Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)

These sweet plantains are sliced up then placed in the air fryer. They are made with much less fat and calories than their traditionally fried counterpart. You’ll love making these Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros) as a nutritionally dense side dish or meat substitute.

Check out my other meatless air fryer recipes for Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Chips.

One of my all time favorite foods as a child was plantains.

Today the same is true in my house now with my own children. Growing up, the traditional way we made plantains was to fry them in a pan of oil.

These days, I use the air fryer to make a deliciously crisp plantain with minimal oil that tastes just as great! 

Air fryer sweet plantains plátanos maduros are a great substitute for meat when added to tacos or wherever you’d add ground beef. You can even eat them for dessert with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar on top!

Why You'll Love Recipe

• Air fryer plantains are a healthier alternative to fried plantains. By using an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy texture without the need for excess oil.
• This recipe is very easy to make, and you only need a few simple ingredients.
• This recipe takes only 8-10 minutes to cook in the air fryer, making it a great option for a quick snack or side dish.
• Air fryer plantains can be served as a snack or side dish, and they're great for dipping in your favorite sauce. You can also add other seasonings to the plantains to change up the flavor.
• Air fryer plantains are absolutely delicious. They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a sweet and savory flavor that's hard to resist. Once you try this recipe, you'll want to make it again and again!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ripe Plantains: A ripe plantain is best when it's mostly black and has a bit of yellow skin left. It’s slightly firm but still a bit soft when you poke the skin. The riper they get, the sweeter they are, and that’s what we want when making maduros. Try not to use a plantain that is too overly ripe as they may be too soft and sweet to hold up in cooking.
• Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is the perfect cooking oil because it is tasteless and has a high smoke point which stands up well in the air fryer.
• Salt: Helps bring out the natural flavor and sweetness in the plantain.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Peel plantains. Then slice into ½ inch thick pieces.

Step 2: Place plantain pieces in a medium size bowl. Add oil and salt. Mix well so every side of each plantain is covered with oil.

Step 3: Add plantain to the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket. You will likely need to cook in batches.

Step 4: Turn on the air fryer to 400 ℉. Cook plantain for 10 minutes, flipping over half way through.

Step 5: Remove plantain pieces carefully from the air fryer basket and set on plate.

Step 6: Sprinkle with additional salt if desired. Repeat until all the plantains are cooked.

NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

Expert Tips

• This recipe still calls for oil, but a significant amount less than deep frying. Rather than cooking them in oil, the plantains are coated in a little avocado oil. Cooking spray can be used if you don’t want to use oil, but you won’t get the same delicious results the oil gives, which is the browning of the plantain. This is the best way to go if you’re looking for more traditional plantains.
• I recommend using an oil with a high smoke point because they are better for cooking at higher temperatures. I use avocado oil, but oils such as canola, grapeseed, sunflower and safflower oils also work.
• It’s important that the plantains cook in a single layer in the air fryer to make sure they don’t steam and become mushy. This may mean you’ll have to cook the plantains in smaller batches.
• Make sure all the plantain pieces are cut roughly the same size. This will ensure that they cook evenly.
• Air fryer plantains taste best when served hot.

Variations

• For a unique flavor, use coconut oil instead of avocado oil.
• Toss your favorite seasonings with the plantains before air frying.
• Add some heat by sprinkling them with a pinch of cayenne pepper before air frying.
• Slice them very thin and air fry for less time to turn them into homemade plantain chips.
• Cut them into french fry shapes to make plantain fries.
• Squeeze lime juice for a fresh flavor.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Place cooled plantains in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3 days. To reheat, place on a plate and microwave for a minute.

Freezing: You can freeze cooked and cooled plantains if they are wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 4 weeks. Let them defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Recipe FAQ's

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Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)

Erika

These sweet plantains are sliced up then placed in the air fryer. They are made with much less fat and calories than their traditionally fried counterpart. You’ll love making these air fryer sweet plantains (PLÁTANOS MADUROS) as a nutritionally dense side dish or meat substitute.

4.88 from 62 votes

Print Recipe

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Air Fryer

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Power Air Fryer XL
• ▢
  Cutting Boards
• ▢
  Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
• ▢
  Measuring Spoons

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 medium ripe plantains
• ▢ 2 teaspoons avocado oil
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• Peel plantains. Then slice into ½-inch thick pieces.
• Place plantain pieces in a medium size bowl. Add oil and salt. Mix well so every side of each plantain is covered with oil.
• Add plantain to air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd basket. You will likely need to cook in batches.
• Turn on air fryer to 400°F. Cook plantain for 10 minutes, flipping over half way through.
• Remove plantain pieces carefully from air fryer basket and set on plate. Sprinkle with additional salt if desired. Repeat until all the plantain is cooked.

Notes

• Different air fryer brands may cook at different rates, so be sure to keep on eye on food.
• I recommend using an oil with a high smoke point because they are better for cooking at higher temperatures. I use avocado oil, but oils such as canola, grapeseed, sunflower and safflower oils also work.
• It’s important that the plantains cook in a single layer in the air fryer to make sure they don’t steam and become mushy. This may mean you’ll have to cook the plantains in smaller batches.
• Make sure all the plantain pieces are cut roughly the same size. This will ensure that they cook evenly.
• Storing: Place cooled plantains in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3 days. To reheat, place on a plate and microwave for a minute.
• Freezing: You can freeze cooked and cooled plantains if they are wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 4 weeks. Let them defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 1gFat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 40mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13g

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Keyword air fryer plantains, Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)

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