Tostones or Fried Banana Venezuela
Crispy, golden, and perfectly savory, Tostones or Fried Banana Venezuela is a classic South American snack or side dish that transforms humble green plantains into an irresistible treat. This recipe showcases a crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside goodness achieved through a double-frying technique, with a brief dip in garlicky water adding a subtle punch of flavor. With just five simple ingredients—green plantains, garlic, vegetable oil, water, and salt—you’ll create a dish that naturally pairs with creamy guasacaca or a tangy garlic dipping sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or companion to your favorite meal, these Venezuelan-style tostones offer a taste of Latin comfort food in under 30 minutes. Whether you're hosting a party or craving something unique, these fried plantains will be the star of your table!
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Ingredients
- 3 pieces Green plantains
- 2 cups Vegetable oil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Water
Directions
Step 1
Peel the green plantains. To do this, cut off both ends of each plantain, then make a shallow slit along the length of the peel. Use your fingers to gently pry off the peel.
Step 2
Cut the peeled plantains into 1-inch thick diagonal slices.
Step 3
Peel and crush the garlic cloves. Mix the garlic with 1 cup of water in a small bowl and set aside.
Step 4
Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep frying pan over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 350°F).
Step 5
Fry the plantain slices in batches, ensuring they don’t overlap in the skillet. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes per side until they are light golden and softened slightly. Remove them from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 6
While the plantains are warm, flatten each slice using the bottom of a glass, a small plate, or a tostonera (plantain press) to about 1/4-inch thick.
Step 7
Dip the flattened plantains briefly into the garlic water mixture, shaking off excess liquid to avoid splatter, then return them to the hot oil.
Step 8
Fry the flattened plantains for an additional 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 9
Remove the tostones from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately sprinkle with salt to taste.
Step 10
Serve the tostones warm as a side dish, a snack, or an appetizer. They pair well with guasacaca (Venezuelan avocado sauce) or garlic dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1300g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 4246.6 |
| Total Fat 419.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 60.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 268.8g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2380.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 175.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 12.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 44.8g | |
| Protein 7.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 34.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 1.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2703.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories