Everyday Kitchen

Caribbean · Sides

Tostones

Draft recipe — not kitchen-tested
VegEasy

Diet: Veg · Vegan

Tostones is a Caribbean dish. Flatten after the first fry while the plantain is still warm.

Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Total
40 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
Caribbean
Course
Sides

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

Jump to recipe

Representative photograph of Tostones.
Representative photograph of Tostones. Garnishes and presentation may differ. This is not a tested result of this draft. Photo credit and licence
0 of 3 steps complete

Screen wake-lock status will appear when cooking view starts.

Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 4

Choose any positive whole number of servings. Ingredients and measured amounts in steps scale together. Times, temperatures and equipment stay unchanged. For larger yields, cook separate original-size batches. Counted ingredients can become fractions; beat eggs before dividing them. Fixed correction-water checks remain fixed.

Plantains

Finish

Equipment

Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; heavy frying pan; spatula; food thermometer; baking tin or heatproof dish of the size stated in the method; heatproof spoon; spatula.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed draft, not every substitution.

Steps

First fry · About 6 min

  1. Peel plantains from 3 green plantains, 750 ml neutral oil and cut 3 cm pieces. Fry in its oil at 160°C / 320°F for 5–6 minutes until softened.

    Check: Look for this result: softened.

Flatten · About 7 min

  1. Drain and flatten each piece to about 1 cm with a plate.

Second fry · About 3 min

  1. Raise oil to 180°C / 355°F and fry 2–3 minutes until crisp. Drain; add ¾ tsp salt, 30 ml lime juice just before serving.

    Check: Look for this result: crisp.

Tips

  • Flatten after the first fry while the plantain is still warm.
  • Use the texture and doneness checks in the method; cooking times depend on your pan and heat.

Substitutions

  • Use a tortilla press instead of a plate.

Storage

  • Refrigerate perishable food within two hours, or within one hour in heat above 32°C / 90°F. Store covered at 4°C / 40°F or below. Use within two days for this draft.
  • Reheat cooked dishes to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning for even heating. Serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts directly from safe refrigeration.

Make ahead

  • Prepare the measured ingredients for Tostones one day ahead. Refrigerate chopped vegetables and other perishable ingredients separately; complete the staged cooking on the serving day.

FAQ

What matters most when making Tostones?

Flatten after the first fry while the plantain is still warm.

What can I substitute in Tostones?

Use a tortilla press instead of a plate.

Can I prepare Tostones ahead?

Prepare the measured ingredients for Tostones one day ahead. Refrigerate chopped vegetables and other perishable ingredients separately; complete the staged cooking on the serving day.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating

Related recipes