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Bring some island flavor to your plate with this easy Fried Plantainsrecipe. With both savory and sweet flavor options,you can enjoy the crispy,caramelized plantains of your dreams in only 10 minutes!
Plantains are one of those fruits that once you try them,you can never get enough. A Caribbean and Latin staple,they’re a wonderful side dish to fry up and enjoy with endless meals,like Cuban pork,coconut rice,black beans,tofu tacos,and more. Even if you’re new to plantains,I promise you’ll love their unique sweet and starchy flavor!
This Fried Plantains recipe is a great place to start when you want to enjoy this fruit to the fullest. With both savory and sweet flavor options,the directions are easy to follow and the pan-fried plantains are very versatile. Pair the savory plantains with your Latin-inspired dinner or enjoy the sweet plantains for dessert or brunch.
It doesn’t matter which flavor you try first—each plantain slice is soft on the inside and beautifully caramelized and slightly crispy on the outside. They’re so good that each slice will be gone before you know it!
Recipe features
- Pan-fried plantains couldn’t be easier to make! Just peel,slice,season,and fry until golden.
- The slightly salty savory fried plantains are a perfect side dish with dinner.
- Enjoy the caramelized,sticky,and sugary sweet plantains for dessert or a snack!
- Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Plantains–This tropical fruit looks just like a large banana. You can find them in almost any major grocery store these days or at your local Latin market. I recommend using plantains that are just on the verge of being ripe(yellow with some spots to dark yellow with black spots) because they have well-developed flavors and a soft yet firm texture. Avoid the very brown or black plantains,as they’ll be too soft and sweet for this recipe.
Salt and oil–The savory fried plantains are fried in a light layer of avocado oil and seasoned with a pinch of salt. You can use any neutral frying oil as a substitute for avocado oil,such as grapeseed oil,vegetable oil,or canola oil.
Sugar and cinnamon–Sweet fried plantains are an amazing alternative to the savory version and are delicious for dessert or brunch. They’re tossed in brown sugar,cinnamon,and salt,then fried in butter until they caramelize on the outside and soften on the inside.
Instructions
Step 1:Peel and slice. Peel and slice the plantains diagonally into half-inch-thick rounds.
Sweet fried plantains
Step 2a:Coat the slices.Toss the plantain slices with the brown sugar,cinnamon,and salt until coated.
Step 2a:Fry.Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the plantain slices and fry until both sides are golden and caramelized around the edges.
Step 2a:Cool.Transfer the sweet fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate to fully dry and cool. Enjoy!
Savory fried plantains
Step 2b:Fry.Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot,add the plantains and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Step 2b:Cool.Transfer the savory fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate to fully dry and cool. Sprinkle sea salt over top,then enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- Always slice the plantains on a bias(on a diagonal) to give you more surface area to work with. The wider the slices are,the crispier the edges will become!
- If you have one,fry the sweet plantains in a nonstick panto prevent the caramelized sugar from sticking and hardening.
- Leave about 1 inch of space in between each plantain slicein the pan for evenly cooked and golden brown edges.
Tip
Peeling plantains is not like peeling a banana;it’s a little more difficult! First,cut off the ends,then use a pairing knife to carefully slice the peel from end to end. Use the knife to gently lift the skin,peeling it off piece by piece. Use this step-by-step guide(with photos) from The Spruce Eats for more guidance.
Variations
- Instead of brown sugar–Toss the plantains in an equal amount of real maple syrup.
- Butter substitute–Fry the sweet plantains in coconut oil instead of butter to keep this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Add more sweet flavors–1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or rum extract would be delicious with the sweet version!
- Finish with heat or tang–As soon as the savory fried plantains are ready,add a sprinkle of Tajin,chili powder,or a squeeze of lime juice over top for more flavor.
Serving suggestions
There are so many ways to serve fried plantains! Let’s break down all of the serving ideas for both flavor options:
Let’s start with the savory fried plantains. When you can resist eating them straight out of the pan,transfer them to a small serving bowl and enjoy them as a salty and slightly starchy snack. Or,pair them with dinner! They would be a fantastic side dish to pair with tofu enchiladas,rice and beans,coconut lime chicken,jerk chicken,or panes con pollo.
The sweet fried plantainsalso make for a sweet and tasty snack all on their own or can be enjoyed as a simple dessert. Other fun ways to serve sweet plantains are to top them on a bowl of ice cream or on a stack of wafflesor pancakes(drizzled in maple syrup,of course),or next to your favorite breakfasts,like eggs,potatoes,and bacon.
Are plantains and bananas the same?
Even though they look similar,plantains and bananas are not the same. Plantains are bigger,do not taste as sweet as bananas,and have a thicker peel and a firmer texture. Their unique flavor is really something special!
Can I air fry plantains?
I haven’t tried air frying plantains but it should work well. Place the sliced plantains in an even layer in the air fryer basket,spray them with a light coating of cooking spray,and air fry at 375ºF for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. For the sweet plantains,line the air fryer basket with a small piece of parchment paper if you’re worried about them sticking.
Storage
Refrigerator:The fried plantains are best served as soon as they come out of the frying pan but if you made extra,transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating:To reheat,pop the plantain slices in your air fryer or toaster oven and heat until they’re warmed through.
More easy fruit snacks
If you made this recipe,be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Fried Plantains
Bring some island flavor to your plate with this easy Fried Plantainsrecipe. With both savory and sweet flavor options,you can enjoy the crispy,caramelized plantains of your dreams in only 10 minutes!
Servings:
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Instructions
Savory:
Peel and slice the plantains diagonally into ½” thick rounds.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then,add the plantains and cook for 3 minutes per side,or until golden brown.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!
Sweet:
Peel and slice the plantains diagonally into ½” thick rounds.
Add the plantains to a medium bowl and add the brown sugar,cinnamon,and salt. Toss together so the plantains are covered in the sugar mixture.
Add butter to a skillet over medium heat. Once melted,add the plantain slices and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the plantains and cook for another 3 minutes or until they are a golden color.
Remove from the skillet onto a paper towel to fully dry and cool off. Enjoy!
Notes
*Calories are per serving and are an estimation.
Nutrition
Serving:1g| Calories:336kcal| Carbohydrates:62g| Protein:2g| Fat:12g| Saturated Fat:7g| Polyunsaturated Fat:0.4g| Monounsaturated Fat:3g| Trans Fat:0.5g| Cholesterol:30mg| Sodium:389mg| Potassium:885mg| Fiber:4g| Sugar:35g| Vitamin A:2376IU| Vitamin C:33mg| Calcium:22mg| Iron:1mg
