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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Sweet + Spicy Air Fryer Plantains

    Published: Mar 9, 2021 · Modified: Apr 27, 2021 by Rosa · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

    1.7K shares
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    Sweet & spicy air fryer plantains make a delicious side dish or starter. Tasty, with hints of sweet, tang and spice for a fabulous flavour combo and ready in less than 15 minutes, start to finish.

    White plate with air fried plantain chips inside.

    This recipe was originally published in July 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

    Plantains make a great snack for game day or movie night. Or serve them alongside your favourite burger, for a healthy alternative to fries.

    Why air fry plantains?

    For starters, it’s faster then baking and FAR healthier then frying. So you get the best of both worlds.

    Air fryer plantains are delicious and flavourful, without heating up your kitchen or making a big mess from frying on stove top.

    Hand holding up slice of air fried plantain over plate with additional slices.

    How to make them

    (This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    Gather your ingredients. Make sure to use plantains that are dull yellow with black spots for optimal ripeness.

    Ingredients to make air fryer plantains on brown deck.

    Peel and slice your plantain into ¼ inch thick slices. (photo 1)

    Combine all remaining ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. (photo 2)

    Add the sliced plantain to the bowl with the marinade and mix well to evenly coat each piece. (photos 3-4)

    Sliced plantain on cutting board and then transferred to bowl with marinade.

    Spray your fryer basket with cooking spray and then place the slices inside. Arrange in a single layer with space in between the slices for best results and even cooking. (photo 5)

    Air fry at 370 degrees for 4-5 minutes, or until the edges appear golden brown and then carefully flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. (photos 6-7)

    Plantain slices inside air fryer basket being cooked.

    Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime and enjoy.

    Plantain slices that have been air fried piled onto small white plate.

    Common Questions

    How to choose plantains?

    Similarly to bananas, plantains start off green and go through various stages of ripeness, from green, to yellow, to brown. For this recipe, use plantains that are yellow but spotted brown or black. These will be naturally sweeter and the level of ripeness you want for this dish.

    Are plantains healthy?

    Yes, absolutely. Plantains are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C and high in potassium. A great wholesome fruit, but less so if you’re deep frying them in oil or fat. So just use a light spray of oil on your fryer basket to keep this dish low fat.

    What’s the difference between bananas and plantains?

    Although they both come from the same family of plants and look similar too, they each have their own distinct flavour profile. Both are nutritious fruits for a great addition to a healthy diet. Plantains are more starchy and have less sugar, especially when green.

    Which air fryer should I use?

    Any fryer with a basket will work well for this recipe. We use and love our Ninja Foodi 8qt and find the basket is large enough to make these air fryer plantains in one batch. If you have a smaller basket, work in two batches for best results.

    Can I bake them if I don’t have a fryer?

    Yes, you can also make this recipe in your oven. Just preheat as directed below and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

    Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and evenly coat your plantain slices and arrange them in a single layer.

    marinated plantain chips on baking tray

    Bake for 15 minutes, then flip and bake another 5-10 minutes, until edges are golden brown and crispy.

    baked plantain chips on serving dish

    Expert Tips

    • Choose ripe plantains with dull yellow skins and plenty of black spots on them.
    • Make sure to arrange your plantain slices in a single layer with plenty of space in between, no matter which cooking method you choose. This will result in the best texture and crispy edges, and prevent the pieces from sticking together.
    • Handle the slices with care when flipping them, so you don’t squish them.

    More air fried recipes

    • Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
    • Air Fried Spaghetti Squash
    • Healthy Air Fried Eggplant
    • Air Fried Broccoli
    • Healthy Air Fried Mushrooms
    • Air Fried Hash Browns From Scratch

    If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

    Buon appetito,
    Rosa

    White plate with air fried plantain chips inside.

    Sweet + Spicy Air Fryer Plantains

    Sweet & spicy air fryer plantains make a delicious side dish or starter. Tasty, with hints of sweet, tang and spice for a fabulous flavour combo and ready in less than 15 minutes, start to finish.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: Caribbean, South American
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 124kcal

    Equipment

    Ninja Foodi appliance on white background.
    Ninja Foodi Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 large ripe plantain dull yellow with black spots
    • 1 teaspoon sriracha or hot sauce of choice
    • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    To Air Fry

    • Preheat your fryer to 370 degrees F and spray the bottom of your basket with cooking spray. Then combine all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
    • Peel and slice your plantains (about ¼" thick) and place them in the bowl with the marinade. Gently mix to evenly coat each slice.
    • Arrange the plantains in a single layer with plenty of space in between and air fry for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until edges are golden brown and crispy.

    To Bake

    • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F convection bake and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Then combine all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
    • Peel and slice your plantains (about ¼" thick) and place them in the bowl with the marinade. Gently mix to evenly coat each slice.
    • Arrange your plantains in a single layer on your tray and bake for 15 minutes. Then flip and bake for 5-10 more minutes longer, until edges are golden brown and crispy.

    Notes

    Choose ripe plantains with dull yellow skins and plenty of black spots on them.
    Make sure to arrange your plantain slices in a single layer with plenty of space in between, no matter which cooking method you choose. This will result in the best texture and crispy edges, and prevent the pieces from sticking together.
    Handle the slices with care when flipping them, so you don’t squish them.
    These plantains taste best when freshly made but you may keep leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge for 3-4 days.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1506IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
      DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Mention @this.healthy.kitchen on IG and tag #thishealthykitchen!
      *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.
      1.7K shares

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      1. Kiraly

        April 10, 2022 at 6:17 pm

        5 stars
        Very good! Great balance of sweet and a little spicy! Great snack!

        Reply
        • Rosa

          April 11, 2022 at 9:55 am

          Thrilled you enjoyed! Thanks for sharing.

          Reply
      2. Carol

        March 24, 2022 at 1:02 pm

        5 stars
        These were very tasty. I was going to eat a couple, and wound up eating a whole plantain! I’ll definitely make it again.

        Reply
        • Rosa

          March 25, 2022 at 8:59 am

          Thanks for sharing Carol! Glad you enjoyed. 🙂

          Reply
      3. Sandy

        June 22, 2021 at 11:19 pm

        5 stars
        These are delicious! This was my first time trying plantains, and we couldn’t stop eating them! Thank you for an easy, healthy, and tasty recipe!!!

        Reply
        • Rosa

          June 23, 2021 at 8:30 am

          Thrilled you enjoyed Sandy. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂

          Reply

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      Hi, I'm Rosa! Welcome to This Healthy Kitchen where you'll find tasty and nutritious, plant based recipes with tons of gluten free and oil free options too! Always made using wholesome ingredients, and under 400 calories per serving. Occasional cheat days included. 😉

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