These baked plantain fries are oven fried to crisp perfection. Enjoy as an appetizer or side dish.
Plantains were pretty much a childhood staple growing up in the Caribbean. I love plantains especially fried plantains but I have always had an aversion to cooking deep-fried foods so I began baking plantains a while back.
If you’ve never heard of plantains, they are a starchy version of bananas and a very good source of potassium, prebiotics and dietary fiber. Baked plantain fries make an amazing side dish as well as an appetiser so keep reading to learn how to make this healthy-fied Caribbean dish!
What’s needed to make plantain fries
Essential ingredients
- Greenish plantains
- Coconut oil
- sea salt
Optional flavour boosters to take them up a notch
- cinnamon
- cayenne pepper
How to make plantain fries in the oven
- Peel and slice your plantains into strips
- Toss them with coconut oil to coat
- Season with salt and optional flavour boosters
- Bake in a pre heated oven for 15-20 minutes
How to select the best plantains for making fries
The battle of green plantains vs sweet plantains…
Green plantains look like large green bananas. They have a hard green skin and even though they are technically a fruit they need to be cooked before eating.
Sweet plantains have a yellow skin and while they still require cooking they have a much sweeter banana like flavour and texture.
The best plantains for making these healthier fries are green plantains. They’re more starchy, firm and less sweet. Perfect for making fries.
What to serve with plantains
As a side dish plantain goes very well with most protein. Try serving plantains with dishes such as :
As an appetiser serve baked plantain fries with dipping sauces such as
- greek yogurt dipping sauce – simply mix greek yogurt and hot sauce
- guacamole
- aioli
Baked Plantain Fries
Ingredients
- 2 large fairly green plantains
- 2 tablespoons organic extra virgin coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425ºF / 218ºC and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the ends off plantains. Slice the skin from top to bottom and peel off the skin.
- Cut plantain into half so you now have two pieces.
- Cut plantain into strips.
- Toss plantain strips with enough coconut oil to coat. Season with salt, cinnamon and cayenne pepper
- Place plantain strips on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 15 – 20 minutes, turning over about half way through.
WOW, I LOVE plantain and these fries look divine, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Charlene! Nice to meet a fellow plantain lover!:)
Never made anything with plantain before! Time to try, definitely.
Oh yes definitely Rachel!
absolutely love the dipping sauce idea!
Thanks, they go really well together.
These sound delicious! I have never made them but want to now 🙂 Shared it and pinned it.
Thank you Emily. Give them a try and let me know what you think.
I have never had plantain fries before! Fun idea!
I’m sure you and the girls would like them a lot Renee!
Ohhh my goodness they look delicious! I wish I had some now. Pinning this xx
Wish I could send you some May.. 😉
What an irresistible treat!
Thanks Sylvie!
Ever since my first bite in Honduras many years ago, I’ve LOVED plantains…but I’ve never thought about baking them! Great recipe – pinning!
Thanks Dena. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them baked..:)
Wow! These look amazing! I have never tried plantains before….I know right?? I should try these out!
Oh yes ma’am you most definitely should!
I’m Jamaican and I love my plantains. Got to have it every other week and sure did enjoy it today. I’ve never tried this recipe before so I’m eager to test it out.
Let me know how you like it Claudia!