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    Home >> Latin American

    Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce

    Published: October 9, 2019 • Modified: August 18, 2022 • by Author: Analida • Word count:1460 words. • About 8 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Fried green plantain or tostones with an avocado cream sauce. | ethnicspoon.com

    If you happen to be Latino(a) chances are you are eating tostones a few times per week. Tostones are fried green plantains. A food so nice they fry it twice!

    A Latin American favorite: Tostones with avocado cream sauce. | ethnicpsoon.com

    Jump to:
    • What are tostones?
    • Step by step photos
    • How to make avocado cream sauce step by step
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce Recipe Card

    Plantains are the nutritional staple of most of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a subsistence crop that grows all year round. They can be eaten green or ripe. Tostones are made with green plantains. When I was growing up, they were one of the few food items I ate. Yes, I was a picky eater.

    What are tostones?

    The taste? Starchy. The texture? Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. You fry them once, smash them flat and fry them again. Now, depending on where you are from, you might dip them, eat them plain, or just salted. In the Caribbean it's common to eat them with mojo (pronounced moho). Yes, in Spanish the j has an h sound. Mojo is a citrus sauce made with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. In Panama where I'm from, children and adults like to eat them salted with ketchup.

    Fried plantain with avocado cream sauce. | ethnicspoon.com

    Step by step photos

    A collage of photos showing the steps to make tostones by peeling plantain and frying in a pan of oil.

    1. Probably the hardest thing is peeling the plantain. The skin is a bit thick, so you need to be careful. For starters you want to slice about 1 ½ " off each end.
    2. Next, using a sharp paring knife score all the way down the length of the plantain just through the skin. Do this in two or three different spots down the length of the green plantain.
    3. Get your thumbnail under the skin and pry it up to reveal the inside of the plantain.
    4. Cut all the peeled plantain into 1" pieces.
    5. Heat enough oil on medium heat to cover the pieces. CAREFULLY remove them from the pan when golden brown and place them on a plate with some paper towels to soak up excess oil.
    6. On a cutting board place the fried plantain and smash down to ½" thickness. I like to use the bottom of a water glass. You can also cover them with plastic wrap once they are cooled to smash them down with a glass or kitchen mallet. Tip: If they do not smash easily you need to fry them a bit longer until the middle is soft.  (Recipe variation for garlic tostones: After frying once and smashing, prepare a large baking dish or plate with  about ¼ inch of room temperature water with 2 cloves of pressed/minced garlic. Stir the garlic into the water.  Place the smashed tostones in the water and garlic. Soak them for 2-3 minutes and pat them dry on a paper towel before frying the second time in step 7 .)
    7. Fry them once again a second time and watch the edges until they turn golden brown.
    8. They are done when the edges are golden brown and crispy. 

     

    How to make avocado cream sauce step by step

    A collage of photos showing the ingredients to make avocado cream sauce made in a mini food processor to serve with tostones.

    1. Gather all the ingredients: 2 ripe avocados, 1 garlic clove minced, ½ tsp Kosher salt, ¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper, 1 Tbsp lime juice, 1 Tbsp cilantro chopped, ¼ tsp chili powder, ¼ cup sour cream.
    2. Place all the ingredients into a mini food processor.
    3. Blend until it has a very smooth texture.
    4. Dip your crispy tostones in the avocado cream sauce and enjoy! ¡Buen provecho!

    Frequently asked questions

    • Can I freeze the tostones? Yes, you can freeze batches of tostones after you fry them the first time and smash them. Place the smashed fried tostones in a container with wax paper between layers.  You can take them out to thaw, pat them dry and fry them a second time and serve.
    • Can I use yellow plantains to make tostones? No, once they have turned from green to yellow they will be way too soft. Ripe plaintains loose their starchy flavor and begin to turn soft and sweet.
    • Can I make tostones in an air fryer? Yes, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the peeled pieces with olive oil or canola oil. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F. Remove them, smash them down, spray with oil on top and fry in single layers for 4 minutes on one side. Flip them over with tongs, spray the other side and fry for another 4-5 minutes until crispy.
    • How do I reheat them? Place the tostones on a baking tray in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. You can also place them on foil in a toaster oven on the pull out rack and use the toast function of the toaster oven. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes.

