Air-Fryer Maduros: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Maduros, or sweet plantains, are a classic Latin side dish. They are a healthier alternative to frying as they require less oil and are vegan, gluten-free, paleo and whole30-approved. The riper the plantain, the sweeter it will be. To make maduros in an air fryer, slice the plantains, add oil, and air fry for around 10 minutes.

Choosing the right plantain

• Ripeness: Look for plantains that are ripe, with bright yellow peels and a slight orangish tinge. Ripe plantains will have darker skins, ranging from yellow with black spots to almost completely black. The darker the skin, the sweeter the plantain. If you can only find unripe green plantains, you can let them ripen on the counter or in a warm place. It usually takes a few days to a week for plantains to ripen.
• Texture: Platanos maduros should be soft and easy to peel. Avoid plantains that are too mushy or have a lot of black spots, as they tend to be overripe.
• Size: Select plantains that are large or medium in size. This will ensure that you have enough slices for your air fryer and that they cook evenly.
• Source: Try to find a specialty market in areas with a large Latin American or African population. These stores often carry ripe plantains, saving you the time of ripening them at home.

Remember, the key to choosing the right plantain for maduros is finding one that is ripe, soft, and has a yellow to dark peel. With the right plantain, you'll be well on your way to making delicious air-fried maduros!

Preparing the plantain

To prepare the plantain, start by cutting off about half an inch from both ends of the fruit. Then, using a sharp paring knife, carefully cut a slit along the length of the peel. Peel away the skin and discard it.

The ripeness of the plantain will determine the sweetness of your maduros. For sweet maduros, choose plantains with black skin and tender flesh. The darker the skin, the sweeter the plantain. If you can only find green, yellow, or partially ripened plantains, let them ripen on the counter until the skin turns black. This can take anywhere from a few days to a week.

Once your plantains are ripe, cut them into slices or chunks. The size and shape of the pieces will depend on your preference. Some people cut the plantains into 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices, while others cut them into chunks or cubes.

After cutting the plantain, you may want to toss the pieces with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or any other cooking oil of your choice. This step will help the plantains cook evenly and give them a crispy texture.

Now your plantain is ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Cooking the plantain

To make maduros in an air fryer, you will need ripe plantains. The ripeness of the plantain will determine the flavour of your maduros. The darker the skin, the sweeter the plantain will be. For sweet maduros, the best plantains are those with black skins and tender flesh.

You can buy yellow plantains and allow them to ripen at home. The minimum level of ripeness you should accept is a yellow plantain with black spots, but the blacker the better. You can speed up the ripening process by leaving the plantain somewhere warm. It can take anywhere from a few days to a week for a plantain to ripen.

Once you have a ripe plantain, you need to peel it. First, cut off the ends of the plantain. Then, using a paring knife, cut a slit along the length of the peel. You can now carefully remove the skin.

Next, cut the plantain into slices. The slices should be around 1/2-inch thick. You can cut the plantain straight or on the diagonal. The number of slices you get from each plantain will depend on how thick you cut the slices. You will get around 12 slices from one large plantain.

Now you are ready to cook the plantain. Place the slices in the air fryer, making sure they are in a single layer so the air can circulate around them. Spray the plantain slices with oil. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or ghee.

Set the air fryer to 380-400°F and cook the plantain for 10-12 minutes, turning the slices over halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the ripeness and thickness of the slices. The platanos are done when their edges are deep brown and the surfaces are golden brown.

Once the plantain slices are cooked, sprinkle them with salt. This will bring out the sweetness of the plantain. You can also sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top to make the maduros even sweeter.

Tips

• Oil your air fryer tray well to prevent the plantain slices from sticking.
• If the plantain slices are sticking to the tray, allow them to cool for a couple of minutes before trying to remove them.
• If you are not serving the maduros straight away, turn the air fryer off and leave the door open to let it cool down. Then return the tray to the air fryer to keep the maduros warm.
• Maduros are best served hot or at room temperature. Cold maduros are not as tasty.
• Maduros don't reheat well, so it's best to eat them all in one go!

Storing cooked plantain

If you want to store uncooked plantain, it's best to keep them at room temperature in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. They will stay fresh for a few days this way. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. First, peel and slice the plantains, then lay them on a silicone-lined baking mat and freeze them uncovered until they are solid. Then, transfer the frozen plantain slices to a freezer storage bag and keep them for up to two months.

To store ripe and unripe plantains, it's best to keep them separately as ripe plantains produce more ethylene gas, which will speed up the ripening process of the unripe plantains.

Serving suggestions

Maduros are a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Side Dish

Maduros are a classic Latin side dish and go well with Latin dishes such as Picadillo, Carne Bistec, Cuban Yoca Con Mojo, or Arroz Blanco with Habichuelas Guisadas. They also pair nicely with pork, chicken, or steak. For breakfast, they can be served with fried eggs, bacon, or spam.

As a Snack

Maduros can be served as a tasty snack on their own or with a dip. They are a great option for a hungry crowd and are sure to be a treat.

With Other Caribbean or African Dishes

Maduros are a popular side dish in Caribbean and African cuisines and can be served with a variety of dishes from these regions. They go well with Caribbean rice and beans and are a great addition to any meal.

With Cinnamon and Sugar

For a sweeter version, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the maduros. This variation is perfect for serving with dessert.

With Cheese

For an indulgent treat, add some melted cheese on top of the maduros. Shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, or Oaxaca cheese would pair well with the sweet plantains.

With Salt

Sprinkling some sea salt or kosher salt on the maduros brings out their sweetness and brightens their flavor. Salting them right after they come out of the air fryer gives the salt something to stick to.

Frequently asked questions