Last Updated on November 2, 2024 by Arif Chowdhury
Listen up, food lovers! Remember those times when you’re craving something ridiculously delicious but your conscience keeps whispering “stick to the diet”?
Well, throw those worries out the window because I’m about to rock your world with these insanely good Shrimp Tostone Sliders that won’t wreck your weight loss journey.
Fun fact: Studies show that plantains contain about 50% less calories than traditional burger buns, making them a fantastic bread alternative for weight-conscious foodies.
Why You’ll Fall Head Over Heels for These Sliders
Look, I get it. The word “healthy” often translates to “boring” in the food universe. But these bad boys?
They’re a whole different story. Imagine perfectly crispy plantain discs doing the heavy lifting instead of those carb-loaded buns, topped with juicy shrimp that’s been kissed by Caribbean spices, and crowned with creamy avocado that’ll make your taste buds do the salsa.
According to recent nutritional studies, shrimp is packed with protein while containing only 84 calories per 3-ounce serving, making it a dieter’s best friend.
The Magic Behind Tostones
Here’s something wild – tostones aren’t just regular fried plantains. They’re twice-fried pieces of pure joy that originated in the Caribbean.
The trick is squashing them between fries to get that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture that’ll make you forget about regular burger buns forever.
Let’s Get Cooking: The Recipe That’ll Change Your Slider Game
Ingredients (Makes 6 Sliders)
For the Tostones:
- 2 green plantains
- Coconut oil for frying (healthier than regular oil!)
- Pink Himalayan salt to taste
For the Shrimp:
- 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne (or more if you’re feeling brave)
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Toppings:
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Dairy-free cilantro lime sauce (recipe below)
The Sauce That’ll Make You Famous
- ½ cup coconut yogurt
- Handful of cilantro
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 small garlic clove
- Salt and pepper to taste
Research indicates that incorporating healthy fats from avocados and coconut oil can actually support weight loss by promoting satiety and reducing overall calorie intake.
The How-To Magic
- Start with the Tostones:
- Peel and slice plantains into 1-inch thick rounds
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat
- Fry plantain rounds for 2-3 minutes each side until golden
- Remove and smash each round with a tostonera or the bottom of a glass
- Fry again until crispy (about 1-2 minutes per side)
- Sprinkle with pink salt while hot
- For That Killer Shrimp:
- Mix all seasonings with olive oil in a bowl
- Toss shrimp in the mixture until well-coated
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat
- Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred
- Remove from heat and slice each shrimp in half lengthwise
- The Assembly (This is Where the Magic Happens):
- Place a tostone as your base
- Add a slice of avocado
- Top with 2 shrimp halves
- Drizzle with that heavenly cilantro lime sauce
- Garnish with red onion slices and fresh cilantro
- Give it a final squeeze of lime
Tips from a Reformed Slider Addict
- Pick plantains that are GREEN – yellow ones won’t give you that crispy texture we’re after
- Don’t skip the double-frying process – it’s what gives tostones their signature crunch
- Make extra sauce – trust me, you’ll want to put this stuff on everything
Real Talk: The Health Benefits
These sliders aren’t just a pretty face. They’re packed with protein from the shrimp, healthy fats from the avocado, and resistant starch from the plantains.
Plus, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free (if you stick to the coconut yogurt sauce), and perfect for anyone watching their carb intake.
The Last Bite
You know those recipes that make you feel like you’ve discovered a secret superpower? This is one of them. These sliders are proof that “healthy” and “indulgent” aren’t mutually exclusive.
So go ahead, invite some friends over, and blow their minds with these Caribbean-inspired flavor bombs.
Just don’t blame me when they start showing up unannounced hoping for more!