Tostones, also known as twice-fried plantains, are a favorite side dish in many Latin American countries. The crunchy and savory snack is easy to make and can be enjoyed both as an appetizer and a side dish.
They are crispy on the outer side and creamy on the inner side and make a great accompaniment to any meal. But what should you serve with your tostones? Here are 20+ of our favorites.
In short - What to serve with tostones Salads, Salsas & Dips, Vegetables & Meat Dishes, Guacamole, Caramelized Onions, Plantains, Rice and beans, Seafood, Soups and stews, Sauces, Cheese, vegetarian toppings, Cuban sandwiches
What are Tostones? what do tostones taste like?
Tostones are a type of fried plantain dish that originated in Latin America. They are made by slicing the plantains into slices, lightly salting them, and then frying them in oil or butter until they become golden brown and crispy.
The flavor of tostones is slightly sweet due to the natural sugars present in the plantains.
Additionally, they have a slightly starchy taste and texture that many people enjoy. When served with other dishes such as beans and rice or salads, tostones can make for a delicious side dish.
Tostones can also be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer or snack food. Toppings such as garlic sauce, guacamole, crema Mexicana, sour cream, or cheese can be added to enhance the flavor of tostones.
23 Amazing sides to serve with tostones
1. Salads
A salad is a perfect companion for tostones because it provides a refreshing contrast to their rich flavor.
Depending on your preferences, you can go classic with a simple green salad, Caesar salad, or even fruit salad for a light and refreshing option.
You can even make a South American-inspired salad by adding black beans, corn, avocado, and cilantro.
Know More: Best Salads to Serve With Jambalaya
2. Salsas
Another option is to serve salsas with your tostones. Not only will these add more depth of flavor, but they also provide an additional texture that pairs nicely with the crispiness of the tostones. Plus, you can customize them according to your taste preference!
3. Salsa Verde
Salsa verde, also known as “green salsa,” is a variety of Mexican sauces made from tomatillos, chilies, and herbs.
The combination of the tartness from the tomatillos and the kick from the chilies makes it an excellent topping for tostones.
For added flavor and texture, try adding a bit of diced white onion or cilantro leaves to your salsa verde before serving it over your tostones. It’s sure to be a hit!
4. Vegetables & Meat Dishes
Just like me, if you want some more exciting taste, then you can pair your tostones with vegetables or meat dishes.
Roasted vegetables such as sweet potatoes or squash are great choices because they offer sweetness that complements the savory flavor of the plantains. You can also opt for grilled meats like pork chops or chicken breasts if you want something more filling.
Chicken
Tostones are often served as an accompaniment to chicken, whether it’s roasted, grilled, or fried. Try pairing your tostones with pollo al horno (oven-roasted chicken), arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), or even chicken nuggets for a fun twist.
Beef
If chicken isn’t your thing, beef is another great option for pairing with tostones.
Try serving your tostones with carne asada (grilled steak), ropa vieja (shredded beef), or even meatballs for something different.
Know More: Best and Delicious Accompaniment to Fried Potatoes
5. Guacamole
Guacamole pair well with tostones. This avocado-based dip has all the flavors that pair perfectly with fried plantains like lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder and chopped tomatoes or onions.
To make guacamole even more flavorful, try adding some crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese on top before serving it alongside your tostones.
6. Caramelized Onions
Just like me, if you want more savory than sweet, why not try caramelizing some onions? Caramelized onions go excellent with tostones.
Caramelized onions take about 30 minutes to prepare, but they are so worth it when served over top hot crispy tostones. All you need is some butter (or oil), onions, salt, and pepper. Sauté them until they reach a nice golden brown color, then sprinkle them on top of your freshly cooked tostones for an extra layer of flavor.
7. Plantains
Tostones are typically made from plantains, so it only makes sense to serve them alongside other dishes made from plantains. Try serving them with crispy saltado de plátanos (fried plantains) or sweet maduros (fried ripe plantains).
8. Rice and beans
The classic combination of rice and beans is excellent to serve with tostones. It is a staple of Latin American cuisine for a reason – it’s delicious!
