Plantain in the Air Fryer
Fried plantain is usually a pan of hot oil and a lot of spitting, but plantains air fryer style need only a teaspoon or two of oil and about 12 minutes. Ripe, yellow-black plantains turn sticky, sweet and caramelised at the edges, while green ones become crisp chips or tostones. This page covers both, with times for each stage of ripeness.
- Temperature
- 200°C
- Total time
- 20min
- Prep
- 8min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 180kcal
Why the air fryer works for plantains
Plantains air fryer style work well because plantain is naturally starchy and sugary, and those sugars are exactly what the air fryer's dry, hot air caramelises. Ripe plantains turn dark gold and sticky at the edges while the inside becomes soft and custard-like, much like fried sweet plantain (dodo in West Africa, maduros in the Caribbean), but with a fraction of the oil.
The ripeness decides everything. Yellow plantains with plenty of black spots are sweet and soft; yellow with a few spots sit in the middle; fully green plantains are starchy and savoury, better for chips and tostones. Plantain in air fryer baskets cooks in around 12 minutes, so it is one of the quickest side dishes you can make.
How to make plantains in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Peel the plantains Cut off both ends, make a shallow slit along the length of the skin and peel it away with your thumb. Ripe plantains peel easily, but green ones need a knife.
- Slice Cut the plantains on a slant into slices about 1.5 cm thick. Thinner slices burn at the edges before the middle softens.
- Season Toss the slices in a bowl with the oil, salt and cinnamon, if using, until lightly coated.
- Cook Preheat the air fryer to 200 °C for . Lay the slices in a single layer and cook for , turning them over after , until golden brown, soft in the middle and sticky at the edges.
- Serve Sprinkle with a pinch more salt and squeeze over lime. Eat while hot, as the edges soften as they cool.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Plantain | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe plantain slices, 1.5 cmTurn halfway | 200 °C | 10–12 min |
| Green plantain chips, thinShake often | 180 °C | 12–15 min |
| Tostones (twice cooked)Flatten between cooks | 190 °C | 8 min + 5 min |
| Whole ripe plantain | 180 °C | 20–25 min |
| Frozen plantain slices | 200 °C | 12–15 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Pick the right ripeness. For sweet, sticky slices, use plantains with black spots. For crisp chips or tostones, use green ones and cut them thinly.
- Peel green plantains with a knife. Their skin is tough. Slit it lengthways, then prise it off in strips.
- Do not overcrowd. Slices that touch will steam rather than brown. Cook in two batches if needed.
Serving
Serve sweet plantain with jollof or coconut rice and chicken, as a side for Caribbean-style jerk dishes, or simply with a squeeze of lime as a snack. Alongside chicken thighs and a green salad it makes a balanced supper, and it works well next to sweet potatoes. Cooking plantains in the air fryer is quick enough to do while the main dish rests. For other timings see the air fryer cooking times chart.
Storing and reheating
Cooked plantain keeps for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge, though the texture is best on the day. To reheat, put the slices in the air fryer at 180 °C for 3–4 minutes, until hot and slightly crisp again. Raw, peeled plantain browns quickly, so slice it just before cooking.
Variations
- Tostones: Cook thick slices of green plantain at 190 °C for 8 minutes, flatten each with the bottom of a glass, brush with oil and cook for 5 minutes more. Season with salt and garlic.
- Plantain chips: Slice green plantain very thinly, toss with a little oil and salt, and cook at 180 °C for 12–15 minutes, shaking every 4 minutes.
- Spiced Nigerian style: Toss ripe slices with ½ tsp chilli flakes, ½ tsp ground ginger and a pinch of salt before cooking for a savoury-sweet snack.
Troubleshooting
- The plantain slices are pale and soft
- The plantains were underripe or the basket was crowded. Choose fruit with plenty of black spots for sweet slices, and cook in a single layer with a thin coating of oil.
- The edges burn before the middle is soft
- The slices are too thin or the heat is too high. Cut them 1.5 cm thick and drop to 190 °C if your machine runs hot.
- The slices stick to the basket
- The natural sugars caramelise onto the metal. Brush the basket with oil and loosen the slices with a spatula after 6 minutes rather than pulling them.
Frequently asked questions
How long do plantains take in the air fryer?
Ripe plantain slices of 1.5 cm take 10–12 minutes at 200 °C. Thin green plantain chips take 12–15 minutes at 180 °C and need shaking a few times.
Can you cook whole plantain in the air fryer?
Yes. Prick a ripe, unpeeled plantain a few times and cook at 180 °C for 20–25 minutes, turning once, until the skin is black and the flesh is soft. Slit the skin and scoop out the inside.
Can you cook frozen plantain in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen plantain slices at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket twice, until golden. There is no need to defrost them first.
How do you make plantains without oil?
Ripe plantains contain enough sugar to brown without any oil, though a light spray gives better colour. Without oil they will be a little drier and chewier.
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