Explore Guides

How to Make Tostones (Fried Plantains) Cuban-Style

Start the Guide ›
Make Tostones (Fried Plantains) Cuban-Style

How to Make Tostones (Fried Plantains) Cuban-Style

Plantains (platanos) are used throughout Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. This recipe comes from Cuba where it is a popular side dish and snack.

2k Views
Step 1 of 18
I learned this recipe from my daughter's aunt, pictured here on the right with my daughter on the left. Tia is a chef at the world-famous Tropicana nightclub in Havana, Cuba. Really!

I learned this recipe from my daughter's aunt, pictured here on the right with my daughter on the left. Tia is a chef at the world-famous Tropicana nightclub in Havana, Cuba. Really!

Step 2 of 18
For this recipe you want green plantains (pictured on the right). Not yellow or black ones (though those can be used for other recipes such as Cuban platanos maduros). Again, you want very green ones.

For this recipe you want green plantains (pictured on the right). Not yellow or black ones (though those can be used for other recipes such as Cuban platanos maduros). Again, you want very green ones.

Step 3 of 18
Four plantains will serve 3-5 people.

Four plantains will serve 3-5 people.

Step 4 of 18
First step is to remove the outer peel - there are two methods to do this. I'll show you both…

First step is to remove the outer peel - there are two methods to do this. I'll show you both…

Step 5 of 18
First cut off both ends. With a sharp knife make a slice down the length of the plantain skin.

First cut off both ends. With a sharp knife make a slice down the length of the plantain skin.

Step 6 of 18
Then peel off the skin. It's not so easy but you just have to push your finger under the skin and work your way under and around it. Be prepared for some brown "staining" of your fingertips.

Then peel off the skin. It's not so easy but you just have to push your finger under the skin and work your way under and around it. Be prepared for some brown "staining" of your fingertips.

Step 7 of 18
An easier method (I think) is to first cut the plantain in pieces and then remove the skin by slicing it lengthwise and then just peel off.

An easier method (I think) is to first cut the plantain in pieces and then remove the skin by slicing it lengthwise and then just peel off.

Step 8 of 18
Whichever method you use, you want to end up with cut pieces like these.

Whichever method you use, you want to end up with cut pieces like these.

Step 9 of 18
Next you'll fry the pieces in hot oil standing up until golden brown. You'll need to turn them over to make sure both sides are cooked golden brown.

Next you'll fry the pieces in hot oil standing up until golden brown. You'll need to turn them over to make sure both sides are cooked golden brown.

Step 10 of 18
When both sides are golden, remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel.

When both sides are golden, remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel.

Step 11 of 18
Next step is to smash the tostones. You can use a can or a jar...

Next step is to smash the tostones. You can use a can or a jar...

Step 12 of 18
...a tortilla maker...

...a tortilla maker...

Step 13 of 18
...a "tostonera" which is especially made to make tostones...

...a "tostonera" which is especially made to make tostones...

Step 14 of 18
...or I use a folded brown paper bag and a good "smash" with the palm of my hand. Slide a fork under each tostone to lift from the paper bag.

...or I use a folded brown paper bag and a good "smash" with the palm of my hand. Slide a fork under each tostone to lift from the paper bag.

Step 15 of 18
Fry once again in the hot oil until golden brown.

Fry once again in the hot oil until golden brown.

Step 16 of 18
Turn over and fry on the other side until both sides are golden brown like this.

Turn over and fry on the other side until both sides are golden brown like this.

Step 17 of 18
Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt.

Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt.

Step 18 of 18
Here's a plate of tostones that my sister-in-law made for us. We LOVE these! Hope you do too!

Here's a plate of tostones that my sister-in-law made for us. We LOVE these! Hope you do too!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!
Bay Area, California USA
I love to create! All kinds of things. Food, crafts, jewelry, art, photos, theater, events, history, social justice. My proudest creation is my daughter!

Keep Exploring

Food
Make Calzone

How to Make Calzone

by Felicia Gustin

8
980
Food
Make a Delicious Tuna Salad Sandwich

How to Make a Delicious Tuna Salad Sandwich

by Felicia Gustin

4
848
Food
Make Lemon Lavender Roasted Asparagus

How to Make Lemon Lavender Roasted Asparagus

by Felicia Gustin

13
887

Start Over

142
21 Comments
Supplies
Embed

Green Plantains (NOT bananas)

Canola or Vegetable Oil

Paper Bag

Salt

Felicia Gustin

Great, Alina! So glad you enjoyed them! So yummy, right!?

