This 2-ingredient air fryer tostones recipe takes the traditional Mexican tostones and reinvents them into a crispy, healthy treat with twice-fried green plantains.
Crispy, crunchy tostones without the oil or effort - air fryer tostones. Traditional tostones are an indulgent treat found throughout Latin America and the Caribbean that are prepared by frying green plantains twice. Tostones in the air fryer give you all the same amazing textures and flavors without the hassle or grease of double frying.
These air fryer tostones are a lighter version of traditional Colombian tostones and truly one of the easiest tostones recipes around, made in minutes and with only two ingredients in your air fryer basket. Make this as an easy appetizer for your next gathering, or a healthy snack to munch on at home!
The Benefits of Cooking Tostones in the Air Fryer
If you haven't guessed it by now, I just love making air fried plantains, in all shapes, colors and levels of ripeness.
Cooking tostones in the air fryer is such a great method for preparing this tasty dish.
Not only do they come out perfectly golden brown each time, but they're so delicious this way. I also love not having to worry about a greasy clean up or spending tons of time deep frying. With an air fryer, this easy tostones recipe is fast enough to add to a weeknight dinner or enjoy as a midday snack.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Tostones?
There are really no wrong ways to serve air fryer tostones. You can enjoy the tostones simply on their own or add your favorite dipping sauce to the mix. A combination of mayonnaise and ketchup is a popular choice, but I'm a big fan of pairing salsa verde, pico de gallo, Colombian ají, or even guacamole with my tostones. To make a light meal, make them alongside a batch of Colombian ceviche or a fun side dish to Colombian chicken drumsticks.
Tostones are really best when they're hot and fresh out of the air fryer. However, you can store leftover tostones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The leftovers will be slightly less crispy than the originals, but still heat up nicely after being placed in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Top Tips
Measure ingredients accurately - While pita dough is forgiving, small differences in flour, yogurt, or water can affect texture. Use a kitchen scale if possible for consistent results every time.
Let the dough rest between handling - Even outside of rising, giving the dough short rests while shaping or rolling allows gluten to relax, making rolling easier and improving puffing.
Keep the dough covered while working - Pita dough dries quickly when exposed to air. Cover any unused portions with a towel or plastic wrap during shaping to prevent cracking or tough edges.
Recipe
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Colombian air fryer tostones
Ingredients
- 2 green plantains
- Regular table salt
- Flaky sea salt such as Maldon sea salt
- Cooking spray
- Pico de gallo optional
- Colombian aji hot sauce, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the plantains. Start by cutting off the ends of the plantains, then make a shallow cut along the length of each plantain, just enough to penetrate the skin.
- Peel the plantains by inserting your thumb into the cut and gently pulling the skin away from the flesh. Cut the peeled plantains into thick slices, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
- Line your air fryer basket with air fryer liners or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Lightly coat the liners with cooking spray.
- Arrange the plantain slices in a single layer in the lined air fryer basket. It's okay if they overlap slightly, but avoid overcrowding.
- Lightly spray the tops of the plantain slices with cooking spray and sprinkle them with regular table salt.
- Place the basket in the preheated air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes.
- After the initial 10 minutes of cooking, gently take out the plantain slices from the air fryer. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a paper towel. Then, cover them with another layer of parchment paper. Applying pressure on the tostones using a large casserole dish or a similar flat object. Press down firmly to flatten them, making them thinner, wider, and less defined in shape.
- Return the plantain slices to the air fryer basket using tongs or a fork. Lightly spray the other side with cooking spray and sprinkle with regular table salt.
- Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the tostones are golden brown and crispy.
- Once the tostones are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- While the tostones are still hot, sprinkle them generously with flaky sea salt, such as Maldon sea salt. The contrast between the crispy texture and the flaky sea salt adds a delicious touch.
- Serve the tostones with your favorite pico de gallo and Colombian aji on the side for dipping. Enjoy them as a tasty snack or as a side dish to complement your meal.
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
How to Make Tostones in an Air Fryer
Prep the plantains
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
While waiting for the air fryer to heat up, start preparing the plantains. Trim off the ends of the plantains and make a shallow lengthwise cut on each, just enough to break through the skin. Remove the plantain skins by gently peeling them away from the flesh using your thumb. Cut the peeled plantains into slices about 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick.
Cooking the Tostones
To prevent sticking, line your air fryer basket with air fryer liners or parchment paper. Apply a light coating of cooking spray to the liners.
Arrange the plantain slices in a single layer within the lined air fryer basket, ensuring they slightly overlap without overcrowding. Spritz the tops of the plantain slices with cooking spray and sprinkle them with regular table salt.
Insert the basket into the preheated air fryer and cook for approximately 10 minutes.
Smash the tostones
Now comes the all-important part of pressing the tostones. Tostones are twice fried plantains, and this is what makes this recipe unique!
Once 10 minutes have passed, carefully remove the plantain slices from the air fryer. Arrange them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or a paper towel. Cover them with another layer or parchment paper, and press on the tostones with a large casserole dish, until they become thinner, flatter and wider, and lose their defined shape.
Fry a second time
Flip the tostones using tongs or a fork, and return them to the air fryer. Apply a light coating of cooking spray and sprinkle regular table salt on the other side.
Place the basket back in the air fryer and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes until the tostones achieve a golden brown and crispy texture.
Finishing Touches
Remove the cooked tostones from the air fryer and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
While the tostones are still warm, generously sprinkle them with flaky sea salt, such as Maldon sea salt. This will add a delightful contrast to the crispy texture.
Serving
Serve air-fryer tostones alongside your preferred pico de gallo and Colombian aji for dipping. Enjoy them as a delectable snack or as a side dish to complement your main course.
Note: If you do not possess an air fryer, you can achieve similar results by cooking the tostones in a skillet with a small amount of oil until they turn golden brown on both sides. Adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Storage
More Plantain Dishes
For more plantain dishes, try these equally easy and delicious air fryer plantain chips or platanos maduros fries. You can also try this plantain latkes with lime crema sauce or baked plantains with guava and cheese for something sweet.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you want to put that air fryer to good use, here are some of my favorite recipes to make it! You can't go wrong with these delicious air fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, which are super sticky, gooey and unbelievably easy. For vegetarian air-fryer-friendly options, see my crispy air fryer tofu or cheese bites in the air fryer. If you want to add some veggies to your dinner, try roast air fryer asparagus.
Sherry Ronning says
I learned a lot from your air fryer tostones recipe. My family loves plantains and this made a great after school snack for my kids. Thank you for a great air fryer recipe!
Shilpa says
This was so good! Perfect as a side dish with our meals.
Shilpa says
This was so good! Perfect as a side dish with our meals
Donna says
I would never have thought to make these in the air fryer, but they turned out just perfectly!
Claire says
These were so good.
Crispy but not oily and with the salt on them they were so yummy.
Great recipe, THANK YOU