15-Minute Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros) Recipe
A quick and delicious recipe for fried sweet plantains (Platanos Maduros) that are golden brown, crispy on the edges, and naturally sweet. Perfect as a side dish or snack, these plantains are pan-fried to perfection in just 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe plantains (the darker the skin, the sweeter they will be)
- Oil with a high smoke point (such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil), about 1/2 cup
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Plantains: Start by cutting the ends off the plantains using a sharp knife. Make a shallow cut lengthwise along the plantain with the tip of the knife. Gently peel the skin off with your fingers. The skin should come off easily since the plantains are ripe and soft.
- Slice the Plantains: Using a sharp knife, slice the plantains diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Try to keep the slices uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Heat the Oil: In a large nonstick skillet, pour enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan, about 1/2 cup. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Remember, sweet plantains absorb oil, so you might need to add more if frying in batches.
- Fry the Plantains: Carefully add the plantain slices to the hot oil and fry until they turn golden brown and have crispy edges. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the slices.
- Drain and Season: Transfer the fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Immediately season them with salt to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use very ripe plantains with mostly black or dark yellow skin for maximum sweetness.
- Keep the oil at medium-high heat to ensure even frying without burning.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
- Drain fried plantains well to keep them crispy.
- These make a great side for savory dishes or a sweet snack on their own.
