Description
🍌 Sweet Plantain Recipes offer naturally sweet, caramelized flavors with a quick and easy cooking method perfect for any meal.
🔥 Pan-fried maduros deliver a crispy exterior and tender inside, making them an ideal side dish or snack in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
– 2 to 3 large ripe plantains (yellow skin with black spots for ideal sweetness)
– About ½ cup oil with a high smoke point (vegetable, canola, avocado, grapeseed, or coconut oil)
– Salt to taste (approximately ¼ teaspoon kosher salt recommended)
– Optional: ½ teaspoon brown sugar or seasoning such as seasoned salt, adobo, or preferred spices for a sweet-savory balance
– Optional: cooking spray for air frying
Instructions
Select ripe plantains: Choose plantains with mostly yellow skin and black spots for maximum sweetness and softness. Avoid green or firm plantains for this recipe.
Peel and slice: Cut off the ends, make a shallow lengthwise slit, peel carefully, and slice diagonally about ⅓ to ½ inch thick to maximize surface area for caramelization.
Heat the oil: In a skillet or frying pan, pour enough high-smoke point oil to cover the bottom ¼ to ½ inch (about ½ cup). Heat over medium until shimmering hot.
Fry plantains: Arrange slices in a single layer without overcrowding. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes per side, starting on medium heat to soften, then increase to medium-high to crisp edges and develop a deep golden color. Flip gently with a slotted spatula.
Reduce heat if necessary: If browning too fast, lower heat to medium-low and continue cooking until tender and caramelized.
Drain and season: Remove cooked plantains, drain on paper towels, and while still warm, season with salt and optional brown sugar or preferred spices for a sweet-savory finish.
Serve: Enjoy immediately as a snack, side dish, or accompaniment to meals like rice, beans, or eggs.
Air fryer alternative: Spray sliced plantains lightly with cooking spray, place in air fryer basket in a single layer, and cook at 380ºF for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
Notes
🌟 Choose ripe plantains with yellow skin and black spots for optimal sweetness and softness.
🍳 Use a wide, flat nonstick pan to cook evenly and prevent sticking.
❄️ Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 slices
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Sweet Plantain, Pan-Fried Maduros, Caribbean Side, Easy Plantain Recipe