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Unripe green plantains are used to make the traditional tostones, a wonderful savory plantain snack. (Maduros, however, is made with ripe, delicious plantains.) While tostones are normally twice-fried, these air-fried versions have a fraction of the fat and are just as crispy. Plus, there's no need to fear a scalding pot of hot oil! You'll first cook them once, smash them to make them flat, give them a little soak in seasoned water, and then cook them again to make the outside crisp. The end result is a tasty, crunchy snack that is ideal for dipping in the smooth mojo sauce.
The original Mojo dipping sauce from Cuba, which is mixed with herbs, garlic, and citrus, served as our source of inspiration. You'll want to make it with or without the tostones because it's so tasty and simple to create. When you need a quick dip for vegetables or chips, keep it in your back pocket. By serving this appetizer together with Cuban sandwiches and Cuba Libres, you may turn it into a Cuban feast.
Ingredients
- 2 medium green plantains
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 3 c. warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more
- 1/2 tsp. plus 1 pinch of garlic powder
- 1/4 c. finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 c. plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp. fresh orange juice
- 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
Steps
Cut off and throw away the ends of the plantains. Slice a slit along the length of the plantain skin with a knife, avoiding the flesh. Crosswise, cut the plantain into 1" rounds. Each slice's peel should be removed using your fingers or the back of a spoon.
Apply cooking spray sparingly to a basket for an air fryer. Plantains should be arranged in a single layer in a basket in batches. Cook at 400° for about 6 minutes, or until the food is just soft enough to crush and keep its shape.
Place the bananas on a work surface. Using a cup's bottom, flatten the disk.
In the meantime, combine water with 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Tostones should be soaked in the water mixture for five minutes, then dried with paper towels. Cooking spray should be applied to both sides of the dried tostones.
Tostones should be arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches. Cook for 7 minutes at 400 degrees until golden and crisp; add salt.
Mix the yogurt, oil, lime juice, orange juice, cumin, cilantro, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and a dash of garlic powder in a small bowl. Serve the sauce alongside the tostones.