If plantains aren’t something you cook with regularly, you may be surprised by just how versatile they can be.
Plantains are one of those ingredients that work beautifully in both sweet and savory recipes, with a starchy texture somewhat reminiscent of a cross between a banana and a sweet potato.
How you prepare them often depends on their ripeness. Green plantains tend to be firmer and more savory, while ripe plantains become softer and naturally sweeter.
They can be boiled, mashed, roasted, baked, or cooked in a skillet until deliciously golden brown.
For an easy snack or side, fry thin plantain slices until crisp and finish them with a sprinkle of sea salt. Sweeter fried ripe plantains can be caramelized and served on their own or paired with ice cream for dessert.
You can even use plantains as the base for creative dishes like nachos, proving there are far more ways to enjoy them than you might expect.
One useful tip is to avoid peeling plantains exactly as you would bananas. Instead, trim off both ends, carefully score the peel lengthwise with a sharp knife, and pull it away from the flesh.
Whether you prefer them crispy and salty, soft and sweet, or incorporated into a hearty meal, these plantain recipes offer plenty of delicious ways to experiment with this tropical favorite.
20. Amarillos (Platanos Maduros) – Fried Sweet Plantains Recipe
Sometimes the simplest recipes deliver the most satisfying results, and these Puerto Rican fried sweet plantains are a perfect example.
Known as Amarillos or Platanos Maduros, they require only two basic ingredients: very ripe brown plantains and oil for frying.
As the slices cook, their natural sugars caramelize, creating beautifully golden edges while the centers become soft, creamy and wonderfully sweet. Their versatility is part of the appeal.
Serve them alongside a savory Puerto Rican meal, enjoy a few as a quick snack or let their natural sweetness turn them into an effortless dessert.
Choosing sufficiently ripe plantains is essential, since the darker fruit develops the rich sweetness and tender consistency that make maduros so irresistible.
19. Easy Pan-Fried (or Air Fryer) Sweet Plantains (Ripening Plantains for Maduros)
Sweet plantains, or platanos maduros, are a staple of Cuban cooking and an easy way to add a sweet contrast to a savory meal.
As plantains ripen, their starches convert into sugars, giving the fruit the caramelized flavor and soft interior that make maduros so distinctive. Prepare the slices traditionally in a frying pan or use the air fryer when you want a convenient alternative.
Either way, they pair beautifully with Cuban favorites such as picadillo, rice, beans and other savory dishes. If you enjoy sliced banana alongside a salty meal, the combination of flavors will feel immediately familiar.
The key is allowing the plantains to become properly ripe before cooking, ensuring each piece develops plenty of natural sweetness and a tender texture.
18. Healthy and Tasty Plantain Muffins
Plantains make an unexpectedly delicious addition to these tender, naturally sweet muffins that work beautifully for breakfast or snacking.
The fruit helps create a wonderfully moist texture, while dried cranberries add chewy bursts of sweetness throughout every bite.
The basic recipe is easy to customize, too: chocolate chips and chopped pecans can be folded into the batter for extra richness and crunch, or you can experiment with your own favorite additions.
Prepare a batch with the intention of saving a few for breakfasts later in the week, although they may disappear much sooner than planned. Their portable size makes them convenient for busy mornings, lunch boxes or afternoon snacks.
Moist, flavorful and versatile, these plantain muffins offer another creative way to use ripe plantains beyond frying or baking them on their own.
17. Healthy Chocolate Chip Plantain Cookies
Plantains provide the foundation for these easy chocolate chip cookies designed with several dietary preferences in mind.
They’re paleo, vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and egg-free, making them particularly useful when conventional cookie ingredients aren’t an option.
Their texture falls somewhere between fudgy and cakey rather than mimicking a traditional store-bought cookie, but that difference is part of their charm.
Chocolate chips add rich little pockets of sweetness, while the plantain-based dough keeps the overall recipe relatively simple. These cookies are also a good choice when you’re looking for a treat that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet.
Enjoy them as an afternoon snack, pack a couple for later or bake a batch to share with anyone who needs a dessert free from several common ingredients.
16. Decadent Vegan Plantain Brownies
Ripe plantains perform a clever role in these rich vegan brownies, adding moisture to the batter much like bananas often do in baked desserts.
The important difference is that plantains have a subtler sweetness, so they contribute texture without leaving the brownies dominated by a strong banana flavor.
That makes them particularly well suited to chocolate, allowing the deep cocoa notes to remain front and center.
The finished brownies are moist, decadent and satisfyingly chocolatey while using an ingredient more commonly associated with savory or fried dishes.
Serve them as an everyday dessert, cut them into squares for a party tray or enjoy one with coffee when a chocolate craving strikes.
It’s a creative way to transform ripe plantains into something completely different while maintaining the rich character expected from a good brownie.
15. Yummy Baked Plantains
Thick slices give these baked plantains a satisfying contrast between lightly crisp exteriors and soft, tender centers.
Baking offers an easy way to prepare plantains without turning them into very thin chips, allowing more of their naturally creamy texture to remain intact.
Once cooked, they can go in either a sweet or savory direction depending on how you season them.
Sprinkle with cinnamon when you’re craving something warm and sweet, add cayenne for a spicy kick or leave the slices plain and pair them with your favorite dipping sauce.
They can work as a snack, side dish or simple addition to a larger meal. With minimal preparation and plenty of possibilities for customization, these baked plantains are a useful recipe whenever you have ripe fruit waiting on the counter.
14. Salty-sweet Baked Plantain Chips
When you can’t decide between a salty snack and something slightly sweet, these baked plantain chips offer a little of both.
Ripe plantains naturally bring sweetness, while a sprinkling of sea salt creates the savory contrast that makes each crispy slice so snackable.
For the best texture, cut the plantains as thinly and evenly as possible before baking so the pieces can crisp rather than remain thick and soft in the center.
Once baked, they’re an easy alternative to ordinary potato chips and can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a favorite dip. Make a batch for movie night, serve them as a simple party snack or keep some nearby when an afternoon craving arrives.
Their combination of caramelized plantain flavor and salt makes it surprisingly easy to keep reaching for another handful.
13. Coconut Sugar Caramelized Extra-ripe Plantains
Those almost-black plantains sitting on the counter are exactly what you need for this quick caramelized dessert.
Extra-ripe fruit contains plenty of natural sweetness and becomes beautifully soft as it cooks, while coconut sugar helps create a rich caramelized coating around each piece.
If coconut sugar isn’t available, brown sugar works well as a substitute, and even regular white sugar can be used when necessary.
Because plantains can vary considerably in ripeness, keep an eye on the pan and adjust the cooking time rather than relying only on the clock.
In just minutes, an ingredient that may look past its prime becomes a warm, sweet treat with deliciously caramelized edges. Serve the plantains on their own for an effortless dessert or pair them with another favorite topping for something more indulgent.
12. Pastelón (Sweet Plantain Lasagna with Ground Beef ol Pulled Pork)
Think of this Pastelón as a creative plantain-based take on layered comfort food. Instead of pasta sheets or strips of zucchini, sweet plantains form layers around a savory meat filling, creating an irresistible contrast between sweetness and richness.
Cuban-style picadillo made with stewed ground beef is a classic filling option, but leftover pulled pork works beautifully as well and provides a convenient way to transform yesterday’s meal into something completely new.
When pulled pork is paired with sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, the flavor complements the ripe plantains especially well. Once layered and baked, the ingredients come together into a substantial dish that’s ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
It’s an excellent recipe for anyone who wants to explore plantains beyond the more familiar fried side dishes.
11. Sweet and Smoky Plantain Stew with Coconut Milk and Lime Juice
Part chili and part tropical stew, this colorful plantain dish brings together an unusual combination of smoky, sweet, creamy and tangy flavors.
Cumin, bell peppers and beans give it some of the hearty character of chili, while coconut milk introduces a creamy tropical element. Plantains contribute gentle sweetness, and fresh lime juice brightens the entire pot with a citrusy finish.
Canned tomatoes with green chilies can be used when you want a little extra heat, creating another layer of flavor without making the preparation complicated.
The result is substantial enough for a comforting dinner yet brighter than many traditional cold-weather stews. Serve generous bowls on their own or pair the stew with rice for an even heartier meal.
It’s a creative way to use plantains in a savory recipe with plenty of contrasting flavors.
10. Chunky and Funky Mashed Plantains
Mashed plantains offer a fun alternative to the usual potato side, but don’t expect exactly the same texture. Rather than becoming effortlessly smooth and creamy, plantains naturally produce a chunkier, heartier mash with plenty of character.
