With caramelized crisp edges and a sweet, tender interior, These Air Fryer Sweet Plantains, also known as Platanos Maduros, are the mess-free, speedy way to get this beloved dish on the table fast.
Sweet Plantains, or Maduros, are a beloved recipe in my Colombian-American household and are so versatile. They feature crispy caramelized edges and tender sweet interiors that go so well with so many dishes (think Chicken and Rice or Colombian Steak with Tomatoes and Onions).
Typically sweet plantains are shallow fried in oil. And let me say, they’re so unbelievably good that way. But more often than not, when I’m trying to get dinner on the table, I need a hands-off cooking method to help me. That’s why I turned to the air fryer! I’ll admit straight off, they aren’t the same as traditionally fried platanos. But they’re close enough and super delicious. Which is pretty much a lot of the reasons why I love air fryer recipes (like Air Fryer Grilled Cheese and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast).
Let's Talk Plantains
This starchy fruit belongs to the banana family and can be consumed at different stages of ripeness. Plantains are eaten when green and firm, often added to savory dishes. As they ripen, they become sweeter and softer and can be used in both sweet and savory preparations.
Plantains are a staple food for many cultures, including many Caribbean and Latin American countries, and can be found in a wide range of dishes, from fried snacks to side dishes and desserts. In our household, we usually enjoy sweet plantains as a snack or as a side dish to serve alongside a meaty main course, usually with rice and beans.
For this recipe, which is intended to be sweet, the plantains should be nearly all black or yellow with many black speckles. When ripe, a plantain should yield slightly when gently pressed. The texture should be firm, without being overly soft or mushy.
How to Cut Plantains
Safety first, always! Cutting the plantain is quite simple, but if you've never done it, you might be surprised how different it feels from a banana.
- To begin, cut off both the tough ends of the plantain.
- Make shallow slits along the length of the plantain, cutting through the peel but not the flesh.
- Gently pull back the peel along the slits. Use a knife to slice off any stuck peel.
- Slice the plantains on an angle to increase surface area, resulting in a crispy, caramelized texture.
How to Make Them
It's worth noting that there are so many different types of air fryers available, so it's likely yours is different than mine. Air fryers have different capabilities, basket styles and capacities. Thus, it's essential to consider these variations while following this Air Fryer Sweet Plantain recipe. You may need to modify the cooking time depending on the type of air fryer you have.
Step 1: Lightly coat the air fryer with non-aerosol avocado oil spray. Layer the plantains evenly spaced apart in the air fryer. Lightly spray the plantains with avocado spray.
Step 2: Air fryer for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with more avocado spray if necessary, until the edges are caramelized in the interior is tender.
Serving Sweet Plantains
These are best served immediately, with a generous sprinkle of salt.
Unfortunately, they don't store well—at least not in the sense that they will stay the same texture as when they are straight out of the air fryer. But that doesn't mean they aren't delicious heated up later. You can keep leftovers for 2-3 days and reheat them in an oven or toaster oven.
More Colombian Recipes
- Salted Potatoes (Papa Salada)
- Colombian Aji (Ají Colombiano)
- Arepas con Queso
- Colombian Chicken Stew (Sudado de Pollo)
More Side Dishes
Making these Air Fryer Sweet Plantains? Be sure to leave a comment with a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on your experience! Have a question? Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can!
PrintFull Recipe
Air Fryer Sweet Plantains
- Prep Time: 00:05
- Cook Time: 00:10
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Side Dish / Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Latin
Description
With caramelized crisp edges and a sweet, tender interior, These Air-Fried Sweet Plantains, also known as Platanos Maduros, are the mess-free, speedy way to get this beloved dish on the table fast. Buy yellow plantains and let them ripen at home until they are black or nearly black. The darker and softer the plantain, the more moist and sweet they will be.
Ingredients
- 3 extra-ripe (nearly black) sweet plantains
- Avocado oil spray (or similar air fryer-safe oil for coating the basket)
- Coarse salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 425ºF.
- Slice off both hard ends of each plantain. Carefully make a shallow slit along the length of each plantain, cutting through the peel but not into the flesh. Pull off the peel and discard. Slice the peeled plantains on an angle (a bias cut), about ¾-inch thick.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil (I use a non-aerosol avocado oil spray), then place the plantains in it, spaced evenly apart. Lightly spray the tops of the plantains with the avocado spray.
- Place the basket in the air fryer and cook the plantains for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the plantains are caramelized on the edges and soft in the middle.
- Serve the sweet plantains immediately with a generous sprinkle of coarse salt.
Notes
Plantains undergo a tremendous transformation from green to super-ripe, just like bananas. They can be consumed at different stages of ripeness. When green, they are very starchy and not sweet. As they ripen, they become sweeter and softer and can be used in both sweet and savory preparations. For this dish, you are meant to use very ripe plantains that should be nearly all black. The level of sweetness in the finished dish will depend entirely on the stage of ripeness with the plantains.
Slice the plantains on a bias, which means on an angle. This type of cut will yield more surface area for the plantains to achieve a crispy, caramelized texture on the outside.
Air fryers vary widely in terms of capabilities, capacities, and basket styles. It's important to acknowledge this variation when it comes to any recipe for the air fryer. You might need to adjust the cooking times based on your air fryer. Additionally, if you have a smaller air fryer, you might need to cook in batches. Remember to avoid overcrowding the basket, allowing ample space between the plantains to promote proper air circulation and achieve crispy perfection.
Sweet plantains are best served immediately; while they won't retain their crispness upon storage, they're still delicious and reheated within 2-3 days in an oven or toaster oven.
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