Amazing and Easy Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)

Crispy and Sweet, these Baked Sweet Plantains are so incredibly tasty and a healthier version of the typically fried version. This is an easy and low-fat method to cook this amazing side dish that is traditional in Central America and the Caribbean. The plantains caramelize in the oven with just the right amount of crunch around the edges and tenderness in the middle … you won’t even know they are baked!

Plantains are starchy and versatile members of the banana family. We love to eat this delicious side with Chicken and Rice and Beans. Once you try this your kids will love them!

Why This Recipe Works?

• Crispy and Delicious.
• Simple recipe that takes minutes to prepare.
• Baked, not fried.
• Gluten-free.
• Uses just three ingredients.
• Kid Friendly.
• Perfect side dish for any protein.
• The Best Baked Sweet Plantain Recipe ever!!!

PICK YOUR PLANTAINS: Plantains are bananas’ cousin, though they never become as sugary or sweet as bananas. They do continue to ripen once picked and like bananas, the riper they get—the moister, tenderer, and sweeter they are. The green plantains are good for chips, tostones, mashed dumplings (mofongo) or soups – we will leave those recipes for another day.

First, we need to pick the the right plantains. You will find plantains in in your supermarket by the tropical or ethnic produce section. They are sold usually green or yellow. Since plantains are rarely sold fully brown or black, you will need to buy yellow plantains and leave them in a paper bag or on the countertop for a few days until the skin turns black, like in the picture above. Your plantains are ready when the skin is black and the fruit is soft but not too mushy.

Ingredients:

PREP: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray.

CUT AND PEEL: Plantains have a tougher skin than bananas, so you will have to cut off the ends and make a lengthwise slit through the peel with a knife before you strip off the peel with your hands and slice the meat. We find using a pairing knife to make the slits works best.

SLICE IT: We like slicing long strips, it’s our personal preference. You can also slice them on the bias into shorter diagonal strips. First, cut the plantain in half horizontally. Then, carefully cut each half into 3 or 4 length-wise strips.

INTO THE OVEN: Arrange on prepared baking sheet leaving a little space between each slice. Brush with olive oil, flip them over and brush again with remaining oil. Bake in the pre-heated 450 degree oven for 7-10 minutes; when the edges start to brown, flip them over. Bake for another 5-7 minutes, until plantains are golden brown and very tender. We bake these for a total of 15 minutes, but each oven is slightly different so be sure to keep an eyes on these guys, as they can burn very quickly due to their high sugar content. Once they’re out of the oven, season with salt and enjoy!

These baked sweet plantains are best enjoyed warm right out of the oven.

Other amazing side dishes you can try are our Creamy and Delicious Guacamole and Quick and Easy Roasted Okra.