Whenever I'm hosting friends and family, these Toston Cups are one of the first appetizers I put on the menu. They're always a crowd favorite because they're crispy, delicious, and so much fun to customize with different toppings. Whether I fill them with ceviche, guacamole, shredded chicken, or ropa vieja, they disappear almost as quickly as I can set them on the table. Made from crispy green plantains and shaped into edible little cups, they're the perfect party snack for holidays, game days, backyard gatherings, or any celebration. Once you learn this easy trick for making toston cups, you'll find yourself using them as the base for all kinds of flavorful appetizers.

These plantain cups appetizers are well known from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico all the way to Colombia and are great for parties. Each country and region typically fills them with their favorite meat, each country having a different filling.

Ingredients

For the full list f ingredients and quantities, scroll down to the recipe card

Large green plantains
Your choice of frying oil
Salt

Instructions for these mini cups made out of tostones

Heat the frying oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat; ensuring there is enough oil to cover plantains. Let the oil reach 350 degrees.
Peel the green bananas using a pairing knife. Cut the peeled plantain into 2 inch thick pieces

Fry the plantains in the hot oil until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, remove them from the oil and place them on paper towel to drain excess oil.

Place a piece of parchment on the bottom of your lemon squeezer or tostonera, then place the plantain piece in the lemon squeezer and cover with another piece of parchment paper.

Squeeze down on the lemon squeezer until you have a small cup shape. Remove the toston cup carefully and place on paper towel lined plate.

Place the parchment paper over the plantain

Fry the cute little cups for a second time in the hot oil until golden brown then place them on a plate with napkins to drain the oil and sprinkle with a little salt.

Fill the tostone cups with your favorite filling
Serve immediately.

Equipment needed for these plantain cups

All you need for this recipe is a lemon squeezer and parchment paper. I am not a fan of kitchen gadgets, so I don't own any type of tostonera.

What to fill these toston cups with

I love filling these fried plantain cups with

Vaca Frita
Ropa Vieja
Camarones Enchilados
Picadillo
Mozzarella cheese
Pico de gallo for a vegan option

How to pick the perfect green plantain for this recipe

For this recipe you want to make sure you get thick, large bright green plantains. Depending on the length of the plantain will depend how many cups you'll be able to get, opt for a plantain that's about 12 inches long if possible. If they're too skinny or small they will not fully form into a cup when you press them. Types of plantains to avoid are:

Yellow Plantains
Plantains with dark spots
Small Plantains

Variations and substitutions for this toston recipe

Variations

Add seasoning: Toss the fried toston cups with garlic powder, adobo seasoning, smoked paprika, or Tajín for extra flavor.
Air fry them: Brush the plantains lightly with oil and air fry until crispy for a lighter version.
Turn them into appetizers: Fill the cups with shrimp ceviche, guacamole, black bean salsa, ropa vieja, picadillo, or shredded chicken for an easy party appetizer.
Make them sweet: Use ripe plantains instead of green plantains, then fill the cups with whipped cream, fresh fruit, or dulce de leche for a fun dessert twist.

Substitutions

Frying method: Instead of deep frying, you can cook the toston cups in an air fryer or bake them in the oven with a light coating of oil for a lighter alternative.
Green plantains: Green plantains are essential for traditional crispy toston cups. Ripe plantains will create a sweeter, softer version with a different texture.
Vegetable oil: Canola, peanut, avocado, or corn oil are all excellent options for frying because of their high smoke points.
Lemon juicer: If you don't have a lemon juicer, use a tortilla press, a small measuring cup, the bottom of a sturdy drinking glass, or a traditional tostonera to press the plantains into cup shapes.
Kosher salt: Sea salt, flaky salt, garlic salt, or your favorite seasoning blend can be used to finish the toston cups.

Storage for this green plantain recipe

Refrigerate leftovers: Allow the toston cups to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Store unfilled: For the best texture, store the toston cups without any fillings. Add your desired toppings just before serving to keep them crispy.
Reheat to restore crispiness: Warm the toston cups in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5–8 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as it will make them soft.
Freeze for later: Arrange the cooled toston cups in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat from frozen: There's no need to thaw. Place the frozen toston cups directly into a 375°F oven or air fryer for 8–10 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
Make-ahead tip: Fry and shape the toston cups a day or two in advance, then reheat just before serving. Once crispy again, fill them with your favorite toppings for an easy appetizer that's perfect for parties and entertaining.

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