23 Simple Plantain Recipes That Are Anything But Simple!

Whether plantain has been a staple cooking ingredient in your kitchen for years and you’re simply in need of some new recipes to try out at home, or you’ve recently tried plantain at a local restaurant and want to begin cooking with your own fried plantain – you’ve come to the right blog post.

Even though many people can be put off by the starchiness of this cooking banana, plantain is an extremely versatile fruit that can be described as almost being a mix between a standard banana and a sweet potato.

Thanks to this, it means that plantain can be used in a variety of different ways, including in both sweet and savory recipes.

And this is where we come in to help! In this post, we are going to be sharing with you some of the best plantain recipes that you should try out.

From hearty dishes all the way to lighter snacks, these following recipes are simple to prepare and big on flavor, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. 

Read on!

1. Plantain Fufu

Kicking our list off, we have selected plantain fufu. While this isn’t an overly well known dish, plantain fufu is super delicious and consists of blended green plantains that have been pre-cooked.

Plantain fufu is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes including soup and curry, although it can be enjoyed just as well on its own as a snack in between meals.

2. Plantain Bread

If you’re sick and tired of plain old banana bread, why not consider trying out this delicious recipe?

Plantain bread is very similar to banana bread, although the taste is slightly less sweet which makes it more of a suitable option for those wanting a subtle hint of banana.

Still, thanks to the inclusion of vanilla and sugar, plantain bread is yummy and warming, and is ideal for eating as a snack, or even pairing with chocolate and caramel.

3. Plantain Tacos

As we have already mentioned above, plantain is a very versatile cooking banana! So much so that it can even be added into tacos as you can see from this spicy black bean taco recipe.

For the best flavor, you’ll need to use ripe plantains in this recipe which will then be enhanced by fiery cayenne seasoning… just perfect for those wanting a non-meatless taco option!

4. Tropical Avocado And Plantain Salad

If you want to create an authentic plantain dish that will make you feel as though you’ve just jetted off to the islands, you’ll be making a great choice to prepare this avocado and plantain salad.

In order to make this recipe right, you’re going to need to make sure that you’re using ripened bananas, so make sure that you’re giving your plantain enough time to become ripe if you are planning on entertaining.

It’s a great alternative to potato salad, and is a lot lighter than it, too!

5. Empanadas De Platano Maduro

Translating to ripe plantain empanadas with cheese, this recipe adds a classic twist to empanadas and elevates them with yummy plantains.

This recipe is super easy to prepare and ideal for those who don’t have a lot of time to spare, and can even be enhanced with a few sprinkles of cheese. 

6. Sweet Plantain Gnocchi

As we have already mentioned above, plantain, despite being a banana, has a very similar texture to that of sweet potato.

Thanks to this, it means that despite being a great addition to sweet recipes, plantain can also work with a variety of savory dishes too, including this sweet plantain gnocchi and garlic brown butter recipe!

7. Simple Plantain Tortillas

Who doesn’t love tortillas? If you’re looking for a way to spice up your weekday, evening meals – these simply plantain tortillas are healthy, simple to make and ideal for all the family to enjoy. 

8. Mashed Plantains

If you’re not the type of person who enjoys the creaminess of mash made with regular potatoes, this mashed plantain recipe is a fantastic alternative.

It’s velvety and smooth, but doesn’t feature the same creamy taste that you get from making mash with potatoes. However, you do have the option of adding in a few dollops of butter into the mixture if you’d like to give it a creamier texture.

9. Sweet Plantain Lasagna

Even though traditional lasagna can sometimes be made with zucchini instead of beef mince, an alternative that you might not be aware of is plantain!

In this lasagna recipe, plantain has been added to the recipe to give it a heartier and more flavorful texture. You can even add BBQ sauce to give the plantain a tangier taste!

10. Caramelized Coconut And Sugared Plantains

Got a sweet tooth or cooking for some that does? This caramelized coconut and sugared plantains is just what you’re looking for!

This deliciously scrumptious recipe is perfect for those wanting to curb their sweet cravings without being too unhealthy, and can be paired with vanilla ice cream if you want to really treat yourself. 

11. Baked Plantain

Do you ever find yourself craving a mixture of both savory and sweet foods? If you do, then we think that you’ll love this baked plantain recipe.

It’s super simple to follow and will only require you to chop up your ripened plantain and then bake them in the oven. After that, you’ll then be free to customize your baked plantain in whatever way you like!

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, your baked plantain chips can be dipped into chocolate, and if you’re in the mood for something a little saltier, you can sprinkle your baked plantain with sea salt.

12. Fried Plantain

Unlike the recipe we have mentioned above which bakes plantain, this recipe fries them instead. Unlike baked plantain which is thick and typically chewy, fried plantain is crisp and often a little more tender.

13. Plantain Nachos!

If you don’t have any tortilla chips to hand, plantain is a great alternative.

Offering a far healthier alternative to tortilla chips, green plantain can be baked to achieve a similar texture to chips, and the best part? They’re a lot healthier than tortilla chips!

14. Plantain Mofongo

A traditional Puerto Rican dish, plantain mofongo is a mixture of green plantains, pork rinds and a generous amount of garlic.

It’s often eaten by itself, but you can quite easily enhance this delicious dish with plantain dumplings or even soup.

15. Chocolate Plantain Cookies

Who doesn’t love cookies? Even though traditional cookies are delicious and yummy, they’re not the healthiest of food choices out there!

