Tillie Doyle
Tostones are a popular side dish in many Caribbean and South American countries. They are made with green (unripe) plantains, which are fried until crispy and golden brown. Traditionally, tostones are twice-fried in oil, but this can be a messy and greasy process. An air fryer is a healthier alternative to frying, as it requires little to no oil, and still yields crispy tostones. Air fryer tostones can be made from scratch or using store-bought frozen tostones.
Cooking Frozen Tostones Plantains in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 380–400°F |
| Cooking Time | 8–10 minutes |
| Preparation | Place frozen tostones in a single layer in the air fryer basket |
| Oil | Non-stick cooking spray or olive oil |
| Texture | Crispy and golden brown |
| Serving Suggestions | Guacamole, salsa, ceviche, or a dip of your choice |
| Reheating | Place in the microwave for 3 minutes on medium power, in the toaster oven for 7 minutes, or in the air fryer for 2–4 minutes at 350°F |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right plantain
Tostones are made from green (unripe) plantains and are a popular side dish in many Caribbean and South American countries. They are usually twice-fried, but air frying is a healthier alternative that still yields crispy tostones.
When choosing plantains for tostones, opt for green plantains that are firm and have a verdant colour. Avoid plantains with a lot of yellow on the peel, as they have already started to ripen and will taste sweeter. As plantains ripen, they turn from green to yellow to brown to black, and the taste becomes progressively sweeter. While ripe, brown plantains can be tasty when fried, they are better used for sweet maduros rather than savoury tostones.
The greener the plantain, the starchier and less sweet it will be. Unripe green plantains are incredibly starchy, similar to raw potatoes, and must be cooked to be edible.
When preparing plantains for tostones, start by slicing off the tips and cutting the plantain into 1-inch chunks. Make sure to cut through the thick skin without piercing the flesh. Then, peel the skin off each chunk, and cut the plantain slices into pieces about 1 inch thick. You can adjust the size based on your preference, keeping in mind that larger slices will result in wider tostones after smashing and frying.
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Preparing the plantain
To prepare the plantain, start by trimming off both ends of the fruit. Then, use a sharp knife to carefully cut a slit along the length of the plantain, deep enough to penetrate the skin but not the flesh. You can then use the tip of the knife or your thumbs to remove the fibrous peel, starting at the slit you made. Once peeled, cut the plantain into 1-inch chunks or slices.
At this point, you have the option to soak the plantain chunks in a bowl of salted water for about 20 minutes. This will add flavour and help prevent browning and excess drying during the frying process. If you choose to do this, be sure to pat the plantain chunks dry with a paper towel before placing them in the air fryer.
If you are using frozen tostones, there is no need to thaw them out beforehand. Simply lay them out in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
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Cooking the plantain
Tostones are made with green (unripe) plantains and are a very popular side dish in many Caribbean and South American countries. They are crunchy and savoury, and are often served as a side dish or a snack.
To cook frozen tostones plantains in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen tostones in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded so they cook evenly. Spray them with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray, then air fry them at 380–400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8–10 minutes, carefully flipping them halfway through, until they’re crisp and golden brown.
If you are making tostones from fresh plantains, start by peeling the plantains and slicing them into 1-inch chunks. Soak the plantain chunks in a bowl of salted water for 20 minutes to prevent browning. After soaking, remove the plantains from the water and dry them thoroughly. Toss the plantain slices in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, ensuring each plantain is coated in a thin layer of oil. Transfer the plantains to the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each slice to allow the air to circulate. Fry until the plantain offers no resistance when pierced with the tip of a knife, which can take anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes per side.
Once the plantains are soft, remove them from the air fryer and use a tostonera (plantain smasher) or place the plantain between a piece of parchment paper or a brown paper bag and smash it with a coffee mug to flatten them to a 1/4-inch thick disc. Return the smashed plantains to the air fryer basket and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
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Serving the tostones
Air fryer tostones are best served fresh and hot. They can be a delicious appetizer or snack, and are often served as a side dish or a snack with dips like guacamole, salsa, or ceviche. You can also serve them with a combination of mayonnaise and ketchup, or with a Latin-inspired meal. Some people even top them with beans or shredded pork and eat them like little tostadas.
Tostones are naturally gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, Whole30, and Paleo-friendly. They are also healthier than traditionally fried tostones, as air frying requires a lot less oil.
If you have any leftovers, they can be stored for a day or two in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat them, simply reheat them in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, until they are heated through and crispy.
If you want to have tostones on hand for last-minute cravings, you can flatten the fried plantains and let them cool completely before storing. They will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days when covered or put in an airtight container. To reheat, put them in the microwave for about 3 minutes on medium power or in the toaster oven for about 7 minutes.
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Storing leftovers
It is important to note that the quality and crispness of the tostones will be significantly diminished after storing and reheating, so it is recommended to only make what you plan to eat the same day. However, if you want to have tostones on hand for those last-minute cravings, you can flatten the fried plantains and let them cool completely before storing them. Seal them in a freezer storage bag, and they will last for up to two months. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw them completely before frying the final time in the air fryer.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the frozen tostones in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded so they cook evenly. Spray them with non-stick cooking spray, then air fry them at 380 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re crisp and golden brown.
Air fry your frozen tostones at 380 degrees F. If you want to spritz them with olive oil first, you should preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Air fry your frozen tostones for 8-10 minutes. If you are spritzing them with olive oil first, cook them for 6 minutes, then dip them in seasoned water and cook for another 5 minutes on each side.
