Easy Caribbean Fried Sweet Plantains
Crispy on the edges, soft and sweet in the middle. These Caribbean fried sweet plantains come together fast and make the perfect snack, side, or little treat any time of day.
Ingredients for Fried Sweet Plantain Snacks
For the Plantains: Ripe sweet plantains, vegetable oil for frying, and a light sprinkle of salt.
Optional Add-Ons: Chili flakes or pepper for heat, cinnamon for sweetness, fresh fruits for serving, or coconut yogurt as a dip.
How to Make Fried Sweet Plantain Snacks
First, peel the plantains and slice them thick. Use a heart-shaped cutter to make cute little hearts.
Heat vegetable oil over medium heat and fry the slices until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Then, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up extra oil, and sprinkle with salt.
Leftover plantains? Use them in Beef Pasteles En Hoja or Mangu (Plantain Mash).
Easy Variations for Plantain Snacks
- Loaded Plantains: Top with shredded cheese or beans for a savory snack.
- Banana Swap: Fry bananas instead for a sweeter, less starchy snack.
- Sweet Dessert Style: Toss with cinnamon sugar right after frying.
Keesha’s Tips & Tricks
- Ripe is Right: For the sweetest, softest bite, I always wait until the plantains have black spots. That’s when you know they’re ready to fry up sweet and caramelized.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: I fry in batches so each slice has room to crisp. When they’re packed too close, they steam instead.
How to Store Sweet Plantain Snacks
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in a skillet or air fryer to re-crisp. For longer storage, freeze sliced plantains on parchment paper, then transfer to a container for up to 1 month and fry from frozen. For the best texture, enjoy it fresh.
What to Serve with Sweet Plantain Snacks
- With Rice & Beans: Classic Caribbean pairing.
- With Stews: Perfect with chicken or beef stews.
FAQs about Fried Sweet Plantain Snacks
More Delicious Recipes
Make sure to check out the many other easy recipes like my Beetroot and strawberries smoothie, Cantaloupe melon juice, or Breakfast cheese arepas. So you can create the perfect romantic day for your loved one.
Valentine’s Day Fried Sweet Plantain Snacks
Ingredients
- 2 ripe large plantains
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Ripe avocado, for serving
- Mango, for serving
Instructions
Preparing the bananas
- To start, slice the ends off of very ripe plantain.
- Then, make a long slice through the plantain peel on two opposing sides. Don't slice through the flesh underneath. You only want to cut the peel.
- Remove the peels from the plantains and discard them.
- Place a plantain on a chopping board. Then, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart-shaped chunks. Any offcut pieces can be frozen for later use (like in a smoothie).
- Next, take each heart-shaped chunk and slice it into 2 to 3 pieces, keeping the heart shape intact. Each piece can be roughly 1/4 to 1/3-inch (6-8mm) thick.
- Repeat this with all of the cut-out heart chunks.
Fry the plantain pieces
- Next, brush the heart-shaped plantain pieces with some olive oil.
- Add a little bit more into a non-stick pot or pan. Preheat your pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the plantain pieces. Leave them to fry until both sides are golden brown and crisp. This will take between 3-6 minutes per side, depending on the heat.
- Remove the fried plantains from the heat and drain them on pieces of paper towel.
- Season them with a little bit of salt and serve them immediately with fresh avocado and mango.
