Oil-Free Air Fryer Plantains (Tostones) with Lemon Garlic Sauce

As I mentioned in some of my previous blog posts, my family and I moved from a clean eating lifestyle earlier this year into a more whole food plant-based lifestyle. All I can say is it has been one of the best decisions we have made for our family and health. 

And even better it has brought about some great dishes in our home like these Oil-Free Air Fryer Plantains or as my husband calls them Air Fryer Tostones. 

My husband grew up in Puerto Rico eating Tostones almost every day and decided it was time our boys experienced the goodness of this amazing food except he always enjoyed them with oils, but this time he was going to change it up to be more of a whole food plant-based dish and make it oil-free.

Many people confuse bananas and plantains in the grocery store.  Unlike bananas, plantains are less sweet and starchier and are an important staple for people in tropical countries like my husband’s hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Plantains unlike bananas are almost always cooked before eating as they are not the most appetizing eaten raw. 

Cooked plantains are a rich source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6 and magnesium and potassium. 

These complex carbohydrates offer .22 grams of fat, 58 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber (Cafasso, 2019) making them a great whole food plant-based dish your whole family can enjoy. 

Plantains are a good source of antioxidants as they offer 663 grams of potassium making them a great food for your heart. 

Plantains like potatoes are a versatile food and can be served alone or incorporated into a vegan stew.  And because this recipe is made using no oils and air fried is an healthy alternative to fried plantains. 

Plantains are not only an excellent source of potassium; they are also gluten-free. 

Plantains grow in tropical countries around the world from Central America to the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, but you can also find them in your local grocery store. 

The first step to making this plant-based dish is to cut the ends off of the plantains and then remove the peel and slice the plantain into round pieces (about 1-1 ½ inches thick).   

The next step is to place the sliced plantain on your air fryers cooking sheet and set your air fryer to 400 degrees and air fry them for 8 minutes.

While those are cooking take a large bowl and fill it with water and add in about a tsp of garlic powder, one tsp of onion powder, salt and pepper to taste. Stir the ingredients together and set aside.

Once the plantains are done air frying, safely remove them from the air fryer and place them on your bamboo tostanara or if you do not have a tostanara, you can use a tortilla press or something strong enough that will flatten the plantains. Press down and flatten the plantains.

The next step is to take the flattened plantains and marinade them in the water mixture for a few seconds.  Next, place the marinaded plantains back on the baking sheet and place them in the air fyer and air fry them again at 400 degrees for another 8 minutes. 

Once they are done air frying for the second time, safely remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate and serve them alongside the lemon garlic dipping sauce.

All I can say is they were absolutely delicious and my boys and I loved them.

Happy Air Frying!

What is your favorite dish from your childhood that you knew you could not wait to share with your kids?

Reference:

Cafasso, J. (2019, October 31). Plantains: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits. Retrieved from Healthline.com website: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/plantain-nutrition-benefits