Homemade Plantain Flour – Gluten Free, Grain Free, and Paleo. 100% healthier flour – No preservatives or allergens involved.
I didn’t just set out to make plantain flour, it just so happened that a couple of the recipes I wanted to make required plantain flour. So I decided to make a post out of it.
Plantain flour can be made easily at home and there are very negligible differences between the store-bought brand and homemade variety. It contains fewer calories than flour and is high in fiber which makes you feel fuller than regular flour.
By the way, do you know this is the time to make it, without cranking up your oven or using a high priced dehydrator? (Can’t afford another gadget). The sunshine does all the work for you.
Ain’t that nice!
This is what you need fresh green plantains- No, ripe plantains will not make the cut.
Peel them and slice very thinly, use a Mandolin if possible –with a mandolin it only takes me 15 minutes or less to slice 10 plantains. Easy eh! 2-3 plantains makes about a cup of flour.
Then you place plantains in a single layer on a cookie sheet, or any object with flat surface that you can leave outside. Layering is my least favorite part, so I bribed my sous chef ( my 6 year old son) extra computer time to spread it out. He loves doing it, plus he gets extra computer time. Win win for the both of us.
Leave it outside for about 3-5 days, for it to really get dry.
When plantains have reached desired dryness, blend in a food processor or coffee grinder. I like the coffee grinder, it does a better job. However, with a coffee grinder I can only do a little at a time. You can’t win here.
Store in an airtight container and start cooking.
Enjoy!!!
Watch How To Make It
Plantain Flour
Ingredients
- Green plantains
Instructions
- Slice the plantains thinly with the help of slicer/ mandolin for consistent results. Or you may use a sharp knife and still with good results.
- Spread out sliced plantains in a single layer on large baking pan, sheet or flat surface
- Let it dry for about 3-5 days, be sure to turn it on the other side after about a day to lessen the drying time.
- Remove and place in food processor or coffee blender- blend in batches until all the dried plantains are finished. If the flour is not fine enough – you may use a sieve to filter out the grainy part. If you use a coffee grinder you do not have to go through this process
Joan lewis says
Instead of slicing can I put the cut plantains with minimal water into a blender?
ImmaculateBites says
It won’t work if you want to dry it. However, if you’re going to use it right away, reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by at least the amount of water added the plantains. You may have to play around with the other ingredients to get the right texture.
Gabie Frank says
Hi, I literally just stumble on your post. I’d love to try some of your recipes. I wanted to try something new with different ingredients, but I am yet to see anyone using plantain flour for something other than Amala, please let me know of any fun ideas like pancakes or something.
Imma Adamu says
Hi Gabbie!
You can surely try this: https://www.africanbites.com/?s=pancake
Happy cooking!
Adenike Odunuga says
Thanks for the article. I want to produce plantain flour commercially. However, uninterrupted electricity supply is not guaranteed in my country. How do I dry in the sun for three to five days? What if the sun is not consistent?
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry I don’t do this for commercial purposes. I would do be able to offer you any suggestions , asides for drying it out when the sky is clear.
CHERYL-ANNE says
I’ve got a dehydrator. What temperature would you suggest that I set it at to dehydrate green bananas?
ImmaculateBites says
About 130- 135 Degrees F. For about 7-8 hours , or until plantains is dried.
ImmaculateBites says
About 130- 135 Degrees F. For about 7-8 hours , or until plantains is dried.
Sasa Igori says
Thanks..
Ngwa Declan says
Hello I am a farmer doing plantain agriculture. I produce plantain in large quantities. I’ll love to partner with anyone or enterprise to produce plantain flour, animal feed etc
edu Adams says
Hello Ngwa .
I will like to partner with you, if our location permit.
Please where is your country of resilence?
Best regards
Edu Adams
Abimbola pelumj says
Hello,I’ll like to partner with you please,can u pls drop your phone number
Chichi says
Can I have your number
Sasa Igori says
I am interested
Anthony Nnorom says
Would like to Partner with you
Tolulope Esther says
I hope it’s not too late, I will like to partner with you……
I’m into plantain flour processing and sales
Ojo Samuel says
Tolu
Good morning, kindly give me your phone and email. Thank you
Uk says
Hello, which country do you reside? I would love to partner with you
Juliet says
I am interested. How can I contact you?
miniques says
I will like to partner with you
Mildred Williams says
How do I make fufu out of the plantain flour?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Mildred. My apolohies, but I haven’t tried using this flour for fufu.
Ngwa Elvis says
You prepare it like you do for corn flour , u know flour get to make bubbles in hot water,so it’s advisable to Mix a reasonable quantity with cold water before using hot water
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for your input .
Didina Gnagnide Angorinie says
I just used storebought plantain flour to make plain pancakes, I think it holds much promises for my next experiments: cookies, muffins and creams. And now I know there’s a way to make it at home, that’s good!
(ps: I think of a banana peanut pancake made with plantain flour and topped with caramel syrup. I’M ON A DIET )
ImmaculateBites says
Hahaha!!! You sure are having fun for someone who is on a diet.
Didina Gnagnide Angorinie says
Well it’s my family who’s eating what I make lol…It’s chicken breast and green beans time for me. But thinkering in the kitchen is so much fun to me, I can’t give it up.
(I’m on a diet because of thyroid issues and man, it sucks, especially as a wannabe chef)
Odie Vernon says
Are There Any (1)Preservatives (2) Flavor In Plantain Flour?
ImmaculateBites says
It depends on the brand. My guest is that most of them do have preservatives in it. With homemade you control what goes into it.
Joy says
Can I make this at home and sell.
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can. All the best!
tobi says
Can it be used to bake?
ImmaculateBites says
It depends on the recipe. But has to be together with other gluten flours.
Dunori says
Can it be used the same way as gari – just add water?
ImmaculateBites says
No, you have to cook this .
African Kaya-Wangeci says
5 days!!! OMG that’s such a long time. wondering if it would work if I put them in the oven on very low heat. I must try this though.
ImmaculateBites says
That’s how some people make them. It will be just fine .
Gladys Cineas says
What is the use of plantain flour.
ImmaculateBites says
Plantain flour is used to make a variety of dishes- both savory and sweet.
Ojo Samuel says
Please what are other dishes we can make from plantain flour?
ImmaculateBites says
You can make fufu with it, pancakes etc
grace says
Plaintain flower is my favourite food, I will try your tips at home
Charlene @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
You know I’m all about using gluten free flour, so this one is right up my street. I’m adding this to Pinterest too.
ImmaculateBites says
Charlene, thanks for pinning!