Air Fryer Plantain Chips: A Quick, Easy, Healthy Treat

Air fryer plantain chips are a tasty, healthier alternative to potato chips. They can be made sweet or savoury, depending on your preference. The chips are made from green plantains, which are less sweet and maintain their texture better than ripe yellow or brown plantains. The plantains are thinly sliced and then air-fried until crispy. The chips can be seasoned with salt, cinnamon sugar, or other spices like cumin, coriander, or chilli flakes. Air fryer plantain chips are a great snack and can also be served with dips like salsa or guacamole.

Choosing the right plantain

Ripeness:

The ripeness of the plantain will determine whether your chips turn out sweet or savoury. Green plantains are unripe and have a starchy texture with less sweetness, making them ideal for savoury chips. If you're looking for a sweeter treat, go for yellow plantains with some black spots, as they are riper and have a softer, sweeter flavour.

Colour:

When selecting green plantains, look for a medium green colour. Avoid those that are turning yellow, as they will be sweeter and may not crisp up as well. For sweet plantain chips, choose yellow plantains with some black spots. The darker the colour, the sweeter the plantain will be.

Texture:

Green plantains have a firmer texture, making them easier to slice into thin, even slices. Yellow plantains are softer and can be more challenging to slice, so use a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer to achieve even slices.

Availability:

Plantains are available in most grocery stores, often near the bananas. However, if you can't find them, try a Latin American specialty store.

Storage:

Plantains continue to ripen after purchase, so use them within a few days if they are dark green or as soon as possible if they are lighter in colour.

Remember, the key to successful plantain chips is choosing the right ripeness and colour for your desired flavour and texture. Green plantains are best for savoury chips, while yellow plantains with black spots will give you sweet and crispy treats. Now you're ready to select the perfect plantains and make some delicious air-fried plantain chips!

Preparing the plantain

Choosing the Right Plantain:

Firstly, select the right plantain for the type of chip you want to make. Green plantains are ideal for savory, salty chips as they are less sweet and maintain their texture better. If you're making sweet plantain chips, opt for ripe, yellow plantains with black spots, as they will be softer and sweeter.

Peeling the Plantain:

Cut off both ends of the plantain and make a shallow lengthwise cut through the skin, being careful not to cut into the flesh. Then, use your thumb or a spoon to gently peel back and remove the skin. Green plantains have a tougher skin, so you may need to use a paring knife to help with the peeling process.

Soaking the Plantain (Optional):

If you want to remove any excess starch from your plantain, you can soak the peeled plantain in a bowl of water with a pinch of turmeric for about 30 minutes. After soaking, pat the plantain dry with a kitchen towel.

Slicing the Plantain:

For the best results, use a mandoline slicer to cut the plantain into thin, even slices, about 1/16 inch thick. If you don't have a mandoline, you can use a sharp knife or the thin slicing tool on your food processor, but achieving even slices will be more difficult. You can also cut the plantain in half before slicing to make it easier to handle.

Seasoning the Plantain (Optional):

Before placing the plantain slices in the air fryer, you can season them with a variety of spices. For a savory option, use salt and pepper, or experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, or chili flakes. If you're making sweet plantain chips, you can sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar or drizzle them with melted chocolate.

Arranging the Plantain in the Air Fryer:

Place the plantain slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. This allows for even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the plantain chips in multiple batches.

Seasoning the plantain

If you are watching your salt intake, you might want to skip the seasoning altogether as plantain chips are delicious as they are. However, if you want to add some flavour, you can sprinkle some salt on the chips. If you want to cut down on sodium, you can try adding your favourite spices to your plantain chips. This will give the chips a nuanced flavour without the need for salt. Some spices you can use are chilli flakes, cumin, and coriander. You can also try salt and vinegar, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or a bit of ancho chile pepper powder and fresh lime.

If you want to make sweet plantain chips, you can sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the chips or drizzle them with melted chocolate.

Air-frying the plantain

Now that you've got your plantain slices ready, it's time to air-fry them to perfection! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to around 350°F (175-180°C).
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil. This helps prevent sticking and adds a bit of extra crispness.
• Arrange the plantain slices: Place the plantain slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they don't overlap, as this can affect even cooking and crispness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Air-fry the plantain slices: Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 6-10 minutes. For crispier chips, go for the longer cooking time.
• Flip the slices: Use tongs to carefully flip each slice over. This ensures even cooking on both sides.
• Continue air-frying: After flipping, cook the plantain slices for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn easily.
• Season and serve: Remove the plantain chips from the air fryer and season them as desired. For savory chips, a sprinkle of salt is a classic choice. For sweet chips, try tossing them with cinnamon-sugar while they're still warm. Enjoy your homemade plantain chips!

A few additional tips for air-frying plantain chips:

• Thickness matters: The thickness of your plantain slices will affect the cooking time and crispness. Thinner slices will cook faster and become crispier.
• Don't overcrowd the basket: It's important to give the plantain slices some space in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the chips from getting nice and crispy.
• Experiment with seasonings: While salt is a traditional choice, feel free to get creative with your seasonings. Try chili flakes, cumin, coriander, Cajun seasoning, or even cinnamon-sugar for a sweet treat.

Storing the plantain chips

Storing Plantain Chips:

• Cooling: Allow the plantain chips to cool completely before storing them. They will continue to crisp up as they cool, so be patient!
• Air-tight container: Place the cooled plantain chips in an airtight container, such as a sealed jar or a Ziploc bag. This will help keep them fresh and crispy.
• Paper towels: To maintain crispiness, store the plantain chips between layers of paper towels. The paper towels will absorb any excess moisture and help keep the chips from becoming soggy.
• Room temperature: Store the plantain chips at room temperature. They should be fine for up to 3 weeks if stored properly.
• Refrigeration: If you want to extend the shelf life of the plantain chips, you can store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and crispy for a bit longer.
• Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze plantain chips as they may not retain their crispiness. However, if you do choose to freeze them, use an airtight container and thaw them completely before consuming.
• Moisture control: Keep the plantain chips away from moisture. If they come into contact with moisture, they may become soggy and lose their crisp texture.
• Re-crisping: If your plantain chips lose their crispiness over time, you can place them back in the air fryer or oven at a low temperature (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for a few minutes to re-crisp them.
• Consumption time: For the best taste and texture, it is recommended to consume the plantain chips within a few days of preparation. The longer they are stored, the more likely they are to lose their crispiness.

Frequently asked questions