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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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 pieces Green plantains
- 2 cups Vegetable oil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
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.
Cut the peeled plantains into 1-inch thick diagonal slices.
Peel and crush the garlic cloves. Mix the garlic with 1 cup of water in a small bowl and set aside.
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).
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.
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.
Dip the flattened plantains briefly into the garlic water mixture, shaking off excess liquid to avoid splatter, then return them to the hot oil.
Fry the flattened plantains for an additional 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the tostones from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately sprinkle with salt to taste.
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
Calories |
4247 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 419.1 g | 537% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.0 g | 300% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 268.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2380 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 175.4 g | 64% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.5 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.8 g | ||
| Protein | 7.3 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 34 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 2703 mg | 58% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
