This recipe for air fryer plantains
They are the easiest, healthiest, and most addictive homemade snack you’ll want to make over and over again.
Why does this Haitian Bannann Peze Recipe Work?
Air frying the plantains eliminate using a lot of oil to deep fry the plantains.
Calories are extremely low.
They serve well as healthy appetizers.
About Haitian Fried Plantains
Haitian fried
Whether you are making fried plantains that are sweet or just learning how to make green fried plantains, the method is extremely easy, and you are minutes away from enjoying a healthy homemade snack.
Fried plantains are The NUMBER ONE irresistible fried food in the Caribbean and Latin America. Whether you call them Plantains or Tostones, or maduros, the ending result is always delicious!
Growing up we ate plantains all the time; boiled and fried. We would most often boil the plantains to serve as a meal with fish or poultry.
If they are fried, then they are served as an appetizer with Haitian Pikliz, Haitian Griot (Fried Pork), tasso, and I’ve even served them with my chimichurri sauce.
There are studies that argue if plantains are classified as a fruit or as a vegetable. They are very starchy when green.
When they are yellow with black dots, they are compared more to a banana because of the sweet flavor, and because it also resembles a banana.
In Haitian cuisine, plantains are classified as a vegetable. Certain parts of the world serve both the yellow and green plantain as an appetizer. The yellow ones are a little more versatile as I have used them to make plantain bread.
These little addictive suckers can also be made as chips and serve with salsa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Naturally, plantains are gluten free as they do not contain any wheat or grain.
Yup, you bet! Fried plantains are sugar free and it is vegan. So, you are set to eat comfortably. Worry free.
Cut the skin along the ridges straight down. Be careful to not go in too deep. About ½ inch or so. Just enough to lift the skin. Lift the skin and start peeling. It’s best to use a knife to assist you.
YUP! It is loaded with fiber. It has more vitamin A and C compared to bananas, and they make a great substitute for potatoes.
Cut the plantains in the desired size after peeling, then carefully transfer the plantain pieces to the hot oil and cook until fork through.
How to fry plantains twice?
First, gather your ingredients – plantains; I used the ones that were partly green and partly yellow. By the time I started working on this recipe, they had already started to change color (Picture 1).
You will need 2 cups lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and olive oil spray (all not photographed).
Next, cut the skin along the ridges straight down (picture 2). I recommend doing in multiple places as it makes it easier to peel. Especially if this is your first time. Be careful to not go in too deep. About ½ inch or so. Just enough to lift the skin (picture 3).
Once the skin is peeled, cut the plantains diagonally into desired size (Picture 4).
Now, different countries and cultures cook plantains differently. But to make Haitian Plantains, or ba
Allow the plantains to sit in the water for a couple of minutes, remove the plantains from the water, then start frying.
We use the salt water method to help season the plantains during the first initial frying. Once the plantains are fried/cooked (fork through – picture 6-7), use a plantain wood press to flatten the plantains (Picture 8), then dip the plantains in the water again for about 5-10 seconds but no more than 1 minute depending on the quantity or batch.
This helps it become (slightly) crispy and add a little more season to the plantains.
Plantains absorb flavors well. Be careful to not leave them in the water for too long as you do not want them to be salty (see notes below).
To make the plantains in the air fryer, after the plantains are cut diagonal, soak them in the saltwater, place the plantains in the air fryer basket and spray them with olive oil. Cook them on 400 degrees for 15 minutes; shaking or turning halfway.
When the 15 minutes are up, press the plantains, dip them in the water again for about 5 seconds. Spray them again with olive oil, then cook again for an additional 2 minutes or until desired crispiness (See notes below). This method also allows them to be crispy (Picture 9-10).
I found that the plantains can become dry while cooking in the air fryer. I recommend spraying them as needed to help them cook better and end with a yellow/golden color when finished (Picture 9).
Cooking plantains in the air fryer
Luckily, yellow plantains or
To make them in the air fryer, simply follow the same method as described in the directions below.
Although it takes longer to fry plantains in the air fryer. The benefits are worth it. Less greasy. Healthier. You will enjoy the true taste of the plantains instead of hot oil that was used to fry them.
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Bannann Peze – Haitian Fried Plantains Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 plantains green or slightly yellow
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the water and salt. Stir and set aside.Cut the heads of the plantains. Then cut the ridges straight down. I recommend doing in multiple places as it makes it easier to peel. Just enough to lift the skin.Once the skin is peeled, cut the plantains diagonally into the desired size.Allow the plantains to sit in the water for a couple of minutes, remove the plantains from the water, pray the plantains with olive oil. Shake well to coat, then place them in the air fryer basket.
