Tatale (African Plantain Pancakes) – a classic Ghanaian dish that is traditionally made with overly ripe plantains, flour or cornmeal and added spices like ginger, onions, and hot pepper. So easy to make and the perfect way to use of all those overly ripe plantains!
If you are a fan of sweet fried plantains, Tatale will certainly get you hooked. I know… it got me! I have mentioned this a million times but I love plantains. No really, I adore them! They are my favorite starchy side dish, fried they are comforting to me.
So recently, I was in a desperate situation of having lots of plantains that were so ripe they needed to be used right away or go to waste. For someone like me, that’s a hard thing to do without agonizing about the situation. This all changed when I met tatale , it showed me a different side of ugly plantains.
Tatale is a classic Ghanaian dish that is traditionally made with overly ripe plantains, some sort of flour or cornmeal and added spices; ginger, onions, hot pepper. It is comparable to Nigerian Mosa (deep fried plantain balls) but more like pancakes. These Ghanaian plantain pancakes are so easy to make and is a good way to use up plantains that you never thought of using. They say the ugliest fruit make for a good dessert. I say the ugliest plantains make for great tatales.
This is my variation to this dish, one that incorporates the traditional spices ginger, cornmeal, and some more; parsley, garlic and green onions. They are best served warm with beans (fried, boiled, stewed) hot pepper sauce or as a snack. I served them up with some leftover beans – lightly fried beans black beans (beans, onions, tomatoes and salt) or you can use this one featured here.
Enjoy it!
Watch How To Make It
Tatale (Plantain Pancakes)
Ingredients
- 2 large overly ripe plantains
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 green onion chopped green and white part
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1/2 -1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce ( depending on your tolerance level
Instructions
- Mash plantains with a potato masher or spoon until puree
- In a medium bowl add cornmeal, salt, garlic, ginger,cayenne pepper to the mashed bananas.Stir in green onions and parsley until fully combined.
- Heat a skillet with about a 3 tablespoon of canola oil to medium high.
- Scoop in about 1/3-1/2 cup batter into the skillet and cook until each side is golden brown about 5 minutes each .You might have to turn the tatales several times.
Nutrition Information:
Hari says
I tried the recipe with 1 plantain and 1 burro (buffet) banana and used cornflour. It was quite good. I will make it again. Happy to find a gluten free, egg free pancake recipe. Thanks.
Imma says
You are more than welcome. And if there’s a recipe you’d love to see, please let me know. Thanks:)
Karny says
Delicious result! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us. Much respect 🙂
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Karny! 🙂
joe says
Go easy on the cornflourand leave out the green onions and parsley. Use palm oil to fry it to a dark crispy brown, almost black – and you have the authentic tats.
Ken Caldecott says
I’m over the moon with this recipe.
My current location I can’t find plantain, so I used very green bananas.
It worked, great flavour & texture.
Jane says
Would this recipe be ruined if used with bananas that are not plantains?
Imma Adamu says
The consistency might by a little different since plantains are a tad more course, however, It should taste just as good. Play around a little a few times and see what your palate loves best.
As irene says
They’re cool delicious thanks
Tolulope says
This recipe is yummy
imma africanbites says
Thank you. Glad you like it. Happy holidays!
Akoko says
I tried frying but it keep scattering in the frying pan, what do I do?
ImmaculateBites says
You have to panf-ry instead of deep frying , it helps keep it together.
Abigail says
Swell recipe. I blended oats into powder and used it instead of the corn. Thumbs up.
C P says
Shalam, i made this probably a couple of weeks ago and i enjoyed them when they were fresh. My husband didn’t really like all of the flavors mixed in with the plantain and cornmeal flavors, but overall still good . Thanks
isaac says
Many thanks for sharing. Good job keep it up!
Natashalh says
Thanks for the awesome recipe! My fiancé is a huge plantain fan (I like them, too, but he’s Cuban and probably couldn’t live without them!) and I can’t wait to try these on him.
Africanbites says
Kelsey, glad your whole family enjoyed it.
kelsey says
I made the Tatale and it was yummy. My kids loved it too. The flavor was great
Rosemary Niba says
I like the idea that plantains is very rich with iron .I am a health freck.Hahahahaha………Loi