If you are not familiar with plantain bread (plantain cake), you are in for a treat. This bread is gluten-free, delicious, and is a perfect alternative to banana bread and a great way to use your ripe plantains.
Savory Thoughts: “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” ― George Bernard Shaw
In Haiti, we eat a lot of plantains. Caribbeans in general, eat a lot of plantains. This is to include boil, fried, or baked.
So it’s no secret we would also found a way to turn plantains into desserts as well or serve it as bread.
This bread is by far my favorite to make! If you are familiar with banana bread, it is pretty much the same method. The key is to make sure the plantain is ripe enough or soft enough. Once it starts turning yellow with brown or black spots, just like a banana, then it’s time to turn it into a dessert.
This bread/cake can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s the BEST!
How to make plantain bread (Plantain Cake)?
Very easy! You will need the following ingredients.
Plantain, gluten-free flour or pancake mix, sugar, butter, baking powder, sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract. See step-by-step picture in the recipe notes below.
Can plantains be substituted for bananas and Can plantains be too ripe?
Yes, you can use bananas in place of plantains and follow the same steps to make this bread. The riper the plantains, the sweeter it will be. In the end, it will taste as if you were eating banana bread.
Latest video – Haitian Tasso
If you love this plantain bread recipe, you’ll love these Macaroons!
Did you make this Plantain Bread recipe? Tag me on Instagram or Facebook and please give it a star rating below!
SAVE THIS PLANTAIN BREAD RECIPE TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS!
Also, I am always pinning tasty recipes, Let’s connect on Pinterest!
Plantain Bread (Plantain Cake) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 plantains very ripe
- 1 cup gluten-free pancake and waffle mix
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 stick salted butter soften
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the plantains in small pieces to make it easier to mash.
- In a kitchen aid mixer or using an electric mixer, mash the plantains.
- Cream together the butter, eggs, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and vanilla extract one at a time. Combine to a smooth consistency.
- Fold in the flour and sour cream; alternate between each fold.
- Pour in a greased loaf pan or bundt pan. Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and enjoy for breakfast or with ice cream for dessert.
Notes
Plantain Bread (Plantain Cake) Recipe Tip:
Plantain - the more yellow they are, the sweeter the plantains will be. Flour - I prefer to use the Gluten-free pancake and waffle mix as it is sweet and it also has xanthan gum.Plantain Bread (Plantain Cake) Recipe Step-by-Step Picture:
Nutrition
Laavida
This looks great. Haitian food is amazing! Do you think I can use plantain and cassava flour instead? Would you substitute anything for the sour cream? I look forward to your feedback bc I want to make this tomorrow. Merci beaucoup!
Mirlene
Hello Laavida!
Thank you! I not not used cassava flour to Mae this bread. But you can use plain greek yogurt in substitution of the sour cream. I hope this helps.
Laavida
Good suggestion. I’ll try to make it with plantain flour tonight.
Mirlene
Thank you! Would love to know how it turns out for you.
Shira
I will substitute cashew yogurt fir the sour cream ans coconut oil for the butter to make this vegan
Mirlene
Sounds good! I would love to know how it works out.
Eavie
Hello Mirlene, this looks so good, i am going to make it I usually make banana bread. This will be nice to make for a change. I am West African and I love plantains prepared in any form. Can I make this without the sour cream? Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Mirlene
Thank you, Eavie! Yes, you can make this without sour cream. I hope you enjoy it.
avis
Hi, I’m wondering if you use black plantains rather than yellow, could you leave out he sugar?
Mirlene
Hi Avis,
Not sure what you mean by black plantains. However, yellow ripe plantains work well. They are sweet and soft as well as the closest to bananas. Instead of sugar, you can also use honey. Be mindful it will alter the taste. I would love to know how your bread turns out.
Simone
I have no butter in my house! Do you think I can use coconut oil instead??
Mirlene
I have never tried it with coconut oil. However, I have used vegetable oil.
Kourtney Johnson
I don’t have gf pancake mix can I just use regular pancake mix?
Mirlene
You can. However, I would be careful as you do not want the texture to be too runny. You may also use regular flour and add a 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon baking powder.
Mirelle
Looks delicious..YUM!
Helena
I love this plantain bread! I really want to make it! 🙂
MDesir
Good and thank you. I hope you enjoy it!
Stephanie Simmons
Wow this looks incredibly delicious! I love that it’s GF too so you can be sure to meet your guest’s dietary needs during the holidays!
MDesir
Thank you, Stephanie!
Chef Mireille
Plantains are one of my all time favorite foods in the entire world. I use them and all their versions in both sweet and savory dishes and this is one I definitely want to try!
MDesir
I love plantains too, Mereille. Thanks for reading!
Kari Heron
Big and serious! The Jamaican in me wants to hug you, call this “Wicked!” and give you a 21 gun salute. Seriously, MUST try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
MDesir
Haha! You are funny. Thank you, Kari!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica
I have never made plantain bread or cake. This looks easy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Looks like one to try!!
MDesir
Thank you, Carol.
Renu
The cake is super moist and soft and the texture looks amazing. I would love to have this with some hot coffee and some books by the side.
MDesir
It is great with coffee.
Krista Price
I love that you used gluten-free pancake mix for this recipe! I actually have more than I know what to do with, so I’ll definitely be trying this recipe! It looks great!
MDesir
Good! Now you have an excuse to use the mix. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you!
Catherine Baez Sholl
Hey, island neighbor! I grew up in the Dominican Republic and eating plantains all the time. I’ve never made a bread with it, though. Definitely gonna try this one!
MDesir
Well, hello neighbor!!! I hope you try it. it’s sweet, soft and it is perfect for breakfast.
Tina
Yum! I love plantains, but have never had it as a bread. I cannot wait to make this. One quick question, do you know if I can use spelt flour instead of the GF pancake mix?
MDesir
Yes, you can use spelt flour instead of GF flour.
Yang
Plantain breads sound amazing! I look forward to trying this. 🙂
Meredith
I have never made plantain bread but always see them at the grocery store! Pinning to make soon!
MDesir
Now you have a reason to pick them up. It’s delicious! Just make sure you get the ripe ones.
Anna Hettick
I’ve never had a plantain but I keep seeing delicious recipes for them that make me want to try them! Including this bread!
Jacqueline Debono
This plantain bread looks and sounds delicious! It’s hard to find plantains here in Italy, but I’d love to try this recipe with banana.
MDesir
it is actually the same concept as banana bread. Enjoy!
jennifer
It looks so moist and yummy and I bet makes the house smell delicious while baking! ahhhh!
MDesir
Thank you, Jennifer!
Stine Mari
I love banana bread, it’s so comforting. I would love to try using plantains instead, it’s so delicious.
MDesir
Thank you, Mari. It is as comforting, especially with butter on top, YUM!
April
I think I have had so many banana breads already that it is about time to switch to something healthier and… different! This easy plaintain bread looks so good AND it is gluten-free which is just what I need – thank you!
Kelly Anthony
I’ve never made banana bread with pancake mix but what a great idea. I’m excited to try your version of plantain bread.
MDesir
It’s different but it works! Thanks for reading, Kelly!
ChihYu
What a gorgeous and delicious cake. Saving it for later !
MDesir
Thank you!
Amanda
I love the idea of using plantains! What a fun twist on the typical banana bread and cake. Adding this to my baking list! Thanks for sharing.
MDesir
Thank you, Amanda!
Maddy
Wow, this looks so delicious! Especially that picture with butter on top… I’m drooling over here!
I love this idea! Thank you for sharing 🙂
MDesir
I’m glad you like it! Thank you, Maddy!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
I love plantains, but have never thought to bake with them before! What a great, and yummy, idea!
MDesir
Thank you!
Katie Beck
Never ever baked with plantains before!! I have eaten them, fried like little chips (and loved them) but not in a cake. Sounds wonderful!
MDesir
You are in for a treat! Just make sure the plantains are ripe before baking with them. Thank you, Katie!
STACEY CRAWFORD
I have not had plantain cake before, but love plantains in tostones, mofongo, and as chips. I need to wear gloves to peel and slice them or my fingers will turn black. Looks delicious!
MDesir
I don’t like peeling them either. Especially when they are really green. I love mofongo! I need to makes some soon.
Jean
I’ve never had plantain bread before but this looks absolutely delicious! I really like banana bread so I’m sure I would love this as well.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
That bread sounds fabulous! I love that it’s gluten free!
Jeannette
I love “platanos”! Platanos is plantains in Spanish. We literally eat them with almost everything in our Puerto Rican meals. Thank so much for this. Now that we have discovered a possible gluten allergy in my son, this is exactly what we need for a holiday snack he can actually have. Banana bread is usually a staple bread for us during the holidays, now we can have platanos!
MDesir
That’s sweet, Jeannette. Thank you. We are slowly making a switch to gluten-free as well…slowly. We have to make the switch, as well as our children, have a gluten allergy. Enjoy the holidays! I hope he likes the bread.
Raia Todd
I’ve never baked with plantains before. This cake looks so delicious, though, I might have to try it!
Joni Gomes
I married into a hispanic family and we always have some sort of plantain side dish or snack around! This cake looks incredible! I need to make it for my family, I know they would love it!
MDesir
AWWW thank you, Joni. Please do make it for them. It’s great for breakfast as well.
Tessa Simpson
I fell in love with plantains only in the last couple years…they are so amazing…ripe OR green!! What a yummy variation!
MDesir
Welcome to the plantain club!
Renee D Kohley
This looks amazing! What a fun treat! Thank you for sharing this!
Bev
Holy Cow!! This looks incredible! What a stellar recipe packed with so much beauty and flavour. I can’t wait to make this to go with a cup or two of tea. Thanks for another great recipe.
MDesir
Thank you, Bev!
Gingey Bites
This looks lovely and I can only imagine how great it tastes. Plantains are a little harder to get hold of in the UK but I will give this a try with bananas!
Gloria
I have never worked/cooked with plantain. I do remember enjoying it when I was in St.Lucia. This looks like a great recipe to experiment with. I will look for some next time I grocery shop.
MDesir
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it!