- Fry on 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Shaking to cook evenly and adding additional oil, if needed.Once the plantains are fried/cooked (fork through), use a plantain wood press to flatten the plantains.Then dip the plantains in the water again for about 5-10 seconds but no more than 1 minute depending on the quantity or batch for extra seasoning (optional).
- After pressing the plantains, if you choose to dip them in the water again, spray them again with olive oil, be sure to shake well to properly coat. If you did not dip them in the water again, add the pressed plantains back into the air fryer, and cook again for an additional 2 minutes or until you reached the desired crispiness. Serve as a side and enjoy!
Deb Needles
I am so excited to try this! My daughter’s boyfriend’s parents (future inlaws I am sure and I hope! He is a great guy) are from a Haiti and I am so happy to find this website. I love banon but with the language barrier I couldn’t get the whole recipe and in the air fryer to boot! Side note, I am trying to learn Creole, do you have any website recommendations?
Mirlene
Thank you very much. I truly appreciate it. I’m sorry, I don’t know any websites that teach Creole. I definitely recommend conducting a search online.
Bina
Duolingo (app) offers Haitian Creole for free!
Mirlene
Thank you, Bina.
M C
Loved these , so easy and delicious and more healthy than deep fried for sure. Great intro for my family to plantains! I made a quick sauce of may, cilantro and garlic pastes, lemon juice and salt. not authentic but hit the spot. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and recipe!
Mirlene
Thank you very much!
Stephanie Simmons
Mmm these sure do look yummy – you’re tempting me to get an air fryer!
Mirlene
Thank you, Stephanie. I use my air fryer often. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.
Lathiya
Oh wow, this looks like my kind of recipe. Easy yet yummy. I loved the idea of air frying the plantains.
Mirlene
Thank you, Lathiya!
Jacqueline Debono
I don’t have an air fryer (yet) and have never eaten fried plantains but they look and sound delicious. When frying them in a frying pan, what oil do you use?
Mirlene
When frying in the pan, I have often used vegetable oil.
Sophie
I had fried plantain at a local food truck a while ago and this reminds me of that yum flavor. Thanks for the recipe.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
My mom used to LOVe plantains but I hated them as a kid. But as I grew up, I started liking them more. This looks so good!!
Linda
I love plantains and it’s something I look forward to each time I eat out. Thanks for sharing the recipe. This looks so easy to make and something that needs to happen soon.
Karyl Henry
I love plantains but I’ve never tried them smashed like this. I recently got an air fryer and I’m obsessed with trying everything possible in it…plantains are definitely going on the list! Thanks for this recipe
Mirlene
Try smashing them next time. It does make a little difference. Plus it provides a new fun way to eat the plantains.
Vidya Narayan
This looks amazing plus made in Air Fryer! My native town is Kerala, India and we make a similar preparation with ripe plantains that are dipped in a batter and fried. They are called Pazham Pori. Your post just took me back to Kerala. However, your version is quite low in calories. Would definitely give this a try!
Mirlene
I love my air fryer and I cannot get enough of my air fryer. I love learning new names for ingredients. Thanks for sharing.
Erika
Plantains are one of my favorite things to eat. My family made these all the time growing up and I’ve always loved them. These look delicious!
Mirlene
Thank you, Erika.
Jere Cassidy
I love your in-depth tutorial on how to make the plantains. I have never eaten plantains and would love to give these a try.
Mirlene
Thanks, Jere! I hope you get a chance to try and enjoy them.
dee
We are such fans of Plantains dishes, I always feels like I will do it wrong but I think I will give it a try now! thank you for the elaborate post, very helpful.
Kacie Morgan
I love fried plantain but I wouldn’t have a clue how to make it myself at home, so I’m very grateful to have stumbled across your blog post.
Amanda
I love that these plantains use the air fryer! It makes it so low key and easy to put together. Such a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Stine Mari
Mmm this sounds delicious! I love fried plantain. However, they are not so easy to get a hold of here, could I use regular bananas?
Ramona
I definitely don’t cook with plantains enough – I love the looks and sound of this recipe and I cannot wait to make it. My family would love this.
Kelly Anthony
I’m so glad you included a picture of how to cut a plantain because I struggled my first time. I was expecting it to peel like a banana but I soon figured out that was not the case. This recipe is a great healthy snack or appetizer that will be loved by all.
Mirlene
hahahhaha I love that and I can understand why you would do it. That’s perfectly fine – a knife is always needed. I am glad the photos helped.