Air Fryer Tostones with Creamy Mojo Dipping Sauce Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Tostones are twice-fried green plantain slices perfect for a crunchy snack or side dish. Served with a creamy, tangy Mojo dipping sauce made from Greek yogurt, fresh citrus, cilantro, and a hint of cumin, this recipe offers a healthier alternative to deep-fried Caribbean tostones using an air fryer, delivering golden-brown texture with less oil and fuss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Caribbean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Tostones
- 2 medium green plantains
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 3 cups warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, plus 1 pinch
Creamy Mojo Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Prepare the Plantains: Trim and discard the ends of the plantains. Using a knife, slice a lengthwise slit along the peel without cutting into the flesh. Cut the plantains crosswise into 1-inch thick rounds. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to peel away and discard the skin from each slice.
- First Air Fry: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange the plantain slices in a single layer without overlapping and cook at 400°F (204°C) for about 6 minutes, or until tender enough to smash yet still holding their shape.
- Flatten the Plantains: Transfer the cooked plantains to a clean surface. Use the bottom of a cup or similar flat object to gently press and flatten each slice into a disk about half-inch thick.
- Soak and Dry: In a large bowl, combine warm water, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, stirring until salt dissolves. Soak the flattened tostones in this mixture for 5 minutes to enhance flavor and texture. After soaking, thoroughly pat dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Spray and Second Air Fry: Lightly spray both sides of the dried tostones with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook again at 400°F (204°C) for about 7 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remove and season with additional kosher salt to taste.
- Make the Mojo Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the chopped cilantro, Greek yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, ground cumin, remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of garlic powder until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Plate the crispy tostones alongside the creamy Mojo dipping sauce for dipping and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use green, unripe plantains for the best tostones texture and flavor.
- Patting the tostones dry after soaking is essential to achieving a crispy finish.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can fry the tostones in a skillet with oil but the texture and fat content will differ.
- Adjust the citrus in the Mojo sauce for more tang or sweetness according to preference.
- These tostones are best served fresh for optimal crunch; leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer briefly.
Keywords: tostones, air fryer tostones, plantain recipe, mojo sauce, crispy snack, Caribbean appetizer, healthy tostones
