Best Patacones recipe: Easy fried green plantains
Craving a taste of Latin America? Dive into the crispy goodness of Patacones! Made from green plantains, these golden delights are fried to perfection, then flattened and fried again for extra crunch. Sprinkle with salt and serve with a slice of queso blanco for an authentic experience that’s sure to satisfy your cravings! Or make them part of a delicious patacon sandwich With all your favorite toppings. Or dip these tasty banana chips into your favourite dips for a healthy chips experience that's full of rich flavors!
Ingredients
Patacones recipe ingredients:
- 4 green plantains don’t use yellow
- 35 oz (1liter) vegetable oil or enough to make a 1” layer of oil
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- Optional sweet seasoning:
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar mix
Instructions
How to make big tostones of fried green bananas:
- Start by peeling the plantain and cutting it into 3 or 4 pieces crosswise.
- To peel the plantain easily, trim about 1/4" off each end, then carefully slice the skin down one side without cutting into the fruit itself.
- Gently pry the peel off with your fingers once you've slit one side.
- Heat about 1" of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat until it's hot.
- Fry the plantain pieces on both sides for approximately 3 minutes, or until they turn golden.
- Remove the fried plantains from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Flatten the fried plantains by placing them one at a time between two pieces of waxed paper and pressing down gently with your hands.
- Avoid applying too much pressure to prevent them from sticking to the waxed paper.
- Flatten them until they're about 1/4" thick.
- Return the flattened plantains to the hot oil and fry them until both sides are golden brown.
- Drain the fried plantains on a paper towel-covered plate, making sure to change the paper towels between fryings.
- Sprinkle the fried plantains with salt before serving.
- Serve immediately.
- For an extra special touch, enjoy the fried plantains with a thin slice of queso blanco (salty white cheese) on top.
Baking Patacones in the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Start by peeling the plantains and cutting them into 3 or 4 pieces crosswise.
- To peel the plantains easily, trim about 1/4” off each end, then carefully slice the skin down one side without cutting into the fruit itself.
- Gently pry the peel off with your fingers once you’ve slit one side.
- Place the plantain pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly brush or spray the plantains with vegetable oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the plantains are tender and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Once cooled, flatten the baked plantains by placing them one at a time between two pieces of parchment paper and pressing down gently with your hands until they’re about 1/4” thick.
- Place the flattened plantains back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.
- For an extra special touch, top the baked patacones with a thin slice of queso blanco (salty white cheese) before serving.
Baking Patacones in an Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Start by peeling the plantains and cutting them into 3 or 4 pieces crosswise.
- To peel the plantains easily, trim about 1/4” off each end, then carefully slice the skin down one side without cutting into the fruit itself.
- Gently pry the peel off with your fingers once you’ve slit one side.
- Lightly coat the plantain pieces with vegetable oil.
- Place the plantain pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they’re not overcrowded.
- Cook in the preheated air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re tender and lightly golden.
- Remove from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Once cooled, flatten the baked plantains by placing them one at a time between two pieces of parchment paper and pressing down gently with your hands until they’re about 1/4” thick.
- Place the flattened plantains back in the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the air fryer, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.
- For an extra special touch, top the air-fried patacones with a thin slice of queso blanco (salty white cheese) before serving.