Try serving your tostones with white rice and black beans, red beans and rice, or even coconut rice for a unique twist.
9. Seafood
Tostones are also commonly served with seafood, such as shrimp, fish, or lobster. Try pairing your tostones with Camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce), Pescado Frito (fried fish), or lobster tails for a special treat.
10. Soups and stews
Tostones are the perfect dipping vehicle for soups and stews. Try serving your tostones with black bean soup, chicken soup, or even chili for a hearty meal.
11. sauces
Much like dips, there are endless possibilities when it comes to sauces for tostones. Try serving your tostones with ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or even hot sauce for an extra kick.
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12. cheese
Cheese is a perfect companion for tostones. Try serving it with shredded cheese, crumbled cheese, or even sliced cheese on top for some extra flavor.
13. vegetarian toppings
For our vegetarian friends, there are plenty of delicious toppings that you can enjoy on your tostones. Try serving your toppings with avocado, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, cilantro, sour cream, or even guacamole.
14. Fruit toppings
For those who like things on the sweeter side, try topping your tostones with diced pineapple, mango, strawberries, bananas, or even raspberries.
15. Chocolate toppings
chocolatey toppings go excellent with tostones. Try topping your tostones with chocolate chips, dipped in chocolate, or even drizzled with chocolate sauce.
16. Cuban sandwiches
A Cuban sandwich is a perfect accompaniment to tostones. The combination of flavors and textures is unbeatable.
17. Ropa vieja
Ropa vieja is a traditional Cuban dish that eats well with tostones. It features tender shredded beef in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. It’s the perfect thing to spoon on top of your tostones.
18. Fried eggs
Tostones make a great base for fried eggs. Top them with some salsa or hot sauce for a delicious and filling meal.
19. Crab cakes
Crab cakes and tostones are a match made in heaven. The crispy exterior of the crab cake pairs perfectly with the crispy exterior of the tostones.
20. Spicy sausage
Tostones are often served with spicy sausage in Cuba. The sausage adds a touch of heat to the dish that is sure to please your taste buds.
21. Chicken fingers
Chicken fingers eat well with tostones. They are always a hit, especially when they’re served with dipping sauces on the side for dipping. Add some tostones to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a party!
22. Lobster tails
Lobster tails make an impressive addition to any meal, and they’re especially good when paired with tostones. The delicate flavor of lobster pairs perfectly with the crispy plantain chips.
23. Shrimp cocktail
The shrimp cocktail is a refreshing and light option that goes well with tostones. Serve it as an appetizer or side dish for a truly memorable mealtime experience.
What are the best flavors to go with Tostones?
The best flavors to pair with Tostones are garlic, lime, onion, and fresh herbs. Garlic imparts a rich, savory flavor to the crunchy dish that pairs well with the creamy texture of mashed plantains.
Lime gives an extra zing of citrus flavor to balance out the earthiness of the plantain and adds a blast of brightness.
Onion can be used either raw or cooked to give another layer of depth while rounded out by fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, or oregano.
If you want a bit more kick in your Tostones, adding chili peppers or hot sauce can do the trick.
Just a few pinches of chili pepper flakes or dashes of Tabasco will give your Tostones a delicious dose of heat that pairs perfectly with the richness of the plantain.
If you want to really bring out all the flavors, try combining both garlic and chili peppers for an extra special treat!
How do you jazz up Tostones?
Tostones are a popular Caribbean dish made from fried plantain slices. They can be suited as a side dish or as part of an entree. To make them extra special and flavorful, there are many ways to jazz up your Tostones. Here are some thoughts for you to try:
1. Add spices such as garlic powder, cumin, chili powder and paprika to the batter before frying the plantains. This will give your Tostones great flavor without overpowering them.
2. Top your finished Tostones with cheese, diced tomatoes, minced onion and avocado slices for a delicious snack or meal.
3. Make sweet Tostones by adding cinnamon and sugar to the batter before frying. Serve with a mizzle of honey or maple syrup for an added flavor boost.