These plantain cookies are dairy, egg and , grain and gluten-free – so they’re a much healthier option! Even though they don’t taste exactly the same as traditional cookies, they’re still delicious and feature an almost fudge-like texture. 

16. Plantain Brownies

If you’re in the mood to prepare some delicious, healthy green plantain into a dessert dish – then why don’t you consider preparing some plantain brownies?

This recipe is super healthy but still offers plenty of chocolatey-goodness. These healthy brownies are also suitable for vegans!

17. Plantain Muffins

If you’re craving some muffins but you still want to be healthy, these plantain muffins are just the ticket for your sweet cravings. These decadent muffins are scrumptious and moist in texture, without being too sweet.

You also have the option of elevating the taste of these plantain muffins with whatever toppings that you might like to add, such as chocolate drizzling, pecan nuts or even lemon drizzle.

18. Salty Tostones

Golden brown in appearance and crispy in texture, there aren’t too many foods out there that are as delicious as salty tostones!

Once prepared, salty tostones can be dipped into a variety of different sauces, although many people find that salty tostones pair best with BBQ sauce due to the tanginess.

They are an excellent alternative to onion rings and can be added to a variety of different dishes as a versatile and tasty accompaniment.

19. Caribbean Plantain Curry

Even though curry is typically associated with Asian cuisine, the Caribbean is also home to a variety of delicious curry dishes – and this Caribbean plantain curry recipe is sure to become a firm favorite in your household!

20. Plantain Stew

Packing plenty of flavor and super hearty, plantain stew is perfect for the winter months, or for those evenings when you want a dish that’s going to warm you from the inside out.

This recipe is super simple to make and can be enhanced with a variety of different spices and additional ingredients.

21. Sweet Plantain Hash And Eggs

If you’re a big fan of breakfast foods, you’re sure to love this sweet plantain hash and eggs recipe.

Instead of preparing eggs and hash potatoes, this recipe swaps out regular potatoes for plantain, which is a far healthier alternative but still just as tasty!

22. Plantain And Bean Burgers

If you’re in the mood for burgers but want to keep things healthy, then why don’t you consider making these delicious plantain and bean burgers?

Packing plenty of flavor, these burgers consist of black beans, spices and lots of plantain, and is perfect if you’re on the search for a plant-based alternative to a regular burger. It’s the perfect evening meal after a long day at work!

23. Rainbow Salad And Plantain Chips

Last but certainly not least, our final plantain recipe that we have decided to include in our recipe roundup is this rainbow salad and plantain chips dish! Sweet and simple, this colorful recipe elevates a regular salad bowl with salty plantain chips!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Plantain Go Well With?

Planning on eating plantain? The good news is that plantain is extremely versatile and pairs well with a variety of different foods, which you can easily see from the roundup of top plantain recipes that we have shared with you above.

Still, if you’re the type of person that enjoys sweet and savory food and you’re in need of some cooking inspiration, then we recommend pairing your fried plantain with some beans (fried plantain pairs especially well with black beans).

But if you’re in the mood for something a little heartier, fried plantain and rice is a great combination to serve up.

In particular, one of the most common dishes plantain features in is Puerto Rican Arroz Con Gandules, which translates to rice with pigeon peas.

Not only is it filling and nutritious, but it will also allow you to serve up an authentic plantain dish that will transport you and your dinner guests or family to the islands. 

What Are The Disadvantages Of Eating Plantain?

Even though there aren’t many disadvantages of eating plantain as it’s healthy and full to the brim with nutrients (not to mention, tasting super yummy) if too much is consumed in one sitting it has been shown that plantain can sometimes cause low blood pressure.

This means that plantain might not be the best option for those who suffer from low blood pressure.

In addition to this, it should also be noted that plantain, when applied to skin, can sometimes cause allergic reactions which is something to keep in mind if you plan on cooking with it.

What Is The Healthiest Way To Eat Plantains?

There are plenty of different ways that you can healthily enjoy plantains.

Even though they need to be fried in order to eat them, fried plantain can be added to a variety of different foods including soups, as an addition to a rice dish or even added to scrambled eggs.

The best part about plantains is that they can be enjoyed at any time of the day – whether it be at breakfast or in the evening.

What Can I Do With My Ripe Plantain?

If you have some ripe plantain that you’d like to eat but you’re not sure what to do with them – rest assured that there are plenty of ways that you can prepare them in various ways (as you will have seen from our recipe roundup above).

Still, if you are in need of some inspiration, ripe plantains taste especially good when used in a traditional banana bread recipe in place of bananas as ripe plantain is soft and easy to mash. 

Keep in mind that you also have the option of eating your fried, ripe plantain on its own! Fried plantain has a sweet and chewy texture that many people enjoy to eat as a snack throughout the day in between meals.

What Ways Can Plantain Be Cooked?

Even though plantain can’t be eaten raw as it is a cooking banana, the good news is that there are plenty of different ways that it can be prepared!

Completely versatile, plantain can be mashed, fried, baked or even boiled, which means that it can be incorporated into a variety of different recipes including both savory and sweet.

Wrapping Up

Now, over to you! Now that you have taken the time to read through our post.

We hope that you can see just how versatile this delicious cooking banana is – as well as how easy it is to prepare some authentic fried plantain dishes that are sure to transport you to the islands!

Before you click off this post, why don’t you consider giving this page a bookmark?

That way, if you’d ever like to come back and get some inspiration for new fried plantain recipes to try, you’ll know exactly where to find us. Thank you for reading!