Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)

You’ll love making these Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros) as the perfect side dish or meat substitute. They're a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and thanks to the air fryer—a lot lower in fat and calories than traditional plátanos maduros.

This recipe makes deliciously crisp plantain with minimal oil that tastes really great! 

Be sure to try my other meatless air fryer recipes for Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchini Chips!

Jump to:

• What Are Plantains?
• Differences Between Green Plantains and Yellow Plantains
• Why You'll Love Recipe
• How To Peel A Plantain
• Ingredients You Need
• Equipment For This Recipe
• Step By Step Photos
• How To Make Platanos Maduros
• Tips
• What to Serve with Air Fryer Sweet Plantains
• Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Maduros
• More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Enjoy
• Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)
• #respond

What Are Plantains?

Plantains are best described as "cooking bananas" that have tougher skin, and are starchy and not as sweet. Although plantains are classified as a fruit like a typical banana, they are commonly used as a vegetable. Plantains can be prepared in many ways, including steamed, boiled, grilled, fried or baked.

Differences Between Green Plantains and Yellow Plantains

Green plantains have a green or yellow-green skin and a firm, starchy texture with a mild, non-sweet flavor. They're commonly used in savory dishes due to their high starch content. They can be fried or mashed like the classic Dominican recipe mangú.

Yellow plantains have a yellow to yellow-brown skin, are softer and creamier when ripe. They're sweet because their starches convert to sugars as they ripen. In Spanish, they're called "plátanos maduro," which literally means "mature plantains" or "ripe plantains."

Yellow plantains are versatile, for both sweet and savory recipes. Think of it like a sweet potato (but sweeter)—you can enjoy them with savory foods, but they have a sweet flavor. Yellow plantains are commonly used in desserts, fried, baked, or grilled.

Why You'll Love Recipe

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. This recipe is very easy to make, and you only need a few simple ingredients. 

These air fryer sweet plantains (plátanos maduros) are ready with just a few simple steps. They take 8-10 minutes to cook, making them a great option for a quick snack or delicious side dish.

How To Peel A Plantain

Start by cutting off both ends of the plantains using a sharp knife. Then, make a shallow slit along the length of the plantain, being careful not to cut too deep into the actual fruit. Use your fingers or a knife to lift and peel off the skin of the plantain. Be careful NOT to get plantain stuck in between your thumb nail and your thumb when lifting the skin—it WILL hurt. I prefer to use the edge of the knife to help lift the skin.

Another option is to microwave the plantains for a few minutes, let them cool down (this is important so you don't burn yourself!), and then peel them. The skin will be softer and will lift up easier. You might need cut down on the cooking time since the plantain would have cooked a little in the microwave.

Ingredients You Need

• Raw ripe yellow plantains: The ripeness of the plantain is best with black spots and has a bit of yellow skin left.
• Avocado oil: Tasteless and has a high smoke point which stands up well in the air fryer. Do not use olive oil, it will smoke at 400F.
• Salt: Helps bring out the natural flavor and sweetness in the plantain.

Equipment For This Recipe

• Air fryer (obviously) — I love the Instant Pot Vortex because it's an air fryer and toaster oven in one.
• Large bowl

Step By Step Photos

Peel plantains and slice into ½-inch thick pieces.

Add oil and salt.

Add plantain to the air fryer basket.

Cook!

How To Make Platanos Maduros

Step 1. Peel and slice plantains: Peel 2 medium ripe plantains and slice them into ½-inch thick pieces. Make sure they're all the same width.

Step 2. Coat with oil and salt: Place the plantain pieces in a medium-sized bowl. Add avocado oil and salt. Mix well.

Step 3. Prep air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F.

Step 4. Air fry plantains: Add the coated plantain pieces to the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook in batches. Cook the plantains for 10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.

Step 5. Plate and serve: Carefully remove the golden brown plantain pieces from the air fryer basket and set them on a plate. Sprinkle with additional salt, if desired.

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

Tips

• 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.
• Sweet plantain slices are best when they're served hot. 

What to Serve with Air Fryer Sweet Plantains

Serve these as a side dish in place of French fries or sweet potato fries. I like to make a dip of mayo+ketchup for dipping.

Grilled chicken, air fryer chicken fajitas, air fryer enchiladas, or air fryer taquitos would make great main dishes to serve with air fryer plantains.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Maduros

More Air Fryer Recipes You Might Enjoy

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Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Plátanos Maduros)

4.88 from 62 votes

By Kate

You’ll love these air fryer sweet plantains (plátanos maduros). This easy recipe is made with much less fat and calories!

Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 15 minutes mins

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 130kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Special 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 coarse 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

• To peel plantains: Cut both ends of the plantains using a sharp knife. Make a shallow slit along the length of the plantain, being careful not to cut too deep into the actual fruit. Use your fingers or a knife to lift and peel off the skin of the plantain. Be careful NOT to get plantain stuck in between your thumb nail and your thumb when lifting the skin—it WILL hurt. I prefer to use the edge of the knife to help lift the skin. Another option is to microwave the plantains for a few minutes, let them cool down (this is important so you don't burn yourself!), and then peel them. The skin will be softer and will lift up easier. 
• 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.
• The sweet plantain slices taste best when served hot. 
• Storing: Allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. 
• Freezing: Be sure they are completely cooled before placing them in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

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.

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