Air fryer tostones, or fried plantains, are a sweet, crispy side dish that pairs perfectly with meat dishes. You can also serve air fryer tostones with pico de gallo or guacamole—it’s an appetizer bursting with Caribbean flavor!
Making tostones in the air fryer is much easier and less demanding than frying them in oil—and, it’s healthier. No hot oil or excessive trans fats. In the air fryer, making tostones is simple, healthy, and mess-free.
Tostones are a traditional Caribbean side dish made from green plantains. They’re widely popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. You can find them in traditional dishes from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama too, they’re just called by a different name: patacones.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Tostones
- Crispy and sweet! These air fryer tostones are crispy on the outside and bursting with sweet banana flavor.
- Healthier than traditional cooking methods! Traditionally, Latin chefs double-fry plantain bites in hot oil. Cooking tostones in the air fryer is a much healthier alternative.
- A fun Caribbean appetizer! Trying foods from other countries and cultures is a great way to mix up your weeknight dinner rotation.
If you love this air fryer tostones recipe, be sure to check out our Air Fryer Banana Chips recipe—it’s sweet, healthy, and great for snacking. Do you enjoy air fryer recipes with Latin roots? Check out this Mexican Street Corn recipe, it’s cheesy, spicy and delicious!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- For sweeter tostones, use green bananas. The taste of your tostones depends entirely on the ripeness of the bananas or plantains you choose. We used green bananas for this recipe for a sweeter, more carmelized flavor (riper, yellow plantains will also get that sweet flavor). If you use green plantains, you’ll get a more crunchy, starchy flavor that combines well with guacamole and pico de gallo.
- Use any flat, hard surface to smash the tostones. Use a cutting board, plate, or glass cup to flatten the tostones. Don’t forget to add a piece of parchment paper or a plastic bag to cover the tostones so they don’t stick.
- Air fry, smash, then air fryer some more. These tostones need to be double air fried before they’re fully cooked. Make sure you put your tostones back in the air fryer to finish cooking after you flatten them.
How to Store Air Fryer Tostones
This is a dish that’s best fresh out of the air fryer. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to two days in the fridge. To reheat them, put them in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 3-4 minutes.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Tostones
In Latin America, tostones are traditionally served with rice, beans, and meat. They are also sometimes served as a side to accompany seafood dishes like fried fish or shrimp. You can also eat air fryer tostones with a dipping sauce like guacamole or sour cream.
Turn these air fryer tostones into an impressive appetizer by making them into plantain cups filled with guacamole, salsa, or shredded beef. Instead of smashing them with a glass cup, cover a lemon juicer with plastic wrap, place a plantain piece inside, and squeeze to form a cup shape.
More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Frozen Okra: This popular southern side dish is delicious with BBQ and fried chicken. It’s super crispy and ready in less than 20 minutes!
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob: Made in the air fryer, corn on the cob has a delicious roasted flavor (just like when you make it in the oven). After just 10 minutes, you can slather this corn in butter, salt, and pepper, and enjoy!
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts: With a crispy crunch on the outside and a roasted, caramelized flavor, these brussel sprouts are a fantastic vegetable side dish!
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Air Fryer Tostones
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 3 plantains green
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Peel and cut the plantains into small pieces.
- Place the plantains in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
- Put the plantains in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook the plantains for 3-5 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Carefully remove the hot plantains from the air fryer basket. One by one, place each piece between a folded piece of parchment paper, and use a glass to press it into a 1/4-inch thick disc.
- Return the flattened plantains to the air fryer basket. Spray the tops with cooking oil spray, then air fry for 3 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Flip, spray again, and air fry for another 3-5 minutes at the same temperature, until crispy.
Notes
- This recipe can be made in an air fryer unit with a basket or an air fryer oven. If you are using an air fryer oven, use the middle rack and choose the “Air Fry” function.
- Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Make sure to check your food as it’s cooking to learn your air fryer better and avoid over- or undercooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tostones are a traditional Caribbean side dish made from green plantains. Traditionally, they’re twice-fried in hot oil and served with rice, beans, meat, or seafood.
They’re widely popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. You can also find them in traditional dishes from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama too, they’re just called by a different name: patacones.
Yes! Making tostones in the air fryer is easier and healthier than traditional methods since it doesn’t require any hot oil.
To make tostones in the air fryer, first, cut them into pieces and air fry for 3-5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Then, press the pieces into flat disks, and air fry for 3 minutes on each side at the same temperature.
