Sweet fried (or baked) plantains become Plátanos Maduros or Dulces de Plátanos so easily. These are the plantains you dream about when you go to a Cuban or Caribbean restaurant. In Costa Rica, they are often served with Tico Tipical (typical Costa Rican meal).
You can eat Plátanos Maduros for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Here's a simple dessert idea for Valentine's Day! Plátanos Maduros. Don't they look amazing? Bananas and plantains get sweeter as they ripen. Last week I told you how to make Patacones Mini Tostadas, which are made from green plantains. (Patacones are not sweet.)
Like bananas, plantains are hard (starchy) and mostly tasteless if you eat them when they are green (unless you cook them). But very ripe plantains get soft and sweet, and the skin turns black as they ripen. The same thing happens to bananas. The flavor is enhanced and the nutrition remains the same. That's why people use bananas in smoothies.
This Plátanos Maduros recipe takes about 10 minutes and uses 3 simple ingredients. No sugar is necessary. They look beautiful on the plate and taste so deliciously sweet and good you will wish you had more.
Here's What Plantains Look Like
In the store, you will usually find green or yellow plantains. Buy them green if you want to make Patacones. Take the yellow or black ones if you are ready to make Plátanos Maduros. And if your green plantains get black, now you know what to do with them!
Green plantains.
Ripe plantain
When you remove the peel, this is what it looks like when it's ripe.
WHAT YOU NEED
For tools, you need a sharp knife and a nonstick frying pan. That's it. For the recipe, you need ripe plantains, a little vegetable or canola oil, and a little butter (optional if you need dairy-free). You can add cinnamon or sugar if you like a different flavor, but neither is necessary.
Plátanos Maduros Recipe
Plátanos Maduros
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe plantain yellow and somewhat soft
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or other vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Peel the plantain.
- Slice the flesh of the plantain into strips about ⅛ inch wide and 2-3 inches long.
- Heat the oil and butter over medium to medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet until hot.
- Lay the plantain strips in the hot oil and cook until they are turning brown, about 3-4 minutes. Turn the strips over and continue sautéing until the second side is brown.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
Recipe Nutrition Information
This recipe is GF, DF (leave out butter), NF, SF, EF, CF, V, VG (leave out butter)*
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
Plátanos Maduros Nutrition Label. Each serving is about one-half a plantain.
Nourish Your Body & Soul
I encourage you to care of yourself by eating satisfying, nourishing food that is good for your body and makes you feel healthy. Protect your spirit by living authentically, moving your body, and taking time to replenish and rest. I think you might also like these recipes & posts from Recipe Idea Shop:
- Patacones Mini Tostadas
- Amish Monster Cookies
- Danish Sugar Cookies (Gluten Free)
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Coconut Kisses
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Plátanos Maduros. Sweet, fried plantains. 10 minutes to heaven. #HealthyTwist #RecipeIdeaShop
*Allergen Key
GF = Gluten free | DF = Dairy free | NF = Nut free | SF = Soy free | EF = Egg free | CF = Corn free | V = Vegetarian | VG = Vegan
Note: If you have serious allergies or sensitivities, to be considered free of these allergens, you need to use products specifically marked "gluten free," etc. There can be cross-contamination in facilities.
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.