Fried Ripe Plantains, the Ultimate Caribbean Snack
You’ve likely seen a plantain before; although, you might not have recognized it as one — they look similar to bananas and are a relative. They’re larger than bananas in size and have thicker skin. But this delicious, starchy fruit deserves to be in your kitchen on its own merits.
Plantains are less sweet yet starchier than bananas. Unlike their cousins, they’re often cooked rather than eaten raw. They’re full of vitamins, especially vitamins A and C. They’re also loaded with potassium and are high in fiber, keeping your digestion system running, ahem, smoothly.
If you’re ready to add plantains to your menu but aren’t sure how, you’re in luck. My fried plantains recipe is super simple and so tasty. It makes an excellent side or a quick snack.
What Are Fried Plantains?
Plantains are commonly enjoyed in the Caribbean islands and Latin America. They’re enjoyed at almost any time — as a snack, alongside your meal or for dessert. While this fried plantains recipe is already naturally sweet, if you’re craving an even sweeter treat, you can adapt this recipe to include a bit of coconut sugar, which will create a caramelization on the outside of the plantain slices.
Once you eat caramelized or fried plantains, you won’t want to stop. The best part is you can enjoy this tropical dish in the comfort of your own home … but you’ll feel like you’re on a beach in Jamaica.
Another way to enjoy plantains is using green plantains and slicing it thin and then baking in the oven for plantain chips.
How to Make Fried Plantains
Here’s how to fry plantains. First, make sure you wait until the plantains are ripe, when the peels are mottled yellow and black.
Start by heating a tablespoon of coconut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. While it warms up, diagonally slice the plantains crosswise about a half-inch thick.
Pay attention here: if the slices are too thin, the plantains will burn quickly, but if they’re too thick, the “face” will brown while the middle stays raw. At a half-inch thick, they’ll be just right (and Goldilocks-approved).
Add the plantains to the pan and sprinkle with cinnamon. Let the slices cook for 5–6 minutes before flipping and sprinkling the rest of the cinnamon on top. Cook for another 5–6 minutes or until the fried plantains are cooked through and browned. That’s all there is to it!
Fried plantains are yummy served hot but still tasty cold — and they reheat beautifully.
Try serving them alongside a spicy chicken and rice dish or as a snacking alternative to popcorn or crackers and hummus. Plantain recipes are versatile, unique and delicious. You won’t mistake them for a banana again.
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Fried Plantains Recipe
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Plantains are less sweet yet starchier and delicious in recipes. Waiting until the fruit is ripe, this fried plantains recipe is super simple to make. It makes an excellent side or a quick snack.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe plantains (with peels mottled yellow and black)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Peel and diagonally slice the plantains into half-inch slices.
- Add the coconut oil to the heated pan, allowing it to melt.
- Add the plantains to the pan. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cinnamon evenly over the plantains. Allow plantains to cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Flip, sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon and let cook for another 5–6 minutes.
- Prep Time: 3 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Sides Dishes, Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (188g)
- Calories: 283
- Sugar: 26.9g
- Sodium: 7mg
- Fat: 7.5g
- Saturated Fat: 6.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59.2g
- Fiber: 5.5g
- Protein: 2.4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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