Fried Plantain Tostones with Coconut Caramel Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crisp fried plantain discs topped with a rich coconut caramel sauce, offering a sweet and savory Puerto Rican classic. This Puerto Rican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs plantains, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place the plantain rounds on a clean kitchen towel and gently flatten each one with the bottom of a glass or a heavy skillet to about 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 tsp salt, then press the flour into the plantains.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) or until a piece of bread sizzles immediately when added.
  3. Step 3: Carefully add the flattened plantains to the hot oil in batches (do not overcrowd). Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  4. Step 4: While the tostones cook, make the coconut caramel sauce: in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp butter, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes).
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
  6. Step 6: Serve the tostones warm with the coconut caramel sauce drizzled over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fried Plantain Tostones with Coconut Caramel Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Tostones with Coconut Caramel Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep plantains from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fried Plantain Tostones with Coconut Caramel Sauce?

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 Tostones with Coconut Caramel Sauce 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.

What goes well with Fried Plantain Tostones with Coconut Caramel Sauce?

Puerto Rican vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes