Air-Fryer Thin Plantain Chips: The Perfect Crunch!

Air fryers are a great way to make plantain chips, offering a healthier alternative to deep-fried chips without compromising on taste and texture. The process is simple: start by thinly slicing green plantains – the less ripe, the better – and coat them with a small amount of oil and seasoning. Then, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at around 350°F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your slices. Keep an eye on them, especially towards the end of the cooking time, as they can burn easily. You can also make sweet plantain chips by using ripe, yellow plantains and coating them in cinnamon and sugar.

Choosing the right plantain

Ripeness:

The ripeness of the plantain will significantly impact the texture and flavour of your chips. For thin, crispy chips, it is best to choose plantains that are mostly green with little to no yellow. Green plantains are less ripe and have a lower sugar content, making them firmer, starchier, and easier to slice. Yellow or brown plantains are riper and sweeter, but they will not crisp up as well and can be trickier to cut into thin, even slices.

Size:

Look for plantains that are large enough to yield a good number of chips. Plantains are typically bigger than bananas, so aim for something larger than your average banana.

Skin:

Plantains have thicker skin than bananas. When choosing your plantain, look for one with a bright yellow or green skin that is free from any bruises or soft spots. A few brown spots are okay, but generally, the skin should be mostly green for the best chip-making results.

Texture:

When selecting your plantain, give it a gentle squeeze. You want it to feel firm, which indicates that it is ripe enough to be sliced thinly without turning mushy. Avoid plantains that feel too soft, as they will be difficult to slice thinly and may not yield the desired crispy texture.

Availability:

Depending on your location, finding plantains may be a bit tricky. Try looking in the produce section of larger grocery stores, often near the bananas. Some common retailers that carry plantains include Walmart and Winco. If you can't find them at your local store, you may need to explore specialty markets or international food stores.

Remember, the key to successful plantain chips is choosing firm, green plantains that can be sliced thinly and evenly. With the right plantain and a sharp mandoline or knife, you'll be well on your way to crispy, crunchy perfection!

Preparing the plantain for slicing

First, select the right plantains. Green plantains are ideal for thin, crispy chips as they are less sweet and maintain their texture better. Riper, yellow plantains will result in sweeter chips but may not get as crispy. Look for plantains that are large, firm, and unripe, with green skin and no signs of yellowing.

Before slicing, you'll need to peel the plantain. Here's a technique to make peeling easier: start by cutting off both ends of the plantain. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully score the skin lengthwise, being careful not to cut into the flesh. You can make multiple lengthwise cuts if needed. After scoring, you should be able to easily peel off the skin with your hands.

Now, you're ready to slice the plantain. The key to thin, crispy chips is to slice the plantain as thinly as possible, ideally about 1/8" thick or less. You can use a sharp knife for this, but a mandoline slicer is highly recommended as it will help you achieve even, ultra-thin slices. Some people also prefer to cut the plantain in half before slicing to make it easier to manage. Be very careful when using sharp tools and always watch your fingers!

Once you've sliced your plantain into thin strips or coins, you're ready to move on to the next step of the chip-making process. Remember, the thinner and more consistent your slices are, the crispier your chips will be, and the more evenly they will cook in the air fryer.

Slicing the plantain

To start slicing the plantain, first cut off both ends of the plantain. Then, using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, carefully slice the plantain into thin, uniform pieces. If you're using a mandoline slicer, adjust the settings to the desired thickness—a thickness of 1/8” is recommended. You can also cut the plantain in half before slicing to make it easier to handle. Be very careful when using a mandoline or sharp knife, and consider using a safety glove to protect your hands.

If you're slicing the plantain by hand, try to make the slices as thin and even as possible. Inconsistent thickness may result in some chips burning while others remain undercooked. Additionally, thinner slices will cook faster than thicker ones, so keep an eye on them while they're in the air fryer and remove the thinner chips first if needed.

Once you've sliced the plantain, toss the slices with a small amount of oil—avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil are all good options—to coat them evenly. You can also add seasonings like salt, cumin, coriander, or chili flakes at this stage, orsection.

Seasoning the plantain

If you want to make sweet plantain chips, you can season them with cinnamon and sugar. You can also add a dash of salt to bring out the sweetness. Alternatively, you can cover your sweet plantain chips in melted chocolate or drizzle them with honey.

If you prefer savoury plantain chips, you can season them with salt and pepper or your favourite spices. Some popular spice options include cumin, coriander, chili flakes, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and lime juice. You can also make a savoury chip by sprinkling them with cinnamon-sugar after frying.

Air-frying the plantain

Preparing the Plantains

Start by selecting the right plantains. Green plantains are ideal for a savoury, salty, and starchy chip. If you prefer sweeter chips, choose ripe, yellow plantains with some black spots.

Before peeling the plantains, cut off both ends and make a shallow cut along the length of the fruit, taking care not to damage the flesh. Then, peel off the skin. Some recipes suggest cutting the plantain in half before slicing, while others recommend slicing the whole fruit.

Slicing the Plantains

The key to crispy plantain chips is to slice the fruit thinly and evenly. A mandoline slicer is the best tool for this task, as it ensures uniform slices. You can also use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, but be careful of your fingers! The slices should be about 1/8" thick or less. Thicker slices will result in more fry-like strips.

Seasoning the Plantains

Place the plantain slices in a bowl and toss them with a small amount of oil. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or another oil of your choice. Make sure all the slices are coated. Then, lay the slices on the air fryer tray or basket in a single layer, being careful not to overlap them. Sprinkle the plantains with salt. You can also add other seasonings like cinnamon-sugar for a sweet chip, or spices like cumin, coriander, or chili flakes for a savoury kick.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C to 180°C). Place the tray or basket in the air fryer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on the chips, especially towards the end of the cooking time, as they can burn easily. If you are using a deep air fryer, you may need to cook the chips in batches.

After the initial cooking time, turn the slices over and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness. The chips should be golden brown.

Serving the Plantain Chips

Remove the chips from the air fryer and let them cool. Plantain chips are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. If they lose their crispness, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Frequently asked questions