{"id":"tostones_f21b29f7ba","slug":"tostones-twice-fried-green-plantains","title":"Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains)","description":"Crispy, savory, and golden-brown twice-fried green plantains. These are a classic Latin American snack that are perfectly crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 large green plantains","name":"Green Plantain","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"green, unripe","notes":"peeled and sliced into 1-inch rounds","group":"Produce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 cups vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":473,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for deep frying","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 teaspoon salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 garlic cloves, smashed","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"smashed","notes":"for garlic water soak","group":"Produce","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":236,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"optional for garlic soak","group":"Liquid","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Peel the plantains by cutting off the ends and slicing through the skin lengthwise. Slice into 1-inch thick rounds.","group":"Preparation","title":"Peel the plantains","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat to about 325°F (163°C).","group":"First Fry","title":"Heat the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"First Fry"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Fry the plantain rounds for 3–4 minutes per side until they are soft and light golden, but not brown.","group":"First Fry","title":"Fry the plantain rounds","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"First Fry"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Remove plantains from the oil and drain on paper towels. Using a tostonera or the bottom of a heavy glass, smash each piece until it is about 1/4-inch thick.","group":"Smashing","title":"Remove plantains from the oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Smashing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Optional: Stir together water, smashed garlic, and a pinch of salt. Briefly dip each smashed plantain into the garlic water and pat dry.","group":"Flavoring","title":"Optional: Stir together water, smashed garlic, and a pinch of salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Flavoring"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Increase the oil heat to 350°F (177°C). Fry the smashed plantains again for 2–3 minutes per side until crisp and deep golden brown.","group":"Second Fry","title":"Increase the oil heat","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Second Fry"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Remove from oil, drain, and season immediately with salt while hot.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from oil, drain,","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Always use green, unripe plantains for tostones; yellow plantains are too sweet and soft. For extra flavor, dip the smashed plantains in salted garlic water for a few seconds before the second fry.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Caribbean","Puerto Rican","Dominican"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["Large skillet","Tostonera or heavy flat-bottomed glass","Slotted spoon","Paper towels"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","paleo","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":20,"unit":"piece","note":"Approximately 5 pieces per person"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can do the first fry and smash the plantains ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours before the second fry."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Best served fresh. If leftovers remain, store in a sealed container and reheat in an air fryer or oven to restore crispiness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 400°F (204°C) in an oven for 5 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftostones_f21b29f7ba%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=768e1833-ee9c-4b6e-90d3-9a205840321c","imageAlt":"Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["plantain","fried","crispy","savory","latin american","caribbean","paleo","vegan"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:51:26.476Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:51:26.476Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"chifles_191c5b72a2","slug":"chifles-crispy-fried-plantain-chips","title":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips)","description":"A classic Latin American snack of paper-thin green plantain slices fried until perfectly golden and crunchy, finished with a touch of salt.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Ecuadorian","Peruvian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchifles_191c5b72a2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7f3e8c86-3d11-4104-9064-fb1f6050e18f","imageAlt":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","chips","crispy","latin american","salty","vegan snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":5}]}