Crispy Fried Plantains Recipe: Sweet and Savory Guide

There’s nothing better than a plate of warm, sweet fried plantains. Popular across West Africa and the Caribbean, fried plantains appear as snacks, starters, or side dishes alongside jollof rice, chicken, fried dough and stews. In some places they’re even the main course to mop up sauces and gravies.

In Sierra Leone, street vendors sell fried plantains as part of the famous “fry fry” sandwich—layers of plantain, fish, eggs and more, finished with a spicy onion gravy. Leftover plantains also make excellent plantain pancakes.

You Will Love This Recipe Because

• It uses only a few ingredients.
• It’s quick and easy to prepare.
• It’s comforting and versatile.
• Kids and picky eaters usually love it.

Fried Plantains Tools

Ready to cook plantains? Gather your ingredients and follow the steps below.

How To Fry Plantains

For sweet fried plantains, choose firm yellow plantains. They’re sweet without becoming overly syrupy.

1. Peel and slice the plantains, then sprinkle a little salt on both sides.
2. Pour oil into a frying pan so it comes up about a third of the height of a plantain slice and preheat it until a drop of plantain sizzles on contact.
3. Add the plantain slices and fry the first side until golden brown.
4. Turn the slices and fry the second side. The second side cooks faster, so watch closely and reduce heat if needed.
5. Remove the plantains with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
6. Repeat with remaining slices and serve warm.

Air Fryer Method

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Peel and slice the plantains, then place them in a bowl.
3. Toss gently with a little oil and a pinch of salt to coat evenly.
4. Place plantain slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed).
5. Cook for about 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
6. Serve warm.

Recipe Tips

Small adjustments make a big difference:

• Use whatever cooking oil you have: rapeseed, sunflower, olive oil or even butter will work.
• Keep them warm: If you’re making several batches, hold cooked plantains in a warm oven so they stay crisp and hot.
• Watch the second side: It will brown faster than the first, so lower the heat if needed.

Seasoning Ideas

Simple salt is delicious, but you can experiment with sweet or spicy options:

• Stone house seasoning or other savory blends
• Ground cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg
• Cayenne or chili powder for heat
• Cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate for dessert-style plantains

FAQ

How to Peel and Slice Plantains

Don’t peel plantains like a banana—especially green ones. The peel is thicker and harder to remove that way.

• Trim both ends with a sharp knife.
• Make a shallow lengthwise slit through the skin without cutting into the flesh.
• Peel back the skin in sections and discard it.
• Slice the peeled plantain into rounds or on the bias, depending on your preference.

Plantain Types and Ripeness

Plantains are versatile and can be used at different stages of ripeness:

Green Plantains (Savory)

Unripe and starchy, often fried twice for a crisp texture. They’re savory rather than sweet.

Yellow Plantains (Sweet)

Firm and slightly sweet when yellow—these make perfect sweet fried plantains without being overly sugary.

Black Plantains (Very Sweet)

When the peel turns black the fruit is very ripe and sweet. These yield intensely sweet fried plantains and are great for dessert-style preparations.

Plantain vs Banana

Plantains are starchier and have thicker skins than bananas. They’re usually cooked before eating. Bananas are sweeter and softer and are commonly eaten raw when ripe, though they can be cooked too.

More Plantain Recipes

If you enjoy fried plantains, try other plantain dishes like plantain pancakes, air fryer plantains, plantain pumpkin curry, or plantain waffles.

Weight Watchers Points

• One serving of fried plantains: approximately 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints.
• One serving of air-fried plantains: approximately 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints.

Thank you for reading this fried plantains recipe. I hope you try it and enjoy it—there are so many ways to cook and serve plantains, so experiment with ripeness and seasonings to find your favorite version.

How To Make Fried Plantains

Sweet fried plantains make a delicious breakfast, starter or side dish.

Fried Plantains

Sweet fried plantains make a delicious breakfast, starter or side dish.

Prep Time
5 mins

Cook Time
10 mins

Total Time
10 mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 295 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 plantains
• Salt, to taste
• 6 tbsp oil (or more, depending on the size of your pan)

Instructions

1. Peel the plantains and cut into slices.
2. Sprinkle some salt on both sides.
3. Put enough oil in the frying pan so it comes up about a third of the height of each plantain slice.
4. Heat the oil until a piece of plantain sizzles when added.
5. Place the plantain slices in the oil and fry on one side until golden, then turn and fry the other side.
6. The second side cooks faster than the first, so watch carefully and reduce heat if necessary.
7. Remove plantains from oil and drain on kitchen paper.
8. If frying in batches, keep cooked plantains warm in a low oven.
9. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips

• Use the cooking oil you have—rapeseed, olive, sunflower oil or butter all work.
• Serve warm. Keep cooked plantains in a warm oven if making a large batch.
• Reduce heat after turning slices because the second side browns faster.

Weight Watchers Points

• One serving of fried plantains: approx. 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints.
• One serving of air-fried plantains: approx. 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints.

More Plantain Recipes

• Plantain Pancakes
• Air Fryer Plantains
• Instant Pot Plantain Pumpkin Curry
• Plantain Waffles

Nutrition

Calories: 295 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 29 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 21 g |
Saturated Fat: 3 g |
Sodium: 4 mg |
Potassium: 447 mg |
Fiber: 2 g |
Sugar: 13 g