Their high starch content also means they benefit from bold seasoning, so this is the perfect recipe for experimenting with herbs, spices and other flavorful additions instead of relying only on butter and salt.
If you prefer a softer, more velvety consistency, continue working the cooked plantains and add a little cream or another creamy ingredient until the desired texture develops.
Serve this mash alongside roasted meat, vegetables or your favorite savory main course. It’s an easy way to put a completely different spin on the familiar idea of mashed potatoes.
9. Soft and Sturdy 3-Ingredient Plantain Tortillas
Only three ingredients are needed to turn plantains into soft, flexible homemade tortillas. Unlike some corn tortillas that can become dry or fragile, these have enough structure to hold plenty of filling while remaining pleasantly tender and easy to fold.
They’re also naturally gluten-free, making them a useful alternative when traditional flour tortillas aren’t suitable.
Fill them with beans and vegetables for a meatless meal, add your favorite taco fillings or use them as a simple wrap for whatever ingredients are already in the refrigerator.
Their mild plantain flavor works with a variety of savory combinations without overwhelming the filling.
With such a short ingredient list, this recipe is an approachable introduction to homemade tortillas and another clever way to use plantains beyond the usual fried or baked preparations.
8. Pan Fried Sweet Plantain Gnocchi with Garlic Brown Butter
Plantains take the place of potatoes in this creative homemade gnocchi finished with aromatic garlic brown butter. The dough begins with cooked and mashed plantains combined with ricotta, flour, salt and pepper.
Start bringing everything together in a bowl, then move the dough to the counter for kneading until it reaches the right consistency. Because the plantains have already been cooked, the shaped gnocchi need only a short time in boiling water.
Once the little pieces puff up and float to the surface, they’re ready for the next step. Pan-frying adds extra texture before the gnocchi are coated in flavorful garlic brown butter.
The result balances the subtle sweetness of plantain with savory, nutty and garlicky notes for an inventive alternative to traditional potato gnocchi.
7. Empanadas de Plátano Maduro with Ripe Plantain and Cheese
Ripe plantains bring natural sweetness and a distinctive texture to these Colombian-inspired empanadas.
Instead of relying solely on the pastry-style dough commonly associated with empanadas, this variation incorporates plantain into the preparation, creating a delicious contrast with the savory cheese filling inside.
Keep things simple with cheese alone for an easy snack or appetizer, or add a little guava paste for a sweet-and-savory combination with even more Colombian character. The fruitiness of guava pairs especially well with both creamy cheese and ripe plantain.
Serve the empanadas warm when the filling is at its best, either as a snack, party appetizer or part of a larger Latin-inspired meal. They’re an excellent example of how versatile ripe plantains can be when used beyond familiar side dishes and desserts.
6. Crazy Easy Fried Plantain Pattie – Perfect Side Dish!
These easy fried plantain patties can move effortlessly from the breakfast table to dinner depending on how you prepare them.
Serve a savory batch alongside morning eggs, pair them with juicy pork tenderloin or use them anywhere you might normally reach for a potato-based side. They’re naturally gluten-free and substantial enough to make a meal feel more satisfying.
Ripeness also gives you plenty of room for experimentation. Very ripe plantains can be combined with chocolate chips for a sweeter, pancake-like variation, while greener plantains work beautifully with savory additions such as corn and grated Parmesan.
That flexibility makes the basic recipe useful for both sweet and savory cravings. Crisp from the pan and filling in the center, these patties are a simple way to turn plantains into an adaptable everyday side.
5. Caribbean Plantain & Avocado Salad for BBQ
Give the usual barbecue side dishes a tropical change of pace with this colorful Caribbean plantain and avocado salad.
Ripe plantains are fried until caramelized, bringing natural sweetness and a golden exterior that pairs beautifully with creamy avocado.
Because many grocery stores sell plantains while they’re still green, it’s worth buying them several days before you plan to prepare the salad. Letting them ripen first ensures they develop the sweetness needed for those delicious caramelized slices.
Once ready, the plantains turn an ordinary summer salad into something much more memorable. Serve it alongside grilled foods at a barbecue, bring a bowl to a picnic or add it to a warm-weather dinner when you want a break from traditional potato salad.
Sweet plantain and buttery avocado make a particularly satisfying combination.
