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I Finally Replaced the Paper Bag and Glass Tostones Method With Real Tools
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items If you grew up smashing plantains with the bottom of a glass wrapped in a greasy paper bag, you already know the mess. Burned fingers, uneven tostones, sticky counters. This list is for anyone who cooks Caribbean or Latin food at home and wants to st...
Sections
7
Tostonera Presses That Actually Work
Green Plantains Worth Frying
Frying Oils That Keep Tostones Crispy
Dipping Sauces and Garlic Mojo
Frying Pans and Dutch Ovens for Plantains
Kitchen Tools That Make Plantain Prep Easier
Tostonera Presses That Actually Work
I went through three cheap presses before finding ones that don't wobble or crack after a month. These give you flat, even tostones every single time without the glass-and-bag circus.
Grab this if you've been using a coffee mug to flatten plantains like I was. Sturdy wooden build, no splintering, and tostones come out perfectly round. Should've bought one five years ago.
IMUSA Wood Tostonera/Plantain Press, Small
Switch to this when you want thinner, crispier tostones. Heavy enough to do the work for you. Also doubles for empanada dough if you're doing a big batch cook on Sundays.
Tortilla Press 8" (lg)
For the person who takes their tostones seriously. This thing is built like a tank and heats evenly. My abuela tried it once and refused to give it back.
Victoria, Cast Iron Tortilla Press, 8 inch, Seasoned Made
Try this if you want something that looks nice sitting on your counter. Works fast, cleans easy, and the flat surface gives you those restaurant-style tostones without any guesswork.
Wooden Tostonera Plantain Press
Perfect for smaller batches when you're just making tostones for yourself. Compact enough to toss in a drawer. I keep one at my apartment and one at my mom's house.
Fshop Bamboo Tostones Plantain Press
Use this if you hate the metallic taste some presses leave. Pre-seasoned right out of the box. My first batch came out golden and I didn't have to fuss with anything.
La Chamba Cookware
Snag this if cast iron feels too heavy for you. Lightweight, no rust, and it does the job. I've had mine for over a year and it still looks brand new.
Wooden Tostonera Plantain Press with Handle Banana Smasher
Green Plantains Worth Frying
Bad plantains make bad tostones, period. I used to just grab whatever was on the shelf and wonder why they came out soggy. The firmness and color matter more than you think.
Get these when they're truly green, not yellow-green. If there's any brown spotting, skip them for tostones and make maduros instead. Firm ones fry up crispy.
Customer reviews for Fresh Plantain, Each
Keep a bag in the freezer for nights when you're too tired to peel and fry from scratch. Pop them in the oven or air fryer. Not homemade quality, but solid for a Tuesday.
GOYA Tostones Fried Plantains, 16 oz
Toss these in when you want a quick side without the whole frying process. Good for topping soups or eating with beans when time is tight.
GOYA Sweet Plantain Strips, 12 oz (bagged)
For anyone who hates peeling green plantains (so, everyone). Pre-cut and ready to fry. Saved me about 20 minutes last Thanksgiving when I was cooking for 15 people.
El Sembrador Sweet Plantains, 11 oz
Grab a couple bags before your next party. Fry them up, hit them with garlic sauce, and watch them disappear in ten minutes. Always the first thing gone on the table.
Great Value Tostones Green Plantains, 16 oz (Frozen)
Keep these in your pantry for when you want that plantain crunch but don't feel like heating up oil. My kids go through a bag every weekend.
Chifles, Plantain Chips, Family Size, Natural, Gluten Free
Pair these with guac when friends come over. Crunchier than tortilla chips and people always ask what brand they are. Grab two bags because one is never enough.
Turbana Plantain Chips Variety Pack - Pack of 5 - 7.0 oz
Frying Oils That Keep Tostones Crispy
Olive oil made my tostones taste weird. Vegetable oil left them greasy. Finding the right frying oil was honestly half the battle of getting that perfect crunch.
Use this for deep frying tostones if you want that street-food-cart flavor. High smoke point means no burning. One gallon lasts me about three months of regular frying.
LouAna Peanut Oil, 3 Gallon
Swap to this for a neutral flavor that lets the plantain taste come through. Affordable enough that you won't feel guilty tossing the oil after one use.
Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil, Cooking Oil, 16 fl oz
Try this if you want a slightly healthier fry without sacrificing crispiness. My tostones came out lighter and less greasy. Worth the extra few bucks.
Baja Precious - Avocado Oil, 1 Gallon
Perfect if you like a hint of sweetness in your tostones. Works especially well with garlic mojo drizzled on top. My Dominican neighbor put me onto this combo.
LouAna 100% Pure Coconut Oil 30 fl oz (2 pack)
Use this for a second fry when you want extra crunch on the outside. Don't use it for the first fry though, learned that the hard way. Smoke point is too low.
IBERIA, Premium Blend Sunflower Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Grab this when you need a reliable everyday frying oil. Nothing fancy, just consistent results. I go through one of these every month during plantain season at my house.
Wesson Pure & Cholesterol Free Canola Oil, 24 fl oz
For anyone who wants coconut oil flavor without the coconut smell taking over the kitchen. My partner complained about the smell until I switched to this one.
Spectrum Naturals, Organic Refined Coconut Oil, 14 fl oz
Dipping Sauces and Garlic Mojo
Plain tostones are fine but tostones with the right sauce are a completely different experience. I spent a whole summer testing garlic mojos until I found ones that actually taste like the ones from my favorite spot.
Pour this over tostones right after frying. The garlic and citrus hit is exactly what you want. I dip, drizzle, and sometimes just drink it straight. No shame.
Goya Mojo Criollo Marinade, 24.50 Fl Oz
Slightly more garlicky than the Goya version. Use this if you're the type who adds extra garlic to everything. My whole family fights over the last few drops.
