Kelewele

Kelewele is a beloved Ghanaian street food made with ripe plantains coated in a bold mixture of ginger, pepper, garlic, and warming spices. Since we love our air fryer plantains, it was a must to create this oil-free version.

Why You'll Love This Kelewele Recipe

• Sweet, spicy, and savory: Ripe plantains balance the heat of cayenne with the warmth of ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper.
• No oil required: The air fryer caramelizes the plantains without the oil traditionally used for deep-frying.
• Simple ingredients: You only need ripe plantains, a few spices, and basic pantry seasonings.
• Quick to prepare: After a short marinating time, the plantains cook in about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Easy to customize: Reduce the cayenne for milder plantains or add more for a fiery kick.
• Naturally plant-based: This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and made with whole plant food ingredients.
• Perfect for entertaining: Kelewele makes a colorful, flavorful appetizer that is far more exciting than the usual bowl of chips.

Jump to recipe

During my trip to Ghana, I was eating kelewele on the regular. Everywhere we went, the aroma of sweet, spicy plantains filled the air, and after my first bite, I completely understood why it's such a beloved Ghanaian street food.

Traditional kelewele is deep-fried until sweet, caramelized, and crispy around the edges. This easy air fryer kelewele recipe delivers those irresistible sweet-and-spicy flavors without added oil.

The ripe plantains become tender and creamy inside while the air fryer creates beautifully browned, slightly crispy edges. Ginger, cayenne, cloves, nutmeg, garlic, and white pepper give every bite a warm, fragrant kick. Serve this Ghanaian-spiced plantain dish as a snack, appetizer, side dish, or a flavorful addition to a plant-based bowl.

Key Ingredients

1. Ripe plantains become soft and creamy inside while their natural sugars caramelize in the air fryer. The plantains should be yellow with several black spots. The dark spots show that the plantains have ripened and developed the sweetness needed for kelewele.
2. Ginger paste, a defining flavor of Ghanaian kelewele, adds fresh, peppery warmth that cuts through the sweetness of the plantains and helps the dry spices cling to each piece.

A full list of ingredients with exact amounts is available in the recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

• Ginger: Freshly grated ginger can be used when ginger paste is unavailable.
• Garlic: Freshly grated garlic cloves can be used when garlic paste is unavailable.
• Pepper: Both black and white pepper work with this dish.
• Heat: Adjust the heat level up or down with the amount of cayenne pepper you use.
• Spice variations: Some versions of kelewele may use onion, cinnamon, anise, and paprika.
• No air fryer: Oven-baked on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.

How to Make Kelewele

Step 1

Using ripe plantains that are yellow with black spots, peel and cut into cubes.

Step 2

In a bowl, mix ginger paste, garlic paste, and dried seasonings. Stir until combined.

Step 3

Toss plantains in the spice paste until well coated. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to marinate.

Step 4

Add coated and marinated plantain cubes to an air fryer basket and cook at 390°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Step 5

The kelewele is done cooking when it's golden brown with slightly crispy edges. Enjoy immediately!

Expert Tips

• Choose the right plantains. Green plantains will not provide the same sweetness. If they're too ripe, they won't hold their shape, and they'll be mushy.
• Keep the plantain chunks similar in size. Smaller pieces cook and caramelize more quickly, while larger chunks remain softer inside.
• Ripe plantains contain natural sugars that can go from caramelized to burned quickly. Begin checking around the 15-minute mark, especially if your plantains are very ripe.
• Kelewele has its best texture shortly after cooking. The edges gradually soften as the plantains cool, although the flavor remains delicious.

Serving Suggestions

Kelewele is commonly enjoyed as street food in Ghana, either on its own as a snack or as a side with beans, rice, stew, or groundnuts.

Consider pairing this air fryer kelewele with our Cuban Black Beans and brown rice. The savory beans provide a delicious contrast to the sweet, caramelized kelewele. Just add a side of our Sauteed Kale and Mushrooms and you have a complete, well-balanced and delicious meal.

Serve a few pieces of kelewele alongside a warm bowl of Veggie Chili. The sweetness of the plantains helps balance the tomatoes, beans, jalapeño, and chili spices.

You can also keep this Africa-inspired by pairing this with our Muriwo Unedovi (peanut butter greens), a traditional Zimbabwean dish that combines a leafy green vegetable with a peanut butter sauce.

Air Fryer Kelewele FAQs

This air fryer kelewele recipe is proof that you can honor a culture's rich flavors and traditions while making small adjustments that support your health goals. I hope this recipe brings a little taste of Ghana into your kitchen and inspires you to enjoy nourishing food without sacrificing incredible flavor.

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