Sweet Plantains (4 Different Ways)

Whether you prefer a traditional fried plantain, a health-conscious air-fried or baked plantain, or the swift microwaved version, there's a sweet plantain recipe to suit every palate and occasion. Here are recipes for four different methods to enjoy sweet plantains.

Jump to:

• What is a sweet plantain
• Why you'll love these plantain recipes
• Picking the best sweet plantains
• How to peel plantains
• Four ways to make sweet plantains
• What to serve with plantains
• Tip tips
• Storing leftovers
• FAQs
• Sweet Plantains (4 Different Ways)

Plantains are popular in the Caribbean, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Pacific Island nations, and some parts of Africa.

Growing up, Cuban fried plantains were a constant presence in our meals. They accompanied a wide array of dishes and were a delicious side with a blend of flavors—oily, crispy, sweet, and wonderfully savory. Still, I frequently take a healthier approach to savoring this tasty fruit. With an air-fryer, oven, or microwave, I can have a healthy and delicious side dish and the same delightful taste without the added fat.

What is a sweet plantain

Sweet plantains, "platanos maduros" in Spanish, are a delicious variety of plantains that stand out for their naturally sweet flavor.

They are riper, sweeter, softer, and far more flavorful fruit than their less ripe counterparts, green plantains, usually served as tostones. They are simply green plantains allowed to ripen until they turn yellow with spots of black.

Plantains and bananas are related, but they're not the same thing.

Plantains are part of the banana family but are usually larger, have thicker skin, and contain more starch. While bananas are primarily eaten raw and are sweet when ripe, plantains are cooked, whether green and starchy or ripe and sweet.

Why you'll love these plantain recipes

Each recipe offers reasons you'll love them.

• The frying process of classic sweet fried plantains enhances the natural sweetness, combining caramelized sugars and a touch of savory goodness.
• They can be enjoyed as a snack, a side dish, or a unique topping.
• By air frying, baking, or microwaving, you can achieve the same satisfying sweet taste as traditional frying but with significantly less oil, making it a healthier alternative with little saturated fat.
• Air-frying and microwaving plantains are quick to make.
• Baking, air frying, or microwaving plantains is a simple process that doesn't require constant monitoring like frying.
• All the methods are great for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.
• There is minimal preparation and equipment for all these recipes.
• Plantains can be paired with various toppings, from a drizzle of honey to a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Picking the best sweet plantains

There are a few things to remember so you get the tastiest ones. Here's what to look for when you're at the store looking for a ripe plantain:

1. Color is Important: Look for yellow plantains with black spots. This means they're ripe and sweet. Don't pick green ones because they're not sweet yet.

2. A Little Softness: When you press the plantain gently with your fingers, it should be fairly soft. If it's too hard, it's not ready. If it's too soft or mushy, it might be too ripe.

3. Ripen at Home: If they aren't quite ripe with enough black marks, let them sit in a warm place or a brown paper bag. They'll get sweeter and softer over a few days.

4. Use Them Soon: They don't stay ripe for long. Once they're at the right ripeness, use them within a couple of days for the best taste. If you need to slow down ripening, place the plantain in the fridge until you're ready to use.

5. Think About Your Plans: Decide when you cook them. Pick the ones that will be ready.

How to peel plantains

Peeling plantains differ slightly from peeling regular bananas due to their thicker skin.

Select ripe plantains with yellow and black skin. They should be slightly soft to the touch, indicating optimal ripeness for peeling and cooking.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you peel them with ease:

Step 1 - Trim the ends: Use a knife to cut off the stem and the tip at the opposite end.

Step 2 - Skin lengthwise: Run your knife along the length of the plantain, making a shallow cut through the skin along the ridges. You only need to cut through the skin, not the flesh.

Step 3 - Peel the Skin: Lift the edge of the skin and simply peel it off. Use your fingers to carefully grip the edge and pull the skin down the length of the plantain.

As you peel, you'll notice that the skin will naturally separate from the flesh along the ridges. Continue to pull the skin down, following the contours of the plantain.

Step 4 - With the plantain peeled, you can now slice or dice it according to your recipe's requirements.

I recommend angling your knife and cutting the plantain about ¼ to ½ inch wide for the recipes included here. An angled cut gives an appealing visual texture and a larger surface area, leading to greater browning and caramelization.

Four ways to make sweet plantains

1. Classic Fried Plantains Recipe

Ingredients

• Ripe plantains with mostly blackened skin.
• Use oil with a high smoke point - vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or canola oil
• Salt (optional)

How to fry a plantain

• Peel and cut plantains diagonally into ¼ to ½ inch thick slices.
• Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. There should be enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Once the oil is hot, carefully place the plantain slices in the pan. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them in batches if necessary. The oil should bubble around the plantains.

• Fry the pieces on each side for 2-3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip the plantains when you see a little browning around the edges, like in the picture above.

• Remove them from the pan when golden brown on both sides and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
• Sprinkle with salt, if desired. For the best taste, serve immediately.

2. Air-Fried Plantains

Ingredients

• Ripe plantains with yellow and blackened skin
• Cooking spray or oil mister
• Salt (optional)

How to air fry plantains

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Peel and cut the plantain into even slices.

• Once done, sprinkle with salt, if desired.

3. Oven-Baked Plantains

This method meets in the middle between the goodness of fried plantains with the healthier twist of air-frying. Although there's a touch more fat from using melted butter or oil, it's baked to perfection, providing a lighter alternative to the traditional pan-fried method. This gives you a delightful taste that's just a tad indulgent without going overboard. The cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg take it over the top with goodness. Tip: Use an oil spray for a little less fat.

Ingredients

• Ripe plantains with yellow and darkened skin

• Melted vegan butter or coconut oil - Substitute with cooking spray
• Cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, salt

How to make baked plantains

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Once out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. You can serve them as they are or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you feel indulgent. Trust me, the combination of the warm, sweet plantains and the ice cream is heavenly.

4. Quick Fix: Microwaved Plantains Recipe

For overly ripe, mostly black bananas, I like to microwave them for a no-oil, fast, healthy, sweet side dish.

Ingredients

• Ripe plantain with yellow to almost all-black skin

  yields the best result

How to microwave plantains

What to serve with plantains

When serving fried, air-fried, or microwaved plantains, choosing the right accompaniments can elevate your meal and create a delicious blend of flavors and textures. Here are some pairings to consider:

• Vegan picadillo

• Grilled tofu or Smoked tofu

• Rice and Black Beans

• Tacos

• Sandwiches: put into sandwiches and wraps for a unique twist.

• Vegan Greek Yogurt: Enjoy a dollop of vegan Greek yogurt for a creamy and tangy contrast to plantain's sweetness.

• Salads: Use air-fried sweet plantains as a topping for salads. They provide a satisfying sweetness to balance the greens.

• Bowl Creations: Add them to grain or Buddha bowls, roasted vegetables, plant-based proteins, and your favorite sauce for a wholesome and flavorful meal.

• Breakfast Parfaits: Layer air-fried sweet plantains with granola and your choice of yogurt for a delightful breakfast parfait.

• Oatmeal: Top your morning oatmeal with a microwaved ripe sweet plantain for added sweetness, texture, and a tropical twist.

• Ice Cream Sundaes: Use them as a topping for ice cream sundaes, coconut whipped cream, nuts, and a drizzle of caramel.

• Porridge: Incorporate microwaved sweet plantains into rice or grain-based porridge for a comforting and nourishing meal.

• Dipping Sauces: Vegan aioli, fruit salsas, or even tangy yogurt-based sauces complement sweet plantains' sweet and savory notes.

Tip tips

Choose plantains with black or very dark brown skin for the sweetest flavor and best texture.

When frying sweet plantains, using medium heat is crucial. Too high, and the outside may burn before the inside is cooked; too low may become too greasy without that delightful caramelization.

If you crowd the pan, the plantains may steam rather than fry, making a mushy texture rather than the desired crispy and caramelized exterior. Cooking them in batches, if necessary, and ensuring they're not touching each other in the pan will give you the optimal result.

Storing leftovers

Before storing leftover plantains, let them cool down to room temperature. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can lead to moisture and spoilage. If you use the leftovers within a few days, store them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to keep out air and moisture.

Freezing will affect their texture, so I don't recommend freezing them.

FAQs

Other posts you may be interested in:

• Best Cuban-Inspired Vegan Lentil Soup
• Vegan Chili Cheese Fries
• Delicious Air-Fryer Fries
• Roasted Chickpea Croutons
• Guide to Soaking Cashews

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