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    Home » Snacks » Cuban Tostones with Garlic Sauce

    Cuban Tostones with Mojo Sauce Recipe

    Published: Oct 28, 2022 by Pavani · 33 Comments

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    Cuban tostones are crispy, crunchy and absolutely addictive. Thick slices of green plantain are fried until slightly tender, then pressed into thin piece and fried again. The second frying makes these extra crispy and amazing.

    The garlic mojo sauce is the perfect accompaniment for the tostones. Serve them hot for a snack or as an appetizer or even with rice and beans.

    Grey plate with Cuban tostones and a bowl of mojo sauce.

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    Table of contents

    • About the recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
      • Make Cuban Tostones
      • Make Cuban mojo sauce
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like
    • Recipe Card

    About the recipe

    Tostones are basically double fried green plantains. They are very popular and are a huge feature in Latin Caribbean cuisine. Fried plantains have different names like tostones, patacones, tajadas, mariquitas etc. and also come in different shapes depending on the country.

    The technique of making tostones involves frying thick slices of plantain until slightly firm. They are then cooled for a couple of minutes, then smushed/ crushed down to make a thinner piece. The second frying of these thinner slices makes tostone extra crunchy and absolutely delicious.

    There are many methods for crushing tostones for their second frying. The idea is to use a heavy, flat object to evenly apply enough pressure to the cooked plantain. This is only to gently flatten it, we do not want them to fall apart.

    Plate with fried plantains and a bowl with garlic sauce.

    There's a special tool used in Latin kitchens called a tostonera that is designed just for the smashing purpose. But I used my handy-dandy poori press for that and it worked great for me.

    These crunchy slabs of fried plantains make a very addictive snack or an appetizer when served with a garlic dipping sauce. This recipe is from Viva Vegan cookbook.

    Cuban Tostones are best when eaten hot. So serve them as soon as they are fried and seasoned. My whole family loved these crispy, crunchy and addictive. Serve them as is or with Cuban garlic sauce.

    Top view of plate with crispy Cuban tostones.

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make Cuban tostones:

    • Green Plantains ~ It is important to make sure that the plantain used is green and firm. Soft ones do not yield crispy and crunchy tostones, so best to avoid using those.
    • Salt
    • Oil ~ I use vegetable or canola oil.

    You will need a tostonera or a poori press to smash the plantain. But you can go low-tech and use a soup can, tortilla press or even a rolling pan.

    Ingredients needed to make tostones, details in recipe card.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make Cuban mojo sauce:

    • Garlic cloves
    • Good quality olive oil ~ I usually use light flavored olive oil instead of extra virgin oil.
    • Yellow onion
    • Ground cumin, black pepper and salt.
    • Lime juice
    Ingredients to make mojo sauce, details in recipe card.

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make crispy Cuban Tostones:

    Make Cuban Tostones

    Prep the plantains. Cut the ends off of the plantains. Using a sharp knife, make 3~4 shallow slits down the length of the plantain. Slide a spoon or butter knife between the peel and flesh and gently lift it. The skin should come off easily.Slice the peeled plantains at an angle into 1~1½” thick pieces.

    3 panel photo showing 2 green plantains, peeled and diced.

    Heat oil for deep frying in a heavy bottom pan on medium-high heat.

    Gently slide the plantain slices into the hot oil and fry for until slightly firm. Gently flip once midway through frying. Using a slotted spoon, remove the plantains from oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain.

    When the fried slices are just cool enough to handle; gently but firmly flatten them to about ⅜” thick. Gently drop the flattened plantains back into the hot oil and fry, turning once, until golden and crisp along the edges. Return to the paper to drain, sprinkle the hot tostones with salt, and serve immediately.

    6 panel photo showing the deep frying of plantain.

    Make Cuban mojo sauce

    In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil, garlic, onion and bring to a gently simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat to low. Simmer for 12~14 minutes or until the garlic and onion are very soft and just starting to turn golden.

    Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, pepper and ground cumin. Set aside for 2 minutes to cool slightly. Gently stir in the lime juice. Serve with tostones.

    4 panel photo showing the cooking of olive oil with onion, garlic and spices.
    Hand holding a Cuban tostone with mojo sauce.

    Expert Tips

    • Make sure to use firm green plantains for the best crispy and crunchy tostones.
    • Season the fried plantains while still hot, to ensure they are well seasoned.
    • You can use a soup can, coffee can or a tortilla press. The idea is to apply even pressure on the cooked plantain that it flattens out but not so much that it falls apart.
    • Tostones are best to serve hot.
    • You can serve garlic mojo sauce as an accompaniment to tostones or even to cooked yuca.
    • Once cooled, garlic sauce can be pureed with an immersion blender to make a smoother sauce.
    • Store leftover garlic sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
    • Mojo sauce is great to serve as salad dressing or even over rice bowls.

    You might also like

    Few more vegetarian Cuban dishes that you may want to try at home:

    • Two white cups with espresso and toast in the background
      How to make Cuban Coffee and Tostada
    • How to make Cuban Bread without Lard
    • Cuban Style Yellow Rice (Vegan recipe)
    • Cuban Black Beans for #Food of the World (Vegan Recipe)

    I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

    Recipe Card

    Plate with fried plantains and a bowl with garlic sauce.

