With a crispy exterior, creamy interior and a sweet and salty flavor, baked sweet plantains are easy, wholesome and delicious! Learn how to peel this starchy fruit and how to roast it to perfection.
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I was first introduced to plantains on my Spanish immersion homestay in Costa Rica a few years ago (the same time I was introduced to Gallo Pinto!). Iris, my host, would cook up "platanos maduros" (ripe plantains) or "platanos verdes" (green plantains) with almost every meal.
Sometimes, she would slice them thin (like these air fryer plantain chips), sometimes she would cut them in rounds and sometimes she made "Tostones" (plantains that are cut into rounds, fried, squished down and then fried again). But they were always cooked by frying in a lot of oil.
After my trip, I was decidedly hooked on plantains and have since been trying to figure out the best method to make them at home but without a lot of oil.
And this recipe for Crispy Baked Sweet Plantains is it! While I am still trying to find the best way to make "platanos verdes", this recipe for ripe plantains is, in my humble opinion, the best!
Super crispy outside, soft and creamy inside. Sweet and salty flavour combination. Quick and easy. Are you sold yet??
But seriously, if you have never tried plantains, this recipe is the place to start!
Sweet and savoury, they are a great snack or appetizer. They are also a tasty side dish to sandwiches, burgers, fish and more. Try them sometime instead of fries and be sure to let me know what you think!
The Ingredients
- Plantains- This recipe is for mature (ripe) plantains, which are yellow-black (like the picture above). Mature plantains are sweeter and softer.
- Avocado Oil- Olive oil or another neutral cooking oil will work as well.
- Fine Sea Salt
The Method
1. Prep the plantain. First, slice off the end. Then, cut a thin slit down the peeling (careful to only cut through the peeling and not into the fruit). You should then be able to peel it off. Finally, cut the plantain into ½ inch (1cm) rounds.
2. Toss plantain with oil and salt. Place the rounds in a bowl and toss with sea salt and olive oil until evenly coated.
3. Place on a baking sheet. I highly recommend lining your baking sheet with either a silicone mat or parchment paper. That way, the plantains won't stick and you'll be able to achieve the golden and crisp edges! Ensure the plantains are spread out in a single layer and aren't over crowded.
4. Bake. Flip. Bake. Bake the plantains at 450 F for 10 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and flip each round. Bake for an additional 8-12 minutes (I usually find 10 to be perfect) until very soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
5. Enjoy!
Leftovers and Storage
To Store: These baked sweet plantains are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Place plantains on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes until warmed and crisp. Or you can reheat them in the microwave (but they will no longer be crispy).
Make it Your Own
If you would like to change up the flavour of these, feel free to play around with adding seasonings! Some possible tasty additions would be:
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Taco Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
Serving Ideas
Try these Sweet Baked Plantains as a fun snack or appetizer! They are also a tasty option for a side dish with:
- Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Rice and Beans)
- Sandwiches such as this Chimichurri Chicken Sandwich
- Simple Barbecued Burgers or Pork Banh Mi Burgers
- Lemon Garlic Herb Cod
- Chinese Scrambled Eggs
- Quesadillas
Plantains are a cousin of bananas. They have a thicker skin and are starchier. Unlike bananas, they are typically eaten cooked (they aren't very good raw- almost like eating a raw potato!).
Plantains are a source of fiber, potassium and magnesium as well as vitamins A, B-6 and C.
Plantains can typically be found in most grocery stores. They are often in the produce section near bananas.
Green plantains are unripe, harder and starchier. They have a taste that is almost comparable to a potato. As plantains ripen, they become yellow and then black. They get softer and sweeter and start to taste a bit more like a banana.
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Recipe Card
Baked Sweet Plantains
Ingredients
- 1 ripe plantain
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 °F.
- Peel and cut plantains into ½ inch thick slices. Toss to coat with olive oil and salt and arrange in a single layer on a silicone mat or parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Flip. Bake for an additional 8-12 minutes until browned and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
More Side Dishes!
nancy says
wow i am totally obsessed with this recipe. It is super tasty and so easy to make for snacks!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Nancy!
Stacey says
I haven't had crispy plantains since a trip many years ago to Puerto Rico. Thanks for this recipe, I nearly forgot how very yummy these are!
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, Stacey! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Savannah says
These crispy plantains are so good. My favorite snacks!
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your kind review.
Donny says
I LOVE plantains and have always wondered if I could bake them. Thank you so much for this!
ChihYu says
Thank you for this recipe! Love that these plantains are baked and that you've shown how to peel them too! Will be able to enjoy them often!
Janessa says
I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, ChihYu! Thank you for your kind review.
jennifer says
Oh yeah!!!! I love plantains and this healthier baked option totally works with my lifestyle. -- I made a bowl with these, some black beans and greens, so yummy!
Janessa says
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe!