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Home » Sides » Perfect One-Ingredient Plantains (OIL FREE)

Perfect One-Ingredient Plantains (OIL FREE)

Published: Jan 6, 2022 · Modified: Sep 12, 2022 by Gigi & Sersie

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This Perfect One-Ingredient Plantains recipe is oil-free and will become your go-to favorite to enhance your Buddha bowl (like the Best Blessed Black Bean Beauty Bowl), Easy Cuban Black Beans, Veggie Chili, as a snack, or even dessert. These air fried plantains take only 20 minutes to prepare.

top view of a plate of oil free plantains cooked in an air fryer sitting on a light green plate against a wood surface. A perfectly ripe plantain positioned above the plate of cooked plantain.

I love plantains!! Growing up in a Caribbean home, plantains were always a staple in our household. It was the sidekick to almost every dish. As a little girl, my siblings and I would always get excited when plantains were on the menu.

Looking back at how we prepared them, I see that frying them in oil wasn’t a healthy choice. This is why I am so excited about these air fried plantains! Simple and fast these air-fried plantains keep their crispy exterior especially around the edges while remaining soft and sweet on the inside. 

Air-fried plantains make the perfect side dish for almost any meal.  The great thing is you only need a few pieces to elevate your dish by adding a splash of sweetness. Frankly, they are also enjoyable on their own.

As the title so clearly states, this recipe has just one ingredient: plantain. More specifically, a ripe plantain.

How to Prepare

  1. First and foremost, select a ripe plantain. There are different levels of ripeness: the more black spots, the riper and sweeter the plantain. Select the one that works for what you want to cook.
  2. Carefully cut both ends of the plantain.
  3. Take a sharp knife and cut a slit from one end of the plantain to the other. Be sure to keep your fingers away from the blade.
  4. Peel and slice the plantain.
  5. Arrange the pieces in the air fryer basket.
  6. Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
top view close up of three ripe plantains stacked on top of each other against a gray background
Select the right plantain for what you want to cook. This plantain is very ripe and sweet.
a ripe plantain being trimmed with a knife on a wooden cutting board
Trim both ends of the plantain.
a ripe plantain being held in one hand and a knife in the other cutting a slit for peeling
Carefully cut a slit from one end to the other.
a ripe plantain being peeled
Peel the plantain.
a plantain that has been cut at an angle into slices
Slice the plantain.
the ripe uncooked plantain slices that have been arranged in an air fryer basket
Arrange the plantain in the air fryer basket or parchment lined baking sheet (for oven-baking).
cooked plantain slices in the air fryer basket
Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Ways to Eat Plantains

Plantains can be eaten in a variety of ways and at every stage of its ripeness. The flavor will vary but the deliciousness remains the same.

Green Plantains are not sweet and have a neutral flavor and dryer texture. You can grate green plantains and make a creamy porridge or pound flat to make tasty tostones. 

Ripe plantains can also be eaten boiled, this is a great substitute side dish instead of rice or potatoes.

Baking is another way to prepare plantains. The results will leave you with plantains that are juicy and golden brown without the crispiness.

Season them with your favorite seasonings.

Slice them thinly and air fry them to make the perfect plantain chip. Dip with Garlic Hummus for the win. I hope you add a slice or two to your next dish you won’t regret it.

top view close up of a plate of cooked plantain slices on a light green plate with a fork on the side
air fried plantains can also be enjoyed as a snack!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are plantains and bananas the same thing?

Plantains are related to the banana family and look very similar at a glance; for this reason, plantains are often mistaken for bananas. However, the two are very different. Plantains have a tougher skin and are much harder to peel. The texture of the plantain is denser than a banana and is usually much thicker and larger than your average banana. Plantains also have a longer ripening process than a banana. Even though plantains are fruit, they are enjoyed as a starchy vegetable and have a similar taste to yams or potatoes than a banana. Unlike bananas, plantains are almost always eaten cooked. Plantains are very popular in the Caribbean, Latin America, and African cuisine.

Are plantains healthy?

Yes! Not only are plantains delicious, but they are also a great source of fiber, Vitamins A, C, and B-6, and are sources of magnesium and potassium. The key to keeping plantains in their most healthy state is to avoid frying them in oil. Air frying your plantains allows you to have the best of both worlds, both taste and nutritional value.

How do you choose a ripe plantain?

The key to choosing a ripe plantain is to focus on the color. When the plantain is predominantly dark yellow with streaks of black, you most likely have the perfect ripe plantain. Many consider this the sweet spot. The darker the plantain, the sweeter and softer the texture. This soft and sweet texture is best used in dessert dishes. The photo below shows three plantains with varying degrees of ripeness.top view of three plantains of varying degrees of ripeness against a white surface

We hope you love this oil-free air fryer plantains recipe. Please rate and leave a comment below. Be sure to share a picture on Instagram and tag us @danielsplaterecipes so we can see our creation!

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top view close up of air fryer plantains on a green plate with fork on the side

Perfect One-Ingredient Plantains (OIL FREE)


★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Gigi & Sersie
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This Perfect One-Ingredient Plantains recipe is oil-free and will become your go-to favorite to enhance your Buddha bowl (like the Best Blessed Black Bean Beauty Bowl), Veggie Chili, as a snack, or even dessert. #plantainsrecipe #ripeplantains #healthyveganrecipes #plantainsairfyer #danielfastrecipes #airfyerrecipes


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ripe plantain

Instructions

  1. Select a ripe plantain.
  2. Carefully cut both ends of the plantain.
  3. Take a sharp knife and cut a slit from one end of the plantain to the other. Be sure to keep your fingers away from the blade.
  4. Peel and slice the plantain into chunks.
  5. Arrange the pieces in the air fryer basket. 
  6. Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

(Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange sliced plantains on a parchment- or silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown).

Notes

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES

  1. Knife
  2. Cutting board
  3. Air fryer (if cooking in the oven, you'll need a baking sheet and parchment paper or silicone baking mat)
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Sides
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: Caribbean

Keywords: plantains recipe, airfried plantains, airfyer plantains, air fryer plantains recipe, starchy vegetable, ripe plantains recipe, daniel fast recipes, vegan recipes, easy plantains, no oil, oil free, gluten free, soy free, nut free

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Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pauline

    January 09, 2022 at 9:35 pm

    This is a true calorie saver with the same great taste as fried in oil. The essential thing is to select a very ripe plantain.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Gigi & Sersie

      January 11, 2022 at 9:20 pm

      Pauline - I'm so glad you shared this. We've often only had plantains fried in oil, but with the air fryer (or oven), you don't need it. The true taste of this beautiful fruit shines through. Thank you so much for your feedback. We appreciate you.

      Reply
  2. Sharyn

    January 30, 2023 at 8:53 pm

    Thank you are very thoughtful with your recipe instructions. I appreciate you all for that. Can’t wait to purchase and air fry my plantains.🤗

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Gigi & Sersie

      February 01, 2023 at 3:04 pm

      Thank you, Sharyn. We recently posted a banana chips recipe using green bananas you might be interested in. Of course, you can substitute green plantains, but green bananas are usually easier to peel and available in most grocery stores. 🙂

      Reply

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