Goya Mojo Criollo Marinade, 24.50 Fl Oz
Try this on tostones when you want something herby instead of citrusy. Parsley and garlic together on a crispy plantain is one of those combos you don't forget.
Badia Sauce Chimichurri, with Olive Oil, 8 oz Bottle
Drizzle this if you like a little tang with your crunch. Works surprisingly well even though it's technically for tacos. Cross-cultural snacking at its finest.
Goya Medium Salsa Verde, 17.6 oz
Keep a bottle next to your tostonera at all times. A few shakes on a fresh tostone and you've got the perfect spicy, salty, crispy bite. My go-to since college.
Valentina Mexican Hot Sauce, 34 fl oz
Warm this up and use it as a dipping sauce. Sounds weird but trust me. The tomato and pepper base with a crispy tostone is comfort food on another level.
Goya Sofrito Tomato Cooking Base, 24.0 OZ
Blend these into a quick aioli for your tostones. Smoky, spicy, creamy. Takes about two minutes and people will think you spent an hour on it.
La Costeña Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, 7 oz
Frying Pans and Dutch Ovens for Plantains
My old nonstick skillet couldn't hold enough oil and splattered everywhere. Once I switched to the right pan, frying plantains stopped feeling like a hazardous activity.
Get this if you want tostones with an even golden color all over. Holds heat like nothing else. Mine is 8 years old and still the first thing I reach for.
Lodge, Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25 inch, Black
Use this for deep frying when you're making a big batch. Oil stays at a steady temperature and cleanup is simple. Fits about 6 plantain rounds at once.
Lodge 5 qt Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Loop
Grab this if cast iron feels too heavy for weeknight cooking. Nonstick means less oil, and the wide surface lets you fry more tostones at once without crowding.
T-fal Easy Care Nonstick Fry Pan, 12 inch, Red
For the person who wants something between nonstick and cast iron. Heats up fast and gives good browning. Just make sure you use enough oil or they'll stick.
Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10” Stainless Steel Skillet
Affordable and heavy enough for deep frying. I bought this as a backup and ended up using it more than my Lodge. Great heat distribution.
Tramontina 5.5 Qt Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Perfect for frying a small batch when you don't want to dirty a big pan. Tall sides keep the oil from splattering onto your stovetop. Weeknight tostone hero.
Farberware, Saucepan, 3qt, Stainless Steel with Lid
Try this when you're cooking for a crowd. Fits a ton of plantain slices at once and the nonstick coating actually works. Makes cleanup after a party way less painful.
Granitestone Diamond Nonstick Frying Pan 14" inch Large
Kitchen Tools That Make Plantain Prep Easier
Peeling green plantains used to wreck my hands. Between the sticky sap and the stubborn skin, I needed better tools just to get to the frying part.
Use this on green plantains and your fingers will thank you. Cuts through that tough skin without slipping. Bought a 3-pack because I kept losing them in the drawer.
Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, Green
Score the plantain skin lengthwise with this, then peel by hand. Sharp enough to cut through without going too deep. Replaced my old dull one and prep time dropped in half.
OXO International OXO Good Grips Paring Knife - Pack of 24
Scoop tostones out of hot oil without splashing yourself. Long handle keeps your hands far from the heat. Wish someone had told me about these before I burned my wrist.
Stainless Steel Spider Strainer Skimmer Ladle for Cooking
Flip plantain slices in hot oil without fear. These grip well and don't slip. I tried using a fork for years and the oil splash scars on my forearm tell that story.
Mainstays, 12 Inch Stainless Steel Locking Cooking Tongs
Squeeze lime or sour orange juice over fresh tostones right at the table. Quick, no seeds, no mess. That little acid hit makes a huge difference in flavor.
Zulay Kitchen 2-in-1 Manual Lemon Squeezer
Measure garlic powder and salt accurately so your tostones taste the same every time. They snap together so you won't lose the tiny ones. Small thing, big impact.
Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons Set
Toss your peeled plantain slices in one, mix your garlic water in another. Having multiple bowls out during prep keeps everything organized. No more using random cups and plates.
Bellemain Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set
Serving Plates and Accessories for Tostone Night
Presentation might not change the taste, but putting tostones on a real platter instead of a paper towel makes the whole meal feel like an event. Friday night tostone nights became a thing at my house because of these.
Pile your tostones on this and suddenly it's a party. Clean white background makes the golden color pop. My Instagram followers always ask about this plate.
Sweese 2-Pack Porcelain Oval Serving Platters
Put different sauces in each one and let everyone choose their own dip. Garlic mojo in one, hot sauce in another. Turns a simple snack into a whole spread.
Dip Bowls Set 6pcs 6oz
Perfect size for individual garlic sauce portions. No double dipping arguments at the table. My family actually gets along better at dinner now, believe it or not.
DOWAN 6Oz White Ceramic Ramekins Set of 8
Pair tostones with a cold beer in a proper glass. Sounds simple but the right glass makes the whole Friday night vibe click. My husband's favorite part of tostone night.
Libbey Craft Brews Nucleated Pint Beer Glasses
Lay tostones across this with little bowls of sauce and you've got yourself a tostone charcuterie board. Yes, that's a thing now. I invented it and I'm not sorry.
Totally Bamboo Long Island Shaped Cutting Board
Use these when you're serving tostones at a cookout or party. Feels like street food, easy cleanup, and nobody needs a plate. Guests grab and go.
Bio Tek 1/2 lb Kraft Paper #50 Food Tray / Boat
Toss the paper towels and use real napkins for tostone night. They handle the grease better and your table looks put together. Wash and reuse. Paid for themselves in a month.
Utopia Kitchen Cotton Blend Orange Cloth Napkins