Air Fryer Tostones: Crispy, Healthy Plantain Perfection!

Craving crispy, golden tostones but want to skip the deep frying? Look no further! This air fryer tostones recipe delivers all the satisfying crunch with significantly less oil. Tostones, also known as patacones, are twice-fried plantain slices, a staple in Latin American cuisine. Traditionally, they’re submerged in oil, but this air fryer version offers a healthier, easier way to enjoy this delicious treat. Get ready to experience the perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, starchy interior – all guilt-free!

Why Air Fryer Tostones?

The air fryer has revolutionized the way we cook, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying while maintaining that desirable crispy texture. Here’s why you should make your tostones in the air fryer:

• Less Oil: Significantly reduces the amount of oil used, making them a healthier option.
• Crispy Texture: Achieves the same crispy exterior as traditionally fried tostones.
• Easy Cleanup: No messy oil splatters or complicated cleanup required.
• Faster Cooking Time: Air frying often cooks food faster than traditional frying or baking.
• Consistent Results: The air fryer circulates hot air evenly, ensuring consistent cooking and crisping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients:

• Green Plantains: The key ingredient! Choose plantains that are firm and green, with minimal yellowing. Ripe plantains will be too soft and sweet for tostones.
• Oil: A neutral oil like avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil is best.
• Salt: For seasoning.
• Garlic Powder (Optional): Adds a subtle savory flavor.
• Water (Optional): Sometimes used to soften the plantains slightly before the second fry.

Step-by-Step Air Fryer Tostones Recipe

Follow these detailed steps to make perfect air fryer tostones every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Plantains

1. Wash the Plantains: Rinse the plantains thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Cut off the Ends: Using a sharp knife, cut off both ends of each plantain.
3. Score the Skin: Make shallow lengthwise slits along the plantain skin, being careful not to cut into the flesh. This will make peeling easier. Run the knife along the length of the plantain, making 3-4 scores.
4. Peel the Plantains: Use your fingers or the tip of a knife to peel away the skin. It can be a little tough, so be patient. If the skin is difficult to remove, you can soak the plantains in warm water for a few minutes to soften it.
5. Cut into Chunks: Cut each plantain into 1-inch thick rounds. You should get about 5-6 pieces per plantain.

Step 2: First Fry (Air Fryer)

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and crispier results.
2. Lightly Oil the Plantains: In a bowl, toss the plantain slices with about 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Make sure each piece is lightly coated. You can also spray them with cooking spray.
3. Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket: Place the plantain slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. Overcrowding the basket will result in steamed, not crispy, tostones. You may need to cook them in batches.
4. Air Fry: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the plantains are slightly softened and lightly golden.

Step 3: Flatten the Tostones

1. Remove from Air Fryer: Carefully remove the plantain slices from the air fryer basket and place them on a clean cutting board.
2. Flatten the Plantains: This is a crucial step! Use a tostonera (a special plantain press), a small plate, or the bottom of a glass to flatten each plantain slice into a disc about ½ inch thick. Be firm but gentle to avoid breaking the plantain. If using a plate or glass, place the plantain between two pieces of parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Second Fry (Air Fryer)

1. Lightly Oil Again: Lightly brush or spray the flattened tostones with a little more oil.
2. Return to Air Fryer: Place the flattened tostones back in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Air Fry: Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Air fry for another 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tostones are golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Season and Serve

1. Season Immediately: As soon as the tostones come out of the air fryer, sprinkle them generously with salt and, if desired, garlic powder.
2. Serve Hot: Serve the tostones immediately while they are still hot and crispy.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Tostones

• Choose the Right Plantains: Green plantains are essential for tostones. Avoid plantains that are yellow or have black spots, as they will be too ripe and sweet.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Cook the tostones in batches to ensure they are evenly cooked and crispy. Overcrowding will lead to steamed, not fried, results.
• Use Enough Oil: While you’re using less oil than deep frying, don’t skimp entirely. A light coating of oil helps the tostones crisp up properly.
• Flatten Evenly: Ensure the tostones are flattened evenly for consistent cooking and crispiness.
• Adjust Cooking Time: Air fryers vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve the desired level of crispness.
• Experiment with Seasonings: Get creative with your seasonings! Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Soaking Plantains (Optional): For softer tostones, soak the plantain slices in salted water for 15-20 minutes after the first fry and before flattening. This helps to tenderize them.

Serving Suggestions

Tostones are incredibly versatile and can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or even a snack. Here are some popular serving suggestions:

• Dipping Sauces: Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as:
  • Garlic Aioli
  • Guacamole
  • Salsa
  • Sour Cream
  • Spicy Mayo
  • Cilantro-Lime Sauce
• Toppings: Top with:
  • Shredded Chicken or Pork
  • Black Beans
  • Cheese
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Avocado
• As a Side Dish: Serve alongside:
  • Cuban Sandwiches
  • Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef)
  • Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice)
  • Grilled Fish or Chicken

Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are a few variations to try:

• Sweet Plantain Tostones (Maduros): Use ripe plantains (yellow with black spots) for a sweeter version. The cooking time may need to be adjusted.
• Garlic Tostones: Mince a clove of garlic and add it to the oil when coating the plantains for an extra garlicky flavor.
• Spicy Tostones: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or your favorite chili powder to the oil or sprinkle it on the tostones after cooking.
• Herb-Infused Tostones: Add fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to the oil for a fragrant twist.

Troubleshooting

• Tostones are not crispy: Make sure your air fryer is preheated properly and that you are not overcrowding the basket. Also, ensure you are using enough oil.
• Tostones are too hard: You may have overcooked them. Reduce the cooking time slightly. Soaking the plantains in salted water before the second fry can also help to soften them.
• Tostones are sticking to the air fryer basket: Make sure you are lightly oiling the basket or using parchment paper specifically designed for air fryers.

Air Fryer Tostones Recipe Card

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 green plantains
• 2-3 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado, vegetable, or canola oil)
• Salt, to taste
• Garlic powder (optional)

Equipment:

• Air Fryer
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Tostonera or small plate/glass

Instructions

1. Wash, cut the ends off, score the skin, and peel the green plantains.
2. Cut each plantain into 1-inch thick rounds.
3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
4. Toss plantain slices with 1-2 tablespoons of oil.
5. Arrange plantains in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
6. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until slightly softened.
7. Remove from air fryer and flatten each slice into a ½-inch thick disc using a tostonera or plate.
8. Lightly brush or spray the flattened tostones with more oil.
9. Return to air fryer, increase temperature to 400°F (200°C).
10. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
11. Season immediately with salt and garlic powder (optional).
12. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or toppings.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Per serving (approximate):

• Calories: 200-250
• Fat: 8-12g
• Carbohydrates: 30-40g
• Protein: 2-3g

Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients and serving sizes used.

Enjoy Your Air Fryer Tostones!

This air fryer tostones recipe is a game-changer. It’s quick, easy, and delivers perfectly crispy tostones without all the guilt of deep frying. Enjoy them as a snack, appetizer, or side dish, and let us know in the comments how you like to serve them! Buen provecho!