Frying Plantains: Air Fryer Quick Tips And Tricks

Frying plantains in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or side dish. The cooking time will depend on the ripeness and thickness of the plantain slices, but generally, they will need 8-14 minutes in the air fryer, with some recipes suggesting an additional 1-2 minutes at a higher temperature.

How to peel plantains for frying

Plantains are a popular ingredient in Caribbean cooking and can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. Although they look like bananas, they are harder to peel and require a sharp knife. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to peel plantains for frying:

Bring the Plantain to Room Temperature

Before you start peeling, it is recommended to bring the plantain to room temperature, especially if it has been stored in the refrigerator. The cold temperature can make it twice as hard to peel. You can soak the plantain in hot tap water for a few minutes to speed up the process.

Cut Off Both Ends of the Plantain

Place the plantain on a cutting board and cut off about 3/4 inch (2 cm) from each tip. This step is crucial as it will open up the ends of the plantain, making it easier to peel.

Score the Plantain Peel

Using a sharp paring knife, carefully make a slit along the length of the plantain, cutting through the peel but not into the flesh. Make sure you only cut as deep as the peel. You can also score the plantain again about an inch from the first cut, using the "corners" as a guide.

Separate the Peel from the Flesh

Now, use your fingers to gently separate and detach the peel from the plantain. Start from the cuts you made and work your way around the plantain. If needed, make additional cuts in the peel to help loosen it. The peel will come off in sections, and you may need to use the knife to remove any remaining pieces.

Remove Any Remnants of the Peel

Once the majority of the peel is removed, use your knife to carefully scrape off any remaining bits of peel stuck to the flesh. Don't worry if a few small chunks of the plantain come off in the process.

Cut the Plantain into Desired Shape

After your plantain is peeled, you can cut it into the desired shape for your recipe. For example, you can cut it into rounds to make tostones or patacones (twice-fried plantain chips), slice it lengthwise for tajadas (sweet and savoury fried plantain strips), or mash it and fry again for a Puerto Rican jibarito sandwich.

Tips:

• Ripe (yellow) plantains are easier to peel than unripe (green) plantains.
• Peeling plantains may stain your hands, so you may want to wear gloves or peel them under running water.
• If you're having trouble peeling, try soaking the plantain in hot water for a few minutes to soften the peel.

How to cut plantains for frying

Frying plantains is a popular way to cook this starchy fruit from the banana family. They are a staple in Caribbean and Latin American cuisines and can be served as a snack or a side dish.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Plantain

The first step is to choose ripe plantains. Ripe plantains will have yellow or black skin, and the darker the skin, the sweeter the fruit. If you can only find green, unripe plantains, you can let them ripen at home by leaving them on the counter for a few days until the skin turns yellow or black.

Step 2: Peeling the Plantain

To peel the plantain, start by cutting off both ends with a sharp knife. Then, cut a slit down the length of the plantain, being careful not to cut into the flesh. Remove the skin by peeling it away from the fruit. You may need to use your knife to loosen the skin from the flesh.

Step 3: Cutting the Plantain

Once your plantain is peeled, it's time to cut it into slices. Cut the plantain on a bias, at an angle, about 1/2-inch thick. Cutting the plantain at an angle will give you more surface area for caramelization and a crispier texture.

Step 4: Frying the Plantain

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. You only need enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan, as too much oil will result in soggy plantains. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the plantain slices in the pan, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry the plantains until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes on each side.

And that's it! You now have perfectly fried plantains that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve them as a snack or alongside your favourite Caribbean or Latin American dishes.

How to get crispy plantains in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 ripe plantains
• Oil (avocado, olive, or another high-heat oil)

Instructions

• First, make sure your plantains are ripe. They should be mostly black, with a small amount of yellow on the skin. Ripe plantains will be sweeter and softer.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
• Peel and slice your plantains into 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick pieces.
• Place the plantain slices into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not piled on top of each other.
• Spray or drizzle the plantains with oil. Use enough oil to coat the plantains well, as this will help seal in their moisture and make them crispy.
• Cook the plantains at 380°F for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• After 8 minutes, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Serve immediately. These plantains are best enjoyed fresh, with a crispy outside and soft middle.

Tips

• If your plantains are firm, you can toss them with oil and salt in a bowl before placing them in the air fryer.
• If your plantains are soft, you can spray oil directly into the air fryer basket or lightly grease the bottom of the basket before adding the plantains.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the plantains in batches.
• For a sweeter version, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the cooked plantains.

How to get sweet plantains in an air fryer

Sweet plantains, or 'Maduros', are an easy and healthy way to make this classic Latin side dish. They are similar to bananas but with more starch.

To get sweet plantains, you will need to use ripe plantains. The riper the plantain, the softer and sweeter your fried plantain will be. The best plantains for this are ones that have black skins and tender flesh. The darker the skin, the sweeter they are. You can also use black peel plantains, which will give the sweetest fried plantains. If your plantains are not ripe yet, you can let them ripen on the counter or somewhere warm. This can take anywhere from a few days to a week.

To cook sweet plantains in an air fryer, you will need to:

• Peel and slice your plantains.
• Place the plantain slices into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Spray the plantains with oil.
• Cook on 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes, flipping and spraying halfway through.
• Increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

You can also cook store-bought frozen plantains in the air fryer. For frozen plantains, place them in the air fryer basket and cook on 380 degrees for 12-14 minutes. You do not need to spray these with oil as they have usually been partially fried already.

Tips:

• Preheat the air fryer before cooking the plantain slices. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, let it run at 380F while you peel and cut the plantains.
• Depending on how thickly you cut the slices, the cooking times may vary.
• The air fryer temperature and time can be adjusted according to your preference for the softness and crispiness of the plantains.

How to store leftover fried plantains

Frying plantains in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to frying them in oil. But what do you do with your leftover fried plantains? Here are some tips on how to store them properly:

Storing Leftover Fried Plantains:

• Allow the fried plantains to cool down to room temperature.
• Place the cooled plantains in an airtight container. It's important to use an airtight container to prevent the plantains from drying out or absorbing other flavours in the fridge.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. Fried plantains can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Place the airtight container of plantains in the freezer, where they will last for up to 3 months.
• To reheat your fried plantains, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the plantains in a shallow baking pan and heat them in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until they are heated through.

Tips for Storing Fried Plantains:

• It is not recommended to store fried plantains at room temperature, as they will not last as long and may spoil more quickly.
• For longer-term storage, freezing is a great option. Fried plantains can be frozen for up to 3 months and still taste delicious when reheated.
• If you plan on storing your plantains in the fridge or freezer, it's best to slice them into smaller pieces before storing. This will make it easier to reheat them and use them in recipes.
• Label your container with the date, so you know when they were stored and can keep track of how long they've been in storage.
• When reheating fried plantains, ensure they are heated through. You may need to adjust the heating time depending on the portion size and the power of your oven.

Frequently asked questions