If you love tuna melts but want to switch it up a bit, try these Tuna Melt Tostones! They're the perfect finger food dinner or as an appetizer!
If you eat paleo and you haven't made tostones yet, you're missing out! They are extremely versatile and can be used as bread, dipper chips, and more.
Tuna Melt Tostones Ingredient List
- Coconut Oil
- Green Plantains
- Tuna
- Mayo
- Cheddar Cheese
- Apple
- Celery
- Onions
See the recipe card for quantities.
For the tuna itself, I have two favorite brands. But before that, did you know soy is commonly found in tuna? It is even found in tuna that is "only" packed in water! Be sure to read the ingredient label.
The first brand I like that contains no soy, is Trader Joe's brand. It's the most affordable I've come across with no soy, and the other brand I like is Safe Catch Tuna. They individually test each tuna for mercury, and only use the tuna with the lowest levels of mercury.
For the mayo, I recommend this whole30 mayo recipe. It's easy, and is much cleaner than most store bought varieties. It's yeast free too.
Swaps and Variations
- Use grapes instead of the apples.
- Use leftover taco meat in place of the tuna for a Taco Melt!
- Use enchilada meat for an Enchilada Melt.
- Swap out gouda cheese (or your favorite cheese) for the cheddar.
How to Make this Recipe
Chop the apples, celery, and onions into small pieces. Place in a medium sized bowl.
Add the tuna and mayonnaise to the same bowl and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Read this post for step by step instructions with photos to make a batch of tostones.
Now it's time to assemble the tuna melts! Pre-heat the broiler on the oven. Place the rack on the top position.
Place the tostones onto a baking sheet. Spoon the tuna salad onto each tostone. If using cheese, place it on now.
Place the baking sheet under the broiler, and broil for only about 45 seconds. You want the salad heated and the cheese melted if you're using it.
When finished, top with any remaining optional toppings, and serve!
Equipment Suggestions
So many people say they're intimidated to make tostones. My husband's abuela makes them using a traditional "totonera", a device made to flatten them before they're fried the second time. I love using mine, as it saves the parchment paper and is easier to setup and cleanup.
If you don't have one, simply use a plate and two pieces of parchment paper as the directions say. Super easy to do, and easier to clean up afterward also!
You can also use a burger smasher.
Tuna Melt Tostones
Ingredients
Tuna Salad
- 1 apple
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 small onion or half a medium sized onion
- 3 3 oz tuna
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Tostones
- 4-6 green plantains
- Coconut oil for frying
Optional toppings
- cheese
- chives
- parsley
- sesame seeds
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
Tuna Salad
- Chop the apples, celery, and onions into small pieces. Place in a medium sized bowl.
- Add the tuna and mayonnaise to the same bowl and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Tostones
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet on medium.
- Peel the plantains. Slice each plantain into 3 chunks. Cut each chunk in half lengthwise.
- Fry each chunk of plantain, about 2 -3 minutes per side, or until a light golden brown. They should NOT be cooked all the way through.
- Remove plantains from frying pan. One at a time, place each chunk between two pieces of parchment paper. Using a plate or something flat, press down and flatten the plantain.
- Place the flattened plantains back into the frying pan, and cook both sides for 2-3 minutes until they are crispy and golden.
Tuna Melt Tostones
- Pre-heat the broiler on the oven. Place the rack on the top position.
- Place the tostones onto a baking sheet. Spoon the tuna salad onto each tostone. If using cheese, place it on now.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler, and broil for only about 45 seconds. You want the salad heated and the cheese melted if you're using it.
- When finished, top with any remaining optional toppings, and serve!
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment or review below! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
Christi says
These are delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
thecleanhappylife says
Thank you, so happy you enjoyed them!
Brian Nagele says
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thecleanhappylife says
Thank you, I appreciate that!