the peeled plantains into 2-inch chunks and set aside.
- First Fry: Heat 1/3 cup of neutral oil in a deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the plantain slices and fry for about 5 minutes, turning to fry all sides until they start to turn golden. Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Smash Plantains: Using a plantain press or a folded paper towel, gently smash each fried plantain chunk to about 1/2 inch thickness, taking care not to break them apart completely.
- Second Fry: Return the smashed plantains to the same skillet with hot oil and fry for another 4-5 minutes, flipping to achieve a golden brown and crispy exterior on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Season and Serve: Sprinkle the hot tostones with salt to taste and serve immediately.
- Prepare Garlic Mojo Sauce (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the mashed garlic, sour orange juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until combined. Serve alongside tostones as a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Tostones are traditional Latin American twice-fried green plantains, perfect as appetizers or side dishes.
- Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying to get crispy results without burning.
- The garlic mojo dipping sauce adds a bright, tangy, garlicky complement to the tostones, typical in Cuban cuisine.
- Serve tostones alongside Cuban dishes like picadillo, arroz con pollo, or sopa de pollo for a complete meal experience.
- If sour orange juice is unavailable, a mixture of fresh orange juice and lime juice can be substituted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
