Fried Plantain and Quesillo Cheese Tostadas
Toasted corn tortillas topped with sweet fried plantains and melted Salvadoran quesillo cheese for a satisfying vegetarian snack. This latin american-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes turns small corn tortillas, for frying vegetable oil, salt into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 large peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick ripe plantains
- 1/2 cup for frying vegetable oil
- 1 cup shredded quesillo cheese (or mozzarella)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering (about 350°F). Fry 2 large peeled and sliced plantains in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Toast 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 30 seconds per side until warm and slightly crisp.
- Step 3: Arrange toasted tortillas on a baking sheet. Top each with 2-3 fried plantain slices and sprinkle evenly with 1 cup shredded quesillo cheese.
- Step 4: Place under a broiler set to high for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately as a sweet-savory Salvadoran-inspired snack or light meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fried Plantain and Quesillo Cheese Tostadas take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Fried Plantain and Quesillo Cheese Tostadas?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fried Plantain and Quesillo Cheese Tostadas?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fried Plantain and Quesillo Cheese Tostadas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Fried Plantain and Quesillo Cheese Tostadas vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
