These easy baked plantains are one of my favorite side dishes, or main dishes depending on my mood. Serve em up with some black beans, maybe a bit of queso fresco, plenty of cilantro and I’m good. They’re also great stuffed with beef and topped with cheese in this Canoas Recipe.
My only word of warning it to make sure you use ripe plantains. You want them to have plenty of black spots on the outside. And, as you patiently wait for this to happen over a few days while they become their best selves on your countertop, just keep in mind that their beauty comes from within. You’ll know they’re ready when you kinda think “maybe I should throw them away?”. That’s when they have reached their sweet spot, literally. All that starch has converted to sugar, and they are now at their peak of delectableness. So, time to get cooking.
...just keep in mind that their beauty comes from within. You’ll know they’re ready when you kinda think “maybe I should throw them away?”
Easy Baked Plantains
This easy recipe for baked sweet plantains takes just 30 minutes and delivers the most delicious caramelized plantains with crispy golden edges. This is sure to be your new go-to plantain recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Plantains Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Prep time is just 5 minutes, and the oven does the rest.
- Naturally Sweet: No added sugar needed—the ripe plantains provide all the sweetness.
- Versatile: Serve as a side dish, snack, or even dessert with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Diet-Friendly: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Minimal Ingredients: Only three ingredients required: ripe plantains, oil, and a pinch of salt.
Ingredients for Baked Plantains
- Sweet Plantains: You need very ripe plantains for this recipe. They should be super dark, with a mostly black skin and should feel slightly soft when pressed.
- Oil: You want to use a neutral oil for this like canola, vegetable, or avocado.
- Salt: To season the plantains, but you could also add in any dried herbs or spices you like.
How to Bake Plantains (Step-by-Step)
- Preheat Your Oven
Set it to 400°F (200°C). - Slice the Plantains
Peel and slice them diagonally. I like the diagonal slices because it gives you those nice crispy edges when they bake up. - Toss with Oil and Salt
Coat the plantains evenly with oil and sprinkle with salt. Make sure to really coat every bit of the plantain with oil. We’re going for an oven-fry here and the oil ensures you get the best texture on the exterior. - Arrange on a Baking Sheet
Lay them out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking. - Bake
Roast those plantains for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and tender. - Serve and Enjoy
Pair with black beans, rice, or enjoy as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for Success
Use Ripe Plantains
They should look almost overripe with lots of black spots. This ensures they’re as sweet as possible and that they caramelize in the hot oven.
Don’t Skimp on the Oil
A generous coating of oil helps get those crispy, caramelized edges. We are essentially oven-frying the plantains.
FAQs About Baked Plantains
Can I use green plantains for this recipe?
Green plantains are starchy and not as sweet. For this recipe, you want ripe plantains for their texture and sweetness.
What makes the plantains sweet?
As plantains ripen, their starches convert to sugars, giving them their sweetness. It’s just like a banana. The riper the plantain, the sweeter it will be.
Serving Suggestions for Sweet Plantains
- As a Side Dish: Pair with black beans, rice, and grilled chicken, steak or fish.
- Topped with Garnishes: Add crumbled queso fresco, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- As a Snack: Serve with a creamy dipping sauce like avocado crema or spicy chipotle mayo.
- For Dessert: Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with honey or chocolate sauce. And don’t forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
- Make Canoas: Bake the plantains whole and use them as a base for The Best Canoas. Sweet plantains filled with ground beef, raisins, peppers and topped with cheese. Yum!
Storing and Reheating Baked Plantains
- To Store
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. - To Reheat
Warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) - Freezing
You can freeze baked plantains for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven at 350°F (175°C). They should take around 20 minutes.
Why Ripe Plantains Are Essential
The key to this recipe’s success is using super ripe plantains. As plantains ripen, their skin darkens, and their starches convert to sugars. And we need those sugars to get that sweet, caramel-like flavor when roasted. If you’re unsure, wait until the skin is mostly black with a few yellow patches. That’s when they’re at their peak!
Leave a Comment
Did you try this Baked Plantains recipe? Leave a comment below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
Easy Baked Plantains
Ingredients
- 4 sweet plantains very ripe
- 4 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Slice the plantains up, I like em angled cause those thin ends gets nice ’n crispy, but don’t get too stressed about it. Toss them with a generous amount of neutral oil, I used canola here, and a good bit of salt.
- Then dump them on a sheet tray making sure they’re in a single layer. Get them roasting in the oven for about 30 minutes, tossing halfway through to make sure they get some color on both sides.
- You’ll know they’re done when the outside is a lovely golden brown color and the inside is nice and tender. Then you’re ready to eat!
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
