Patacones (twice-fried green plantain)
Thick discs of green plantain fried, squashed flat and fried again until crisp outside and fluffy inside, with lime and avocado.
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.25 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 1208kcal
- 17.7gcarbs
- 3.5gof which sugars
- 126.4gfat
- 36.1gsaturates
- 3.2gprotein
- 7.4gfibre
- 3.0gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Cut the ends off the plantains and slit the skin along one ridge. Prise the skin off with your thumb or a knife, as green plantain peel sticks hard. Cut the flesh into chunks about 3 cm thick.
- 2
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat, until a chunk sizzles gently when it goes in. Fry the chunks for about 4 minutes on each side, until pale gold and soft inside. Lift out onto kitchen paper.
8 min - 3
Stir the garlic and 1 tsp of the salt into the warm water. Sit each chunk between two sheets of baking parchment and press down firmly with the base of a mug or heavy glass until about 1 cm thick.
- 4
Dip each flattened disc into the garlic water for a few seconds, then pat very dry on kitchen paper. Wet patacones will spit in the hot oil, so dry them well.
- 5
Turn the heat up a little. Fry the discs in batches for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until deep golden with crisp edges. Drain and sprinkle with a little salt.
- 6
Mash the avocados with the lime juice, coriander and the last 1/2 tsp salt. Spoon on top of the hot patacones or serve alongside. Eat straight away.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
