Fried Sweet Plantains

Fried Plantain Cut smaller on white plate

Fried Sweet Plantains make the perfect side dish for African and Latin meals or a fantastic snack all by itself. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and sooo good with rice and beans, stews, or a replacement for tostadas!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine African, Caribbean, Latin American, Puerto Rican

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Total Time 12

Servings

Calories 31kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

2-3 rip plantains
vegetable oil as needed
salt to taste

Instructions

Using a sharp knife, cut both ends off the plantains. That makes it easier to grab the skin of the plantains. Slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain.
Cut plantains in diagonal pieces or medium-sized slices and set them aside. You can make them smaller by cutting the pieces in half.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Test if the oil is ready by carefully placing a slice of plantain in it. The oil will bubble on contact if it's hot enough. If it doesn't, wait another minute or two. If the oil is too hot, remove from heat and wait for about 2 minutes before proceeding.
Fry in batches until the plantain slices reach the desired color (golden brown), turning once, 2-3 minutes per side. Continue cooking, turning plantains occasionally until soft and deep golden brown, 5-7 minutes.
Carefully remove plantains with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper-towel-lined plate or tray. Season with salt or cinnamon sugar, if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

How to Peel Plantains

Bring them to room temperature - If you store them in the fridge, take them out and let them come to room temperature. Or, you could soak them in warm water for a few minutes to soften the peels.
Cut off both ends to make peeling easier.
Do you need it whole? Take a knife and slice the plantain skin deep its entire length. Not the flesh, just the peel!
You don't need it whole? Cut the plantain in half crosswise, then slice the peel with the grain. Make sure you don't cut the flesh of the plantain, just the peel!
Remove the peel - Take your knife and carefully separate the peel from the flesh. If the plantain is almost ripe, this will be easier. You may be able to separate the peel from the flesh with your fingers. If it's still green, you'll need to cut the peel off carefully.
If you prefer to use a deep-fryer, by all means, do so!
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Nutrition