(author) 5 days ago

Alina Alina

I just used your guide's method to cook some yellow ones, they were yummy 👍🍴

Alina Alina 5 days ago

Felicia Gustin

So glad you're enjoying my guides, Alina. It is fun to try the different recipes from Snapguide even though, as you say, there isn't enough time to try them all! 😜

(author) 4 months ago

Alina Alina

I had fried plantains before, the yellow ones. I had a Nigerian employer years ago and she taught me how to cook it. Yours look more special because of the flattening method. And now I can cook the green ones too. Thank you for all your great guides! I wish I had enough time to try all the awesome recipes posted by you and the other people I follow! Great job!!!

Alina Alina 4 months ago

Felicia Gustin

Thanks William! I didn't realize they also made these in Haiti. And what a great idea - using a cleaver! And a green banana. Did you see my other guide on sweet plantains? Maduras? Those are delicious too.

(author) 4 months ago

William Read

Hi, I was going to make a guide for tostones and you did such a great guide that I don't have to now. I learned how to make these in Haiti (Banane Pese). I use a cleaver to slice them for the first frying and flatten them for the second, they stick to it and are easily slid into the oil. For a really sweet tostone try doing the same method with very green regular bananas like we see when the grocer puts out a fresh shipment. Thanks!

William Read 4 months ago

Felicia Gustin

Ah the "mojo" sauce! We don't use this in our house but have had it at many a restaurant and it is yummy too. Basically it's made from mixing together & sautéing olive oil (1 c.), fresh garlic (6-10 cloves), lemon, lime or orange juice (1/4 c.) and salt (1/2 t.). There are tons of variations though so just google sauce for tostones & you'll see. 🌻

(author) 10 months ago

Weinung Huang

What about the delicious sauce? Do you have a recipe for the garlic or green sauce?

Weinung Huang 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

@Lisa. I have a great recipe for pastelitos de guayaba which I was planning to make any day now. I'm just missing one ingredient so once I have that I'll get another guide up.

(author) 10 months ago

Lisa Trifiro

I haven't had a tostone for years. These look amazing! Do you know how to make pastelitos? I've always wanted to make them but could never find a good recipe.

Lisa Trifiro 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

FYI – I just put up another guide for sweet fried plantains from Cuba known as platanos maduros.

(author) 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

@Amalia. You're totally right! Supposedly they originated in Asia then traveled to Africa and then to the Americas.

(author) 10 months ago

Heather W

So they only look like bananas. Otherwise they're nothing like them. Weird

Heather W 10 months ago

Amalia Mesa-Gustin

People eat these all around the world :)

Amalia Mesa-Gustin 10 months ago

Jessica Carrero

Heather they are not sweet and are like a starchy potato, very hard.

Jessica Carrero 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

But there is a way to cook ripe (yellow or black) plantains that is sweet vs. the savory tostones of this recipe. Maybe I'll put that one up too.

(author) 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

A plantain is usually treated as a vegetable, and not a fruit like it’s distant cousin, the banana. Plantains are not eaten raw - they are cooked. They are used in many South American, Caribbean & Indian dishes as a side or main dish. Hopefully you'll be able to find them in a supermarket near you or a specialty market.

(author) 10 months ago

Heather W

What are plantains compared to bananas?

Heather W 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

@Ariel - so happy to hear from you. They're really quite easy to make and they are so delicious! Enjoy!

(author) 10 months ago

Ariel Pineda

So glad I found this. My grandma used to make these for me when I was little, and I always wanted to learn how to make them myself :)

Ariel Pineda 10 months ago

Amalia Mesa-Gustin

I'm drooling

Amalia Mesa-Gustin 10 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Be first to comment on Step 2.

Be first to comment on Step 3.

Be first to comment on Step 4.

Be first to comment on Step 5.

Be first to comment on Step 6.

Be first to comment on Step 7.

Be first to comment on Step 8.

Be first to comment on Step 9.

Be first to comment on Step 10.

Be first to comment on Step 11.

Be first to comment on Step 12.

Amalia Mesa-Gustin

I need one of those

Amalia Mesa-Gustin 10 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 14.

Be first to comment on Step 15.

Be first to comment on Step 16.

Be first to comment on Step 17.

Be first to comment on Step 18.

Related Guides

Use Leftover Mash for Breakfast
Use Leftover Mash for Breakfas...
by Karen Larard
Cook a Bushman's Breakfast
Cook a Bushman's Breakfast
by Peter C
Make Easy Sweet Focaccia
Make Easy Sweet Focaccia
by Kathy Gori
Explore More Guides ›

©2013 Heavy Bits, Inc. | All guides ©2013 their respective authors

Sign In

Create a New Account

Join Snapguide and share what you know. Already have an account?

Why be old fashioned?
It's easier to sign in with:

By submitting this form you agree to Snapguide's
Terms of Service & Privacy Policy