FRIED PLANTAINS
This is one of my children’s favorite snacks. I even put them in charge of making it! The fun part is that they are just like potato chips, but healthier. Make these at home with your family and let your kids learn the recipe. You’ll have them making it in no time!
Published September 13, 2023
I was so excited to invite my daughter, Zoe, to host this episode for me. She LOVES fried plantains and makes them for us all the time. This easy recipe is a great snack for kids and adults. I prefer my kids eating these over potato chips! I also like to have these for friends when they come over; they always appreciate foods that can be dipped into hummus or tzatziki that are a little healthier than regular crisps.
Making these isn’t complicated, but it requires patience. You start by adding the plantain rounds to oil to lightly fry and soften. This is important because they don’t smash easily if they haven’t experienced a little bit of heat. Don’t be tempted to turn it up too high, however, or they’ll cook too quickly and burn.
I like to smash these with a mallet of some kind. Be patient with the process and let them drain for a minute so the hot oil doesn’t splash on you when you smash them. Then, smash them so they get thinner, but not too thin. Finally, add them back to the oil and cook a little longer until they are nice and crispy like a potato chip.
Generously salt the fried plantains immediately after you’ve removed them from the oil a second time. Allow them to drain again and serve them warm, if possible. My kids love to munch on these after school. They also look really pretty on a platter and served with a yummy hummus or yogurt dip. I’ve even packed these on lunches and for picnics in the past!
You’ll love this new, tasty alternative to the endless parades of potato chips in your house. They’re a fun, healthy way to enjoy a crunch snack, without it being total junk food. I hope you enjoyed your show hostess, Zoe, I hope she’ll join me on the show again in the future!
Nikki's Modern Mediterranean
Watch Nikki make it
Village Salad Bread Kone
Press play and cook along — the full recipe is just below.
The recipe
FRIED PLANTAINS
Ingredients
Method
Use a knife to cut a line down the plantains to make them easier to peel. Then, remove the peel completely.
Cut the plantains into ¾ thick rounds and set aside.
Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a saucepan and bring to a high summer over medium-high heat.
Carefully add the plantain rounds to the oil and fry them on each side until they are lightly browned on both sides.
Remove them to a plate lined with a paper towel to allow them to drain completely.
Use a kitchen mallet or plantain masher to carefully flatten each plantain.
Then, add them back to the hot oil to fry them until completely golden brown on both sides.
Remove the plantains to a serving platter and sprinkle them with sea salt. Enjoy!
