These golden, crispy Air Fryer Plantains deliver pure tropical delight in just 15 minutes. With a perfectly caramelized exterior and tender inside, this healthier take on traditional fried plantains cuts down on oil while keeping all the authentic flavor.
A smart choice for both sweet and savory cravings, each serving provides essential nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, while staying under 150 calories. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed as a guilt-free snack, these air-fried plantains bring restaurant-quality results right to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Plantains: 2 very ripe ones, perfect for sweet caramelization
- Avocado Oil: 1 tablespoon, divided for even coating and crisping
- Sugar: 1/2 teaspoon, adds a delightful sweet finish
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Prep the Plantains: Cut diagonally into ½-inch thick slices for perfect bite-sized pieces
- Oil Coating: In a bowl, toss plantain slices with half the avocado oil until evenly coated
- Air Fryer Setup: Arrange slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket – work in batches if needed
- First Cook: Air fry at 370°F for 5 minutes to start the browning process
- Final Touch: Brush remaining oil on tops, flip slices, and cook 5 more minutes until beautifully browned
- Finishing: Sprinkle with sugar while hot and serve immediately for the best taste
Picking the Perfect Plantain
For sweet plantains, look for ones with mostly black peels – these are the ripest and sweetest! The darker the peel, the more natural sugars have developed. Your plantains should feel slightly soft when gently squeezed, similar to a ripe banana.
Air Fryer Tips
Keep those slices about ½-inch thick – this helps them cook evenly and get that perfect crispy outside while staying tender inside. If your plantain slices are touching in the air fryer basket, they won’t crisp up as nicely. A single layer is your best friend here! Your plantains are ready when they’re golden brown with slightly darker edges.
Tasty Variations
While this recipe uses sugar for a sweet treat, you can skip it and add a pinch of salt instead for savory plantains. Try sprinkling on some cinnamon or a dash of cayenne pepper for extra zip. Want them extra crispy? Cut them a bit thinner, but watch them closely so they don’t burn.
Serving Ideas
These sweet plantains are amazing on their own as a snack, but they’re also fantastic with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- As a side dish with Caribbean meals
- Alongside your morning breakfast
Serve them right away – that’s when they’re at their crispiest and most delicious!
Air Fryer Plantains
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 Plantains very ripe
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil divided
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
Instructions
- Slice plantains into ½-inch thick diagonal pieces.
- Place plantain slices in a bowl and drizzle with half of the oil. Toss until evenly coated.
- Place plantains in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you do not have enough space, you may need to work in batches.
- Cook plantains at 370F for 5 minutes. Brush the tops of the plantains with the remaining oil, flip over and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until plantains are browned and the insides are tender. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and serve immediately.