4. Crispy Salted Tostones (Green Plantains, Double Fry)
Crispy, salty and wonderfully snackable, tostones are a popular way to prepare green plantains throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
Unlike sweet maduros, this recipe calls for firm, unripe plantains, which have a starchier flavor that works beautifully with plenty of sea salt. The secret to the signature texture is frying the pieces twice.
After the first fry, the plantain rounds are flattened before returning to the oil, where they develop crisp, golden surfaces and satisfying crunch. Finish them generously with salt while they’re still hot and serve immediately for the best texture.
Tostones can accompany a larger meal, replace ordinary chips as a snack or be paired with flavorful dips and sauces. The double-frying process requires an extra step, but the exceptionally crisp results make it worthwhile.
3. Spicy Plantain Black Bean Tacos for Meatless Monday
Sweet ripe plantains and spicy black beans make these tacos an exciting option for Meatless Monday.
The plantains are seasoned with cinnamon, cayenne and cumin, creating a warm mixture of sweetness, spice and earthiness that complements the savory beans beautifully.
Add spicy mango salsa and you get even more contrast from fresh fruit, heat and tangy flavors, all wrapped together in one satisfying taco.
The seasoned plantains are versatile enough to use beyond this particular recipe as well, pairing nicely with chicken or beef if you want to experiment with different fillings.
Still, the combination with black beans creates a hearty meatless meal that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Serve the tacos with your favorite toppings for a colorful dinner that brings several bold flavors and textures to the table.
2. Easy Plantain Bread with Mellow Flavor
At first glance, this loaf could easily be mistaken for classic banana bread, but plantains give it a noticeably different personality.
Although the preparation and many of the ingredients are similar, plantains aren’t naturally as sweet as ripe bananas, resulting in a more mellow fruit flavor.
Sugar and vanilla provide enough sweetness to keep the loaf firmly in treat territory without overpowering the subtle plantain taste. Enjoy a slice for breakfast, serve it with afternoon coffee or use it as a simple homemade dessert.
If you prefer a richer and sweeter version, there are plenty of ways to customize the batter. Coconut milk can add another tropical note, while chocolate chips or caramel bring extra indulgence.
It’s a straightforward baking project and a creative alternative when you want something different from ordinary banana bread.
1. Plantain Fufu – Traditional West-African dish
Green plantains transform into a smooth, stretchy accompaniment in this traditional West African-inspired fufu recipe. Preparation begins by chopping the unripe plantains and blending them with a small amount of water until completely smooth.
The mixture is then transferred to the stovetop, where continuous cooking and vigorous stirring with a wooden spoon gradually change its consistency.
After roughly 10 minutes, it becomes elastic and stretchy, developing the characteristic texture needed for serving. Plantain fufu has a relatively mild flavor on its own, which is exactly what makes it such a useful partner for intensely seasoned soups and stews.
Rather than competing with the main dish, it provides a satisfying starchy base for soaking up flavorful sauces and broths. It’s a simple introduction to a completely different way of preparing green plantains.
20 Plantain Recipes: How to Fry Sweet Plantains (Ripe Maduros) and More
Unlock 20 plantain recipes! Learn how to fry sweet plantains (ripe maduros) to caramelized perfection. From side dish to dessert, enjoy ripe or unripe plantains.
Ingredients
- Amarillos (Platanos Maduros) - Fried Sweet Plantains Recipe
- Easy Pan-Fried (or Air Fryer) Sweet Plantains (Ripening Plantains for Maduros)
- Healthy Plantain Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Plantain Cookies
- Vegan Plantain Brownies
- Baked Plantains
- Baked Plantain Chips
- Coconut Sugar Caramelized Plantains
- Pastelón (Sweet Plantain Lasagna)
- Sweet & Smoky Plantain Stew
- Mashed Plantains—Sweet & Savory
- 3-Ingredient Plantain Tortillas
- Sweet Plantain Gnocchi with Garlic Brown Butter
- Empanadas de Plátano Maduro (Ripe Plantain Empanadas with Cheese)
- Crazy Easy Pan-Fried Plantain Pattie
- Caribbean Plantain & Avocado Salad
- Crispy Salted Tostones
- Spicy Plantain Black Bean Tacos
- Easy and Delicious Plantain Bread
- Plantain Fufu
Instructions
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- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
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