Fried Plantains – sweet ripe plantains, sliced and fried to perfection. It’s somewhat crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Sooo good that you can eat it as a side dish to rice & beans, stews or on its own! Amazingly delicious!

This recipe here, if you’d even call it recipe, is so SIMPLE that you can make it even with your eyes closed. It doesn’t require you any added ingredients or some complicated cooking method. Yet even how pretty straightforward it is, these fried plantains always hit the spot!

I grow up enjoying anything plantains. From plantain pancakes, plantain bread/cake, to plantain chips – they always have a special place in my taste buds. Plantains are widely consumed from West to East Africa and as well as the Central and South America and to the Caribbean. No wonder there are tons of ways to prepare and serve them on the table!

But the simplest one is this fried plantain! 

What is a plantain?

We are not going to talk about chromosomes and hybrid to identify what plantain is. Plantains are also referred to as cooking bananas as they are generally used in cooking.

They can be eaten ripe or unripe and generally starchy. In West Africa (and some parts of Africa), plantains are often cooked as in ingredient to a main course or as a side. But ripe plantains can also be eaten raw since their starches are converted to sugars. Unlike bananas, plantains are bigger and longer with bright green color (which turns black as they ripen) and thicker skin.

Plantain vs. Banana

But plantains are part of the banana family. No doubt about that.

However, it contains more starch and less sugar and are used as a vegetable in many savory recipes just like how potatoes are used. Thus, they are often not consumed when raw.

Bananas on the other hand are traditionally eaten raw because  they’re sweet. They have thinner skin and turns yellow when ripe. Fresh plantains though have more vitamin C, A and potassium than bananas. Are plantains healthy? Yes, they are. Here are some good comparison table for plantain vs. banana.

How to Cook Plantains?

Plantains can be grilled, mashed, baked or fried and can be used as replacement for potatoes. But to show you how versatile a plantain is, let me do a run down of some of my favorite plantain recipes. (**you’re welcome** 😉 )

• Stuffed Baked Plantains – This is my top plantain post (check also the VIDEO). These are delicious roasted plantains filled with well-seasoned ground meat, tomatoes, onions, bell pepper and spices topped with cheese.

• Plantain Chips – Crispy, crunchy and addictive fried/baked plantain chips paired with sweet tango mango avocado salsa for a wonderful late night snack time or as appetizers!

• Kelewele or Aloco – A mouth-watering African spicy fried plantain recipe seasoned with cayenne peppper, ginger, lemon, nutmeg, garlic and bouillon cubes.  Soft, spicy, and sweet, snack that pairs well with crunchy peanuts or with any protein.

• Plantain Frittata – Baked Plantain Frittata aka  plantain and eggs- A healthier  and delicious take on fried plantains and eggs .

Want to check MORE scrumptious ways to enjoy plantains? Check it out HERE.

Now don’t get overwhelmed. As they always say, simplicity is the best and this easy fried plantains here will always be the go-to way to enjoy plantains whether as a side to your favorite savory dish or as a snacks. 

Enjoy!

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Fried Plantains

Fried Plantains – sweet ripe plantains, sliced and fried to perfection. It’s somewhat crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Sooo good that you can eat it as a side dish to rice & beans, stews or on its own! Amazingly delicious!

Course: Sides, Snacks

Cuisine: African, Caribbean

Servings: 3 - 4 people

Calories: 145 kcal

Author: Immaculate Bites

Ingredients

• 2-3 plantains
• vegetable oil for deep-frying
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Using a sharp knife cut both ends off the plantain. This will make it easy to grab the skin of the plantains. Slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain.

2. Cut plantains in diagonal pieces or medium sized slices and set aside.

3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Test if oil is ready by carefully trying out a slice of plantain. Oil should bubble before proceeding with the rest. If not wait another minute or two. If oil is too hot turn off gas and wait for about 2 minutes before proceeding.

4. Fry in batches, turning once, until plantains has reached desired color (brown) about 2 –3 minutes per side.

5. Then continue cooking, turning plantains occasionally , until soft and deep golden brown, 5–7 minutes.

   
   

6. Carefully remove plantains with slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or tray . 

7.  Season with salt and/or cinnamon sugar, if desired. Serve hot.

Healthy Fried Plantains

1. Coat a large frying pan with cooking oil spray. Spray the tops of the plantains with a generous layer of oil spray and sprinkle with salt, freshly ground pepper

2. Let the plantains "fry" on medium heat, shaking the frying pan to redistribute them every few minutes

3. As the plantains brown, continue to add more cooking oil spray, salt and pepper (if needed) until they have reached the desired color and texture.

How to Fry Plantains

Using a sharp knife cut both ends off the plantain. This will make it easy to grab the skin of the plantains. Slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain.

Cut plantains in diagonal pieces

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or medium sized slices and set aside

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Test if oil is ready by carefully trying out a slice of plantain. Oil should bubble before proceeding with the rest. If not wait another minute or two. If oil is too hot turn off gas and wait for about 2 minutes before proceeding.

Fry in batches, turning once, until plantains has reached desired color (brown) about 2 –3 minutes per side.  Then continue cooking, turning plantains occasionally , until soft and deep golden brown, 5–7 minutes.

Carefully remove plantains with slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or tray .  Season with salt and/or cinnamon sugar, if desired. Serve hot.