Name: Fried Plantatians
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 small ripe plantain (yellow with black spots); 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (neutral flavor); pinch salt; 1 teaspoon brown sugar (adjust to your taste); ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon (adjust to your taste)

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Fried plantains are a simple, delicious treat that can be enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or even a mini dessert to finish off a meal. They’re crispy on the edges, tender inside, and can be made savory or sweet depending on your preference. This recipe uses one plantain and is perfectly portioned for one, and ready in a flash!

Pan fried slices of plantains sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Ingredients for Fried Plantains

Bottle of avocado oil, salt shaker, bowl of brown sugar and a plantain on wood surface.

How to Choose a Plantain

For sweet fried plantains: Look for a plantain that is very ripe—yellow with large black spots or even mostly black. The darker the skin, the sweeter and softer the plantain will be when fried. I added a bit more sugar to the recipe because I would have preferred my Plantain to bit a little more ripe.
For savory fried plantains: Choose a plantain that is just turning yellow but still has some firmness. These will hold their shape better and have a mildly sweet, starchy taste similar to a potato.

Avoid green plantains for this recipe, as they are very firm and starchy.

Step by Step Instructions

Sliced plantains on black cutting board.

Prepare the plantain: Peel the plantain by cutting off both ends and making a shallow slit along the length of the peel. Gently remove the peel and slice the plantain into ½-inch thick diagonal slices.
Heat the oil: In a small skillet, heat the 1-2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Carefully add the plantain slices to the pan in a single layer. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly caramelized.
Sprinkle with a pinch of salt for balance or cinnamon and brown sugar for a sweet touch. Enjoy immediately as a snack, side dish, or with a drizzle of honey or a dollop of yogurt if you like it extra sweet!

Pan fried plantains in skillet sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Recipe Notes for Beginners

How to tell if the oil is ready: Drop a tiny piece of plantain into the oil—if it sizzles, the oil is ready.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each slice space so they cook evenly.
Adjust sweetness: If your plantain isn’t very ripe, you can sprinkle a bit of sugar while cooking to enhance its natural sweetness.
Use a non-stick pan: This helps prevent sticking and makes frying easier. I like to use my small Le Crueset skillet.

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Fried Plantatians

Sweet plantains are made from ripe plantains, sliced and fried until golden brown with crispy, caramelized edges. Discover how to create this deliciously simple side dish with minimal prep—ready in just 15 minutes!

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings: person

Author:Sydney Dawes

Ingredients

▢ 1 small ripe plantain yellow with black spots
▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable oil neutral flavor
▢ pinch salt
▢ 1 teaspoon brown sugar adjust to your taste
▢ ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon adjust to your taste

Instructions

Peel the plantain by cutting off both ends and making a shallow slit along the length of the peel. Gently remove the peel and slice the plantain into ½-inch thick slices.
In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Carefully add the plantain slices to the pan in a single layer. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly caramelized.
Sprinkle with a pinch of salt for balance and add cinnamon and brown sugar for a sweet touch.

Notes

- How to tell if the oil is ready: Drop a tiny piece of plantain into the oil—if it sizzles, the oil is ready.

- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each slice space so they cook evenly.

- Adjust sweetness: If your plantain isn’t very ripe, you can sprinkle an extra bit of sugar while cooking to enhance its natural sweetness.

- Use a non-stick pan or enameled dutch oven: This helps prevent sticking and makes frying easier. The slices will easily release from the pan when they are ready to be flipped over.