Grilled Plantain Tostones with Garlic Cilantro Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Golden fried plantains with a tangy garlic cilantro sauce make a perfect Caribbean-inspired appetizer or side dish. This Caribbean-inspired recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, turns green plantains, vegetable oil, garlic cloves 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 220 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel 2 medium green plantains by cutting off the ends and scoring the skin lengthwise; remove the peel carefully. Slice each plantain into 1-inch thick rounds.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry the plantain slices in batches for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden; remove and drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: Using the bottom of a flat glass or a tostonera, flatten each fried plantain slice to about half its original thickness.
  4. Step 4: Return the flattened plantains to the hot oil and fry again for 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on fresh paper towels and season immediately with 1 tsp salt.
  5. Step 5: To prepare the garlic cilantro sauce, combine 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  6. Step 6: Serve the warm tostones with the garlic cilantro sauce on the side for dipping.

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