Kelewele
This delicious air fryer kelewele captures the warm ginger, garlic, and peppery flavors of the traditional deep fried version, but without the oil.
Servings: 4
Calories: 173kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large plantains, ripe (peeled and chopped)
- 1 Tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use less for milder version)
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon white or black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (use ½ for a reduced sodium version)
Instructions
- Using ripe plantains that are yellow with black spots, peel and cut into cubes.
- In a bowl, mix ginger paste, garlic paste, and dried seasonings. Stir until combined.
- Toss plantains in the spice paste until well coated. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- 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.
- The kelewele is done cooking when it's golden brown with slightly crispy edges. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- 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.
- No air fryer? Oven-baked on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven.
Nutrition
Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 590mg | Potassium: 675mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 1726IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
