Sweet air fryer plantains are great alongside beans and rice or stuffed into a vegan taco! I've got air fryer and oven directions for this maduros recipe, so choose your own adventure!
When I was a kid, a chain called Pollo Tropical opened up in my hometown of Ft. Lauderdale. My family would pick up food from "Pollo" at least once a week. It was my favorite fast food joint, and it's one that I still visit as a vegan today.
Their sides - especially their fried plantains - taste like delicious nostalgia, and most of them are vegan. These air fryer plantains are my home-spun version of my favorite fast food side.
Need more air fryer ideas? Check out these amazing vegan air fryer recipes
If you don't have an air fryer, you can make these plantains in the oven instead. It will take a bit longer, but don't let that stop you! They're super delicious and worth the extra time.
Before my air fryer, the oven was my favorite way to make "fried" plantains.
My kid seems to have inherited my love of plantains. When we eat at La Fonda Latina now, a plate of maduros is a must.
I'm so excited that I can cook up air fryer plantains for him now in less time than it takes to get us all in the car for a supper out.
About the oil in this recipe
This recipe does use oil. I know that not everyone is crazy about oil, but to get the browned, crispy texture of the fried plantains from my childhood, oil is required.
You can use a little bit of cooking spray or no oil instead, but know that your results will not be like the ones pictured.
They will be delicious, but they won't have those rich, crunchy browned edges that I associate with the best maduros.
Oil is what makes that happen.
How to choose your plantains
To make your air fryer plantains, I definitely recommend using actual plantains, not bananas. Plantains are starchier and larger than regular bananas, and I have not tested this recipe with anything but the real deal.
You also want to be sure that your plantain is very ripe.
When you're making maduros, having a perfectly ripe plantain is key. A plantain is ripe when it's almost totally brown and feels tender if you squeeze it gently.
A plantain that's green or mostly yellow in color is not going to work for this recipe.
They'll end up dry and crunchy on the outside and weirdly starchy on the inside, like too-thick plantain chips. They also won't have the sweetness you expect from good maduros. Trust me. I have tried to skimp on the ripening time!
Like bananas, you can speed up the ripening process by sticking your plantains into a brown paper bag. Check on them once a day until they're completely ripe and ready to bake or air fry!
How to peel and slice them
Preparing these is very easy! To peel your plantain, slice off the top, then use your knife to make a long, lengthwise slice down one side. The peel should come off easily.
After you peel, just use your knife to slice the plantain into ½" thick pieces.
When you slice, make sure to cut on an angle. This will open up more surface area, so you'll end up with better browning and crisper results.
The recipe below is for one plantain, which is two servings. You can easily double this recipe and follow the cooking directions exactly as written.
If you are planning to triple or quadruple, it may take a few more minutes in the air fryer. The oven directions remain the same.
Air fryer plantains recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ripe plantain - (It should be almost all brown and very soft. If it were a banana, you'd say it was no good, but instead, it's a perfect plantain!)
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil - (I used avocado oil, but sunflower or organic canola oil would also be fine.)
- pinch of salt - optional, but recommended
Instructions
- Slice your plantain at an angle, cutting pieces that are about ½" thick.
- Toss the plantain slices, oil, and salt together in a medium bowl. Make sure that all of the pieces get coated in oil.
Air Fryer Directions
- Transfer to your air fryer basket, and air fry at 400° F for 8-10 minutes, shaking after 5 minutes. Your plantains are done when they're browned on the outside and tender on the inside. Cooking time will vary depending on how ripe your plantains are. Check in at 8 minutes, and add another minute or two, if needed, to reach that nice, browned outside.
Oven Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400° F.
- Arrange the plantain slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat. Bake for 16-20 minutes, flipping them after 8 minutes. Your plantains are done when they're browned on the outside and tender on the inside. Cooking time will vary depending on how ripe your plantains are. If they don't look done at 16 minutes, check them at 18 minutes. If they still don't look totally done, flip them, and do 2 more minutes.
Susan Rosaly
This was wonderful!
Becky Striepe
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Susan! Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating!
Sanjay
What setting on the Air fryer should I use? I have the Philips XXL. Should it be fry or bake?
Becky Striepe
I would guess fry, but I am not super familiar with that model. Definitely keep an eye on those plantains, in case fry cooks super fast! I've had some combo ovens where the air fry setting is much hotter than in a standalone.
Sybyl Lancaster
I used to live in the Coral Springs area and loved Pollo Tropical! I look forward to making this recipe.
Becky Striepe
Aw, we were practically neighbors! I was in Broward near Davie.
Warren
Do platanos verdes not work in an air fryer? I personally despise the strong flavor and sometimes heavy, gummy texture of maduros for patacones and such, but love the green ones. This is a topic of vigorous contention in some countries (and some households) where platanos are a staple, and unless green platanos just do not work your readers should be encouraged to try them rather than adhere to your (wrong-headed!) insistence that only ripe platanos are worthy.
Becky Striepe
I haven't made platanos verdes in the air fryer, but I'm sure you can. I'm not sure where you got the impression that I have something against them. This recipe is for maduros, which require a ripe plantain. I wasn't taking a side, this just isn't a green plantain recipe. If I shared a recipe for tater tots, that wouldn't be me saying that I hate french fries. I hope you find what you are looking for!
Alix
What if I want to make the whole plantain? How long should I leave it? I like mine with cheese!
Becky Striepe
Ooh so you want to fry the whole thing with cheese on top? That sounds delightful! I'd lower the temp in that case. Maybe 350? And cook for longer, checking for doneness. I haven't tested doing it this way, though, so I can't say for sure.
Astrid
Just made them ! Wow first time .... next time I will do what I saw in Costa Ricca they squashed them when turning over so there is even more crisp surface ....
Becky Striepe
Oh, what a great idea! I need to try that, too!
Cindy
Do you remove the rind before cutting? I've never worked with Plaintains before
Becky Striepe
You do! If it's ripe, it should peel easily, like a banana.
christina masters
In the airfryer, do the plantains need to be in a single layer? I can't wait to make them!
Becky Striepe
You don't need to super worry about it, since you'll sale halfway through. I wouldn't do more than 3 or 4 at a time tops, though. Overfilling would make them cook unevenly for sure
David
I am happy to find this recipe. We will have a party in few weeks and some of our friends are vegans. Since we will have regular tacos, it sounds a great idea that I also can make some sweet plantains to go with vegan tocos. Thank you.
Becky Striepe
Enjoy! :)
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I am so excited about this recipe! I love plantains but have never made them at home. And your taco salad looks so delicious!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Amy! We had it again last night!
Dianne
This looks like such a fun recipe! I've only ever had plantains out at restaurants. I need to try this and make them at home. I love the idea of making plantain tacos!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Dianne!