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Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)

Name: Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 medium plantains, ripe; 2 tsp avocado oil; 1/8 tsp salt

August 16, 2019 by simplylowcal 60 Comments

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Air fryer sweet plantains are cooked in the air fryer to drastically reduce the amount of oil used. Same great sweet taste.

One of my all-time favorite foods as a child was plantains. We had them often, and there never seemed to be enough and they’d get gobbled up so quickly.

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.

Now, to cut back on the calories I cook them in the air fryer and they still taste amazing. These air fryer sweet plantains, also referred to as, plátanos maduros, taste amazing when air fried.

We like eating plantains as a side with our meal, but they can be used in sweet or savory dishes. They make a great meat substitute in tacos, and also make a great dessert when sprinkled with a little cinnamon and sugar.

What are plantains?

Although plantains are classified as a fruit, in many countries, it is used more like a vegetable than a fruit.

They are originally from Southeast Asia but are now grown all over the world. Plantains are usually tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin. They are starchy, not very sweet, and require cooking as they are not enjoyable to eat raw.

Even though plantains are a member of the banana family, they are distinctly different. They are actually a fruit, but treated like a vegetable.

Plantains are also widely used in Latin cuisine. Plantains can be prepared in many ways, including steamed, boiled, grilled, fried or baked.

My favorite style of plantains are maduros. Before ripening, plantains are green. Once they turn yellow/black, they are ripe and ready to go.

The riper they get, the sweeter they are, and that’s what we want when making maduros. They will also be soft when lightly squeezing them.

Are plantains healthy?

Plantains are a rich source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and the minerals magnesium and potassium.

How many calories are in a plantain?

A medium sized plantain has 218 calories.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Made in air fryer for less oil
Same great taste as deep frying
Great meat substitute

Ingredients

What you’ll need to make this recipe.

Ripe plantains
Avocado oil
Salt

How to make this recipe

1 – Start by peeling the plantains, then cut them into 1/2″ rounds.

2 – Toss plantains in the oil, then add salt and toss them again. Most of the salt will fall off when cooking, so they can be sprinkled again with a little salt after cooking. They taste better when slightly salted, but the amount is a personal preference.

3 – Turn the air fryer on to 400 degrees and place the plantain in the basket in a single layer, not overcrowding them. Cook for 5 minutes, flip them over, and cook for another 5 minutes.

4 – Repeat until all the plantain is done cooking.

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 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.

Can I store leftover plantains?

Yes. 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.

Please Note

Different air fryer brands may cook at different rates, so be sure to keep on eye on your food so it doesn’t burn.

Click here to see my favorite air fryer.

Click here to download my FREE kitchen cheat sheets.

Calories per serving (1/2 one plantain): 130

Yield: 4 Servings