    By the way, in Panama for some reason, they call tostones "patacones". Why? I am not really sure, but all my Latin American friends find this rather amusing.

    Easy Shrimp Mofongo - Mashed and fried plantains mixed with chicharones and served with a tomatoey stew with buttery shrimp. 

    Jibarito - A Chicago-style sandwich inspired by the flavors of Puerto Rico. The outside is made from fried plantain planks making it breadless. 

    Ropa Vieja - Literally translates to "old clothes" this is a Latin American stewed beef recipe that works well over rice or in tacos. 

    Smokey Chicken Tinga - Smokey pulled chicken that you can make in the crockpot and enjoy with tacos, in empanadas, or over rice. 

    Looking for more recipes?  
    Sign up for my free recipe newsletter to get new recipes in your inbox each week!  You can also find me sharing more inspiration in Pinterest and Facebook.

    5 from 4 votes
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    Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce Recipe Card

    Fried green plantains paired with avocado cream sauce makes a perfect appetizer or side dish. Tostones are a favorite Caribbean and Latin American dish.

    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Latin American
    Keyword tapas
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: Change to adjust-> 6 people
    Calories 200 kcal
    Author Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    Tostones:

    • 2 green plantains
    • 1 tsp Kosher salt
    • vegetable oil for frying

    Avocado Cream Sauce:

    • 2 ripe avocados
    • 1 garlic clove minced
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt
    • ¼ tsp ground pepper fresh
    • 1 Tbsp lime juice
    • 1 Tbsp cilantro chopped
    • ¼ tsp chili powder
    • ¼ cup sour cream

    Instructions

    Make the Avocado Cream Sauce:

    1. Dice avocados, place them in the food processor with all the ingredients. Process on high. The consistency should be creamy. Chill in the refrigerator.

    Make the Tostones:

    1. Slice off about 1.5" inches off the ends of the plantain.

    2. Score down the length of the plantain skin with a paring knife. Do this in two or three separate spots. Get your thumbnail under the skin to remove it.

    3. Cut 1" pieces. Fry in enough vegetable oil, to cover the pieces, until they begin to turn golden.
    4. Remove and drain on paper towel.
    5. Using the bottom of a glass press down unit they are about ½ inch thick, and sprinkle with salt. Fry again until golden brown.

    6. Serve immediately with the avocado cream sauce.

    Air fryer method:

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

    2. Spray the plantain slices with olive or canola oil spray.

    3. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F then remove and smash flat to about ½ inch.

    4. Spray the tops of the smashed plantain and fry in single layers for 5 minutes at 400°F.

    5. Flip over the plantains, spray with oil and fry again for 4-5 minutes at 400°F until crispy.

    Recipe Notes

    Garlic Tostones Variation: Prepare a large baking dish or plate with  about ¼ inch of room temperature water with 2 cloves of pressed/minced garlic. Stir the garlic into the water.  Place the smashed tostones in the water and garlic mixture just after you smash them. Soak them for 2-3 minutes and pat them dry on a paper towel.  Fry them the second time until golden brown for crispy garlic tostones.

    Frequently asked questions:

    • Can I freeze the tostones? Yes, you can freeze batches of tostones after you fry them the first time and smash them. Place the smashed fried tostones in a container with wax paper between layers.  You can take them out to thaw, pat them dry and fry them a second time and serve.
    • Can I use yellow plantains to make tostones? No, once they have turned from green to yellow they will be way too soft. Ripe plaintains loose their starchy flavor and begin to turn soft and sweet.
    • Can I make tostones in an air fryer? Yes, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the peeled pieces with olive oil or canola oil. Air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F. Remove them, smash them down, spray with oil on top and fry in single layers for 4 minutes on one side. Flip them over with tongs, spray the other side and fry for another 4-5 minutes until crispy.
    • How do I reheat them? Place the tostones on a baking tray in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. You can also place them on foil in a toaster oven on the pull out rack and use the toast function of the toaster oven. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes.
    Nutrition Facts
    Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce Recipe Card
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 200 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Cholesterol 4mg1%
    Sodium 598mg26%
    Potassium 636mg18%
    Carbohydrates 25g8%
    Fiber 5g21%
    Sugar 9g10%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 865IU17%
    Vitamin C 18.6mg23%
    Calcium 20mg2%
    Iron 0.7mg4%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Fried green plantain or tostones with an avocado cream sauce. | ethnicspoon.com

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Denise Wright

      August 19, 2015 at 8:07 am

      I just had plantains last summer and fell in love with them. We used to have a store close by that sold them but they went out of business so it's hard for me to find them. But when I do, I'm make these. They look great and I never turn down something with avocado it in. Yum!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 19, 2015 at 9:51 am

        Yes, plantains are great!!! I am glad you like them.

        Reply
    2. Joy @ Joy Love Food

      August 19, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      I love tostones, these sound wonderful with the avocado dipping sauce, yum!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 19, 2015 at 6:28 pm

        Thanks!!!
        tostones are one of my favorites.

        Reply
    3. Chrissa - Physical Kitchness

      August 24, 2015 at 11:17 am

      Ok I am loving what you've done here!!! This looks like the perfect, refreshing little snack. I definitely need to make these! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 24, 2015 at 1:03 pm

        Hi Chrissa. Thanks for commenting. These are among my favorites.

        Reply
    4. Malia @ Small Town Girl

      August 27, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      Wow these sound amazing. I wish I had these on a daily basis!!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 28, 2015 at 5:20 pm

        LOL, arent' tostones fabulous? I also wish I could eat them every day.

        Reply
    5. download ebooks online in booksmate.org

      September 02, 2015 at 4:50 am

      Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you are a great
      author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back from now on. I want
      to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 03, 2015 at 6:41 pm

        Thank you for your kind words. They are much appreciated.

        Reply
    6. Faye Wilkerson

      September 06, 2015 at 2:22 pm

      Walmart has plantains but they are usually ripe. I will have to be on lookout for green ones so I can try this recipe.

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 07, 2015 at 12:56 pm

        Keep checking. I often find the green ones at my local Walmart.

        Reply
    7. Mary

      March 21, 2016 at 3:15 pm

      Hello. I was at a Columbian restaurant and they served fried plantains with a type of pineapple sauce. Do you have a recipe for the auce?

      Reply
      • Analida

        March 21, 2016 at 8:31 pm

        Mary I do not, I am sorry. I can't eat pineapples, I am very allergic. I think if you google pineapple salsa, or pineapple dipping sauce you will find something. Good luck, and thanks for leaving a comment 🙂

        Reply
    8. Onatelma

      April 20, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Plantain is a yummy choice for receiving rich nutrients and making a good combination with other forms of meal.

      Reply
      • Analida

        April 21, 2018 at 6:13 am

        I agree with what you have to say about plantains. They are amazing. I also like to eat them ripe because then they have a sweet taste.

        Reply
    9. Alicia

      October 06, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome dip. I just made it - followed the exact recipe and it came out delicious. Thank you for sharing it

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 11, 2018 at 9:01 am

        Thanks Alicia! This is one of my favorites!

        Reply
    10. Carolina

      February 25, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      Delicious! My parents are from Medellin Colombia and they also call them patacones. I never heard the term tostones until I was exposed to the Cuban culture in Miami.

      Reply
    11. jack

      November 21, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      Dip was delish! We made plantains with ripe plantains but looking forward to trying this twice-fried version. Thanks!

      Reply
    12. Trent Merck

      May 23, 2021 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      The avocado cream sauce is amazing! My fiancé is Cuban and has been pushing me to eat avocados and I haven’t found any way I liked to eat them until I found this recipe! This avocado cream sauce blends perfectly with plantains. We love to make it as a pair with some fresh margaritas or as an appetizer. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!

      Reply
      • Analida

        June 04, 2021 at 10:39 am

        I am so glad you enjoy the tostones with cream sauce! My family love them too!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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