    Cuban Tostones with Garlic Sauce

    Cuban tostones are crispy, crunchy and absolutely addictive. Serve with garlic mojo sauce and enjoy as a snack or as an appetizer.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: cuban
    Servings: 4 Servings

    Ingredients

    For Tostones:

    • 2 Green Plantains
    • As needed Oil, for deep frying
    • To taste Salt

    For Mojo Sauce:

    • ½ cup Olive Oil
    • 6 ~ 8 Garlic cloves, finely minced
    • 1 Small Yellow Onion, finely sliced
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • 2~3 tablespoons Freshly squeezed Lime juice
    • To taste Freshly ground black pepper
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    Make Cuban Tostones:

    • Prep the plantains. Cut the ends off of the plantains. Using a sharp knife, make 3~4 shallow slits down the length of the plantain. Slide a spoon or butter knife between the peel and flesh and gently lift it. The skin should come off easily.
      Slice the peeled plantains at an angle into 1~1½” thick pieces.
      2 Green Plantains
    • Heat oil for deep frying in a heavy bottom pan on medium-high heat.
      As needed Oil, for deep frying
    • Gently slide the plantain slices into the hot oil and fry for 4~5 minutes, flipping once. Using a slotted spoon, remove the plantains from oil and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain for about 2 minutes.
    • When the fried slices are just cool enough to handle, about 2~3 minutes; gently but firmly flatten them to about ⅜” thick. I use my poori press to press the fried plantains, but a soup can, tortilla press or even a rolling pan will also work.
      Gently drop the flattened plantains back into the hot oil and fry for another 3~4 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp along the edges.
      Return to the paper to drain, sprinkle the hot tostones with salt, and serve immediately.
      To taste Salt

    Make Mojo Sauce:

    • In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil, garlic, onion and bring to a gently simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat to low. Simmer for 12~14 minutes or until the garlic and onion are very soft and just starting to turn golden.
      ½ cup Olive Oil, 6 ~ 8 Garlic cloves, finely minced, 1 Small Yellow Onion, finely sliced
    • Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, pepper and ground cumin. Set aside for 2 minutes to cool slightly. Gently stir in the lime juice. Serve with tostones.
      1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin, 2~3 tablespoons Freshly squeezed Lime juice, To taste Freshly ground black pepper

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure to use firm green plantains for the best crispy and crunchy tostones.
    • Season the fried plantains while still hot, to ensure they are well seasoned.
    • You can use a soup can, coffee can or a tortilla press. The idea is to apply even pressure on the cooked plantain that it flattens out but not so much that it falls apart.
    • Tostones are best to serve hot.
    • You can serve garlic mojo sauce as an accompaniment to tostones or even to cooked yuca.
    • Once cooled, garlic sauce can be pureed with an immersion blender to make a smoother sauce.
    • Store leftover garlic sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
    • Mojo sauce is great to serve as salad dressing or even over rice bowls.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 443mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kalyani

      July 17, 2015 at 12:46 pm

      The sauce looks delish :/)) bookmarking to try ...

      Reply
    2. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      July 17, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      one of my favorite things to eat - I grew up eating these constantly although the Haitian version which we call banane peze - just so you know a cast iron pan works really well to flatten them and you can even get a device called a tostonera in some latin markets and even on amazon

      Reply
    3. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      July 17, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      one of my favorite things to eat - I grew up eating these constantly although the Haitian version which we call banane peze - just so you know a cast iron pan works really well to flatten them and you can even get a device called a tostonera in some latin markets and even on amazon

      Reply
    4. Sowmya :)

      July 21, 2015 at 11:04 pm

      Wow! That looks so tempting...I have break my rule of not deep frying too!

      Reply
    5. sneha datar

      July 27, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      This are delicious tostones, would enjoy having these.

      Reply
    6. Srivalli

      August 14, 2015 at 9:20 am

      Pavani I had enjoyed the tostones when I had made the sauce sounds new..very nicely combination..

      Reply
    7. sapna

      March 15, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, very interesting recipe with plantains. Somehow I rarely buy plantians as no one likes them, will buy them next time to try your recipe

      Reply
    8. Lata Lala

      March 17, 2020 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      Such a unique and something new to learn about how to use green plantains Pavani. Though we don't use plantains often this sounds good. Definitely worth a try.

      Reply
    9. Farah Abumaizar

      March 17, 2020 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Have never tried plantains but this recipe looks so interesting! I'm happy with anything fried ! Would love to try this out

      Reply
    10. Bry

      March 17, 2020 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      Had never heard of these or tried them before but thought I'd give it a go - amazing and addicted! These are so yummy and we'll definitely be making them again! Thanks!

      Reply
    11. Jessica Formicola

      March 17, 2020 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      These tostones are amazing! We had them with dinner last night and everyone loved them!

      Reply
    12. Carrie Robinson

      March 17, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      5 stars
      I just love fried plantains! And that sauce sounds amazing. 🙂

      Reply
    13. Toni

      March 17, 2020 at 12:08 pm

      5 stars
      My kids really loved it! Such a delicious snack!

      Reply
    14. Sandhya Nadkarni

      March 17, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      I had enjoyed tostones in Puerto Rico and yours look superb! Loved your detailed recipe.

      Reply
    15. Shailender Sharma

      March 17, 2020 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      Such a unique and splendid recipe and that too by following very easy and simple steps. Loved the post in its entirety.

      Reply
    16. Danielle

      March 18, 2020 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      So crispy so inviting - just how I LOVE my tostones to be. I've got to try them with that mojo sauce though - sounds delicious!

      Reply
    17. Jolly

      March 18, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is totally new to me. It looks so crispy and delicious! Another very interesting recipe with plantains. Will love to try!!

      Reply
    18. Mayuri Patel

      March 18, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      5 stars
      I love tostones, such a wonderful snack with a flavorful dip. Like how you've used the roti press to press the slices. I had to use my palm and it was a bit hard.

      Reply
    19. Leslie

      March 18, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      I've never heard of this plantain appetizer! I'm so intrigued by this recipe! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

      Reply
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