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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.
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If you love my air fryer sweet plantains plátanos maduros, you'll want to try my other meatless air fryer recipes for Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and 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
- Healthy. 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.
- Easy. This recipe is very easy to make, and you only need a few simple ingredients.
- Quick. 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.
- Versatile. 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.
- Delicious. 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" 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 degrees F. 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
Plantains are a rich source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and the minerals magnesium and potassium.
A medium sized plantain has 218 calories.
Technically, yes! But they don’t taste nearly as good as when they are baked, fried or air fried!
Plantains can be described as a banana that has tougher skin, that are starchy and not very sweet. Although plantains are classified as a fruit, 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 also widely used in Latin cuisine. Plantains can be prepared in many ways, including steamed, boiled, grilled, fried or baked.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
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Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe plantains
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Peel plantains. Then slice into ½" 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
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.
Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef
The golden-brown crisp on these plantains is the exact colour of my Cuban friends in Miami that have the most amazing authentic restaurant! Love these, I have got to get one of these air fryers, I've been putting it off! lol Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Felicia
This makes me want to bust out my air fryer! I have never had fried plantains before and these look yummy!
Josi
These look great!! So easy to make but I love good fried plantains!!
Patrice | Cardamom Magazine
These plantains look really good! I keep seeing so many healthy air fryer recipes, I think I need to get one!
Aimee DiPasquale
that looks so good. i am so interested to try that. is there a way to do it without an air fryer? I don't have one.
simplylowcal
Hi Aimee! Traditionally they are deep fried in oil. You can try to bake them, but they probably won't get the same browned outside that way.
Cindy
I’ve never tried plantains! You’ve made me curious. Also I must get an air fryer!
Shari Eckstrom
I never thought to do plantains in an air fryer. Gonna have to try this!
Jacqueline Debono
I have to confess I have never eaten plantains! They're not widely available here in Italy. But if I do come across some, I def want to try frying them like you do!
Ai | Ai made it for you
I've actually never tried plantains, as they're not available here in Japan. They look delicious!
Anindya Sundar Basu
Not a plantain lover as such but you have manged to make this recipe look beautiful . Thanks fcr the share .
Simone
I was recently gifted an awesome Power Air Fryer Pro & I'm going to have to make these for sure!
Sonila
My kids love sweet plaintains and making them in the air fryer seems so easy. I have to get an air fryer.
Kalyon Subbarao
Have tried shallow frying them, it was very tasty. And this is in an air fryer which does not use oil at all and this makes this dish more tasty. Brilliant Recipe !
Lathiya
We love fried plantains and this sweet one really wins my attention as it is air fried.
Jessica
How clever to make these in an air fryer! Same great flavor, without the mess! Thanks for the suggestion.
Emmeline
This post made me hungry!!! I've been CRAVING plantains for such a long time but there's just no way to get them here in Stockholm. Will need to schedule a trip to Mexico soon...
Suzy
Plantains are so good and I would definitely recommend anyone to try them! Love that you made these in the air fryer!
Megan Ellam
I have never actually tried plantains they aren't readily available in Australia without looking I suppose. These do however look amazingly caramelised. I think I need to go on a plantain hunt. 😂 Thanks for the inspiration.
Tonje
I love plantains! Thank you for reminding me to get an air fryer - this looks amazing.
Justine Howell
Just got my air fryer and looking for more recipes, so good!!!
Toni
This is really amazing! Such a delicious appetizer! My kids loved it.
Andrea Metlika
Oh my gosh, I love these. Genius use of the air fryer and perfect for snacking for me.
stephanie
These were one of my favorite foods as a child! Love the air fryer recipe.
Jessica
I live in Ecuador and make Plátanos alllll the time! I highly recommend this recipe!
Cindy
Another air fryer recipe for the win! My family really enjoyed these sweet plantains! My kids are already asking to make it again today!
Katie
Looks super good! Can't wait to try it.
Carrie Robinson
This looks like such a tasty snack! 🙂
estelle
yum these look great! can you use normal bananas instead? I have tons!
simplylowcal
Hi Estelle, I don't think normal bananas would work quite as well for this. Plantains are a bit more starchy.
Priya Lakshminarayan
we love plantains at home..we make a simple stir fry with it..this looks awesome too..will try it.
Tim
I have searched for the perfect air fryer recipe for months and found this one tonight. Had some yellow/black plantains and wow, perfection!!! I don’t need to look any further as your recipe is spot on.
simplylowcal
Thanks so much for your feedback, Tim. I'm glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Rita
Thank, I really enjoyed these.