Latina Mom Meals

  • Recipe Index
  • Puerto Rican
  • Cuban Recipes
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Puerto Rican
  • Cuban Recipes
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Puerto Rican
  • Cuban Recipes
  • About
×
Home » Appetizers

Crispy Garlic Tostones | Twice Fried Plantains

By Neyssa · Published March 1, 2019 · Updated September 10, 2026

5 from 3 votes
♥

↓ Jump to Recipe
Pin the Recipe

Crispy garlic tostones have always been a favorite side to add to almost every dish! These twice fried plantains are perfect to accompany your Latin breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

tostones with mayoketchup

What are tostones?

Fried plantains are quick and easy. There are two different kinds of fried plantains, one is tostones, which is a green plantain that is twice fried and crispy. The other kind of fried plantains is called maduros, which is a ripe yellow/brown plantain that is a fried sweet plantain and soft.

Tostones are a favorite Caribbean appetizer that is dipped into a ketchup mayo sauce or a mojo sauce. It's a simple side dish that is made in minutes!

How To Make Tostones

green plantain on a wooden cutting board

First, for tostones (twice fried plantains) you want to get green plantains, cut off the ends, and gently slice the flesh to peel. The flesh of plantains are NOT like a banana in the sense that it will peel away easily. You can use the back of a spoon to safely help you lift the thicker skin.

peeled and chopped green plantains on a cutting board

Once the skin is removed cut the plantain into 6-10 chunks, depending on the size of your plantain. Oh, quick tip, look for the BIGGEST plantains you can find. 🙂 

fried plantains

In batches, fry plantains for about 2 minutes until a light golden color. 

flattened fried plantain

Remove from heat, and using a flat surface like the back of a cup or plate (or large wooden spoon), squish the plantains before returning to the oil to fry again for an additional minute or until tostones turn a beautiful golden with hints of brown.

As soon as the crispy tostones are done, remove from oil, place on paper towel sheet and sprinkle garlic powder and a pinch of salt over it. These twice fried plantains are amazing with even minced garlic for a bold crispy garlic tostones recipe!

tostones with mayo ketchup

Tostones are best eaten immediately. If you let them sit, they will harden. It's best to cook green plantains last when making a meal, this way you serve them right away.

Thank you for visiting and I hope this crispy garlic tostones recipe will be a favorite in your family, like it is in mine! Buen provecho mi gente!

tostones with mayoketchup
Author: Neyssa
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Crispy Garlic Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

These crispy garlic tostones are the ultimate fried green plantains that are the perfect Latin appetizer to make with dinner!
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 3 green plantains
  • 2 cups of vegetable oil
  • salt
  • garlic powder or minced garlic

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark
  • Cut of the ends of the green plantains, and gently slice a vertical cut down the arch of the plantain.
  • Remove the skin with your hands or the back of a spoon.
  • Cut the plantains into 6-10 even chunks, depending on the size of the plantain. (1 inch chunks)
  • Fry plantains in batches for 3-5 minutes, or until plantains are a nice golden color.
  • Remove plantains from heat and immediate smash plantains with the back of a flat bowl or wooden spoon.
  • Return smashed plantains to the frying pan. Fry an additional 2-3 minutes, or until plantains are golden with a slight browning on edges.
  • Remove plantains from heat and sprinkle salt and garlic powder or fresh minced garlic over the plantains.
  • Serve immediately.
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

 

More Appetizers

  • Close up of guava bbq wings garnished with lime zest
    Guava BBQ Wings Recipe
  • Guineos en escabeche on a white plate with peppercorn, bay leaves, olives, and more!
    Guineos escabache con mollejas
  • Cuban malanga fritters in a dip on a wire rack
    Malanga Fritters
  • croquettes on a gray plate
    Ham and Cheese Croquettes

Comments

    5 from 3 votes

    Did You Make This Recipe? Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Essy says

    August 25, 2020 at 12:02 am

    5 stars
    I'm new trying to learn how to cook
    I never have been interested in cooking recently married to a Puerttorican who loves to cook and I just love this food and want to learn how to make it❤??

    Reply
  2. Brenda Clark says

    November 29, 2022 at 1:31 am

    5 stars
    Abuela used the plantain peeling to smash, she put the cut piece on inside skin n smashed by folding with over peeling and smashing w her hand..also we make mariquitas w green plantains, chip sz slices fried in oil like chips.. have a great one, gl

    Reply
  3. Marta says

    November 27, 2024 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    I love how this website doesn't just provide a recipe. It gives a lot of background information. It like a recipe and a culture lesson. Great photos, too.

    Reply
Neyssa Jump with a water view background

Hola, I'm Neyssa

♥

When I moved away from home—and the community that kept the culture alive—I felt like something was missing.

I found my way home back through food.

If you’ve ever felt that same longing for home, pull up a chair. Stay while.

Let’s remember our roots, teach our kids our traditions, and keep these recipes going for the next generation.

LEARN MORE →



Latest Recipes

  • Close up of homemade sofrito in a food processor
    Authentic Puerto Rican Sofrito Recipe
  • Close up of styled pepitas on Pumpkin Flan
    Pumpkin Cream Cheese Flan
  • Square close up image of the sweet curds of dulce de leche cortada with the brown syrup in a gray bowl.
    Dulce de leche Cortada (Curdled Milk Dessert)
  • OVerhead shot of horchata in a glass cup with cinnamon sticks, ice, and grains of rice in the blue background.
    Creamy Classic Horchata

warm weather Favorites

  • Puerto Rican potato salad in a blue bowl with cilantro as garnish
    Puerto Rican Potato Salad
  • Guineos en escabeche on a white plate with peppercorn, bay leaves, olives, and more!
    Guineos escabache con mollejas
  • Pollow a la barbacoa chicken on a teal plate
    Pollo a la Barbacoa (Cuban Soy Butter Chicken)
  • A cup of Puerto Rican horchata is in a glass cup with a cinnamon stick and a sliver of twirling lemon rind for garnish.
    Horchata de Ajonjoli

Footer

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms
  • Accessibility
  • ↑ back to top

©2026 Latina Mom Meals • All rights reserved.

fried plantains on a paper lined plate

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.