4. Use plantain chips to create nachos-style Tostones by adding melted cheese, salsa and sliced jalapenos on top.
5. Add some heat to your Tostones by sprinkling cayenne pepper or hot sauce onto them before serving.
With so many options, you can choose any to jazz up your Tostones; they are sure to be a hit! Enjoy!
How should Tostones be served?
Tostones can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack.
They are best served hot and crispy and can be topped with a variety of condiments such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cheese sauces or even honey for a sweet twist. They also pair nicely with proteins like grilled meats, fish or poultry.
Alternatively, they make an excellent vegan dish when paired with vegetables and other plant-based ingredients. If you want to enjoy Tostones as part of a meal – consider serving them alongside your favorite noodles or rice dishes for added crunch.
Depending upon your choices, you can serve any of the above to enjoy every bite!
For added flavor and texture, consider trying your Tostones with a variety of dips and sauces like garlic aioli, chimichurri sauce or cilantro-lime yogurt dip. You can also top them with fresh herbs or spices such as parsley, oregano and paprika for an extra kick.
Lastly, don’t forget to add some freshly squeezed lime juice to give your Tostones that classic Cuban flavor. Enjoy!
Wrap Up
Depending on your choices and what side dishes you serve with your tostones, there’s no denying that they will make an amazing addition to any meal.
With their unique flavor and texture combination, they’re sure to become one of your family’s favorite dishes!
Whether you prefer something spicy like salsa verde or something savory like caramelized onions – there’s no wrong way to enjoy this tasty snack.
Get creative in the kitchen and see what unique flavors you come up with when pairing these delicious twice-fried plantains. Bon appetit!
FAQs
What meal does one typically eat tostones?
Tostones can be served as a side dish or as part of a main meal. They are often served with grilled meats, such as steak, chicken, pork, and fish; they can also be served with fried eggs, and beans, rice dishes like arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), and stews like sancocho.
Tostones can also be topped with crema (a Mexican sour cream) and salsa. Some people even enjoy tostones for breakfast with scrambled eggs or refried beans.
At any time of the day, tostones always make for a flavorful and satisfying meal!
What is the difference between plantains and tostones?
Plantains are a type of green, starchy fruit that is typically used in savory dishes and fried. On the other hand, tostones are twice-fried plantain slices and are usually served as a snack or side dish with a dipping sauce.
Both plantains and tostones can be cooked in different ways; however, it’s important to note that plantains must be cooked before being eaten due to their high starch content. Tostones are usually just twice-fried for a crunchier texture.
When choosing between the two, it’s all about personal preference — do you want something savory or sweet? Do you prefer something crunchy or soft?
You should also take into account how much time you have on hand—plantains take longer to prepare than tostones. Whatever you decide, both plantains and tostones are delicious and healthy options for your next meal!
Why do people dip tostones in water?
Tostones, also known as patacones or chatinos, are a popular snack throughout Latin America. They are made by frying green plantains that have been twice-pressed and flattened into flat disks.
People dip tostones in water for several reasons, including adding extra flavor and texture to the dish. The cold water helps reduce some of the oil used in the frying process and can help keep them crispy longer.
Additionally, dipping tostones in water enhances their flavor by drawing out natural sugars from the plantains that would otherwise be lost during the cooking process. Dipping tostones in water are also thought to give them an extra crunchy texture, making them even more enjoyable as a snack or side dish.
Finally, dipping tostones in cold water helps to cool them off quickly so that they are not too hot for immediate consumption. All in all, dipping tostones in water is a common practice among Latin American cultures as it enhances the flavor and texture of this popular dish.
What are tostones called in Mexico?
In Mexico, tostones are most commonly known as “totopos” or “frituras.” Totopos are fried plantains that have been cut into slices and then flattened before being fried. They can also be salted and served with a variety of sauces.
Totopos are usually eaten as an appetizer or side dish, but they can also be used as a topping for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. They are commonly served with guacamole, salsa, or crema. They can be either crunchy or soft, depending on how long they are cooked.
Totopos are an important part of Mexican cuisine and are enjoyed by people of all ages.