Maduritos, aka Fried Sweet Plantains, are a classic side dish served in many different regions around the world. Learn how to easily make fried maduros with the perfect crispy edges!
Why This Recipe Works
I don't want to get too excited here, but maduritos are seriously the best. I can think of so many different ways to eat these fried sweet plantains and each of them is more delicious than the next. Did you know that you can even make lasagna with these?! YUM.
If you have never had maduritos, they are a simple fried sweet plantain that is served in many Caribbean and Latin countries as a side dish. Typically served with rice and some sort of meat or beans. But you can eat them for breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert!
The difference between this madurito recipe and my fried plantains recipe is that this recipe uses a ripe, yellow plantain, as opposed to an unripe, green plantain. If you have a green plantain on hand and want to make this recipe, simply wait a few days and it will turn yellow pretty quickly!
You may have heard of maduritos before, which are also sweet plantain chips. Similar to potato chips, sweet plantain chips are a crispy, crunchy snack, but they are made out of plantain instead of potato. These maduritos are different, since they are crunchy but do have slightly crispy, caramelized edges!
Ingredients
This easy maduritos recipe only uses two ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Yellow Plantain: You can use how ever many plantains you want. I just used one and it serves as a side dish for about 3 people. Since sweet plantains are sweet, each person will usually eat just a few pieces.
- Oil: Yes, we are frying these plantains in oil. I prefer to do it like this since it is the traditional way to do it. Use a neutral, high smoke point oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, grape seed oil, or avocado oil.
How to Make This Recipe
- Prep Plantain: Start by cutting off the ends of the ripe plantain. Then, using a sharp knife, run the knife along the edge of the peel to create a lengthwise slit all the way down. Using your thumb, start to peel the peel away from the plantain to take it off.
- Slice: Slice the plantain into thin, diagonal pieces, about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Heat Oil: Set a large skillet on the stove on medium to medium-high heat. Add oil to the skillet, just enough to fully cover the pan and have a shallow layer of oil in the pan.
- Fry: Once the oil is hot, add the pieces of plantain to the oil. Keep in mind these are slippery pieces of plantain, similar to banana, so be careful and use tongs. Cook on one side until starting to develop some browning, about 4-5 minutes (but keep an eye on them). Then flip and allow to gain color on the other side.
- Serve: Once the plantains are golden brown on both sides, remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate and serve! Be sure to serve warm.
Tips for Success
- Use ripe, yellow plantains! Those gorgeous, caramelized edges only happen with ripe, yellow plantains. If your plantain isn't ripe yet, just wait a day or two until it is fully yellow and even starting to brown!
- Eat them hot! Plantains are always best when served hot. So be prepared to serve them right when they come out of the pan!
- You can usually find plantains at a specialty store like Whole Foods or Sprouts! You can usually find them at Walmart, too. If you find them and they are green, grab a few! You can make patacones while they are green and wait a few days until they are yellow to make this maduritos recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Green plantain is an unripe plantain that is starchy and savory. Yellow plantain is a ripe plantain that turns sweeter and more close to a banana. Also known as a cooking banana, yellow plantains are often sliced and fried to turn into delicious treats!
You can serve fried sweet plantains with rice and beans, Ecuadorian stewed chicken, in arepas, with eggs, with queso fresco, or alone! These are just a few options, since these maduritos are so versatile and can be eaten in whatever way you like!
More Recipes to Try
Maduritos
Ingredients
- 1 yellow plantain
- oil use a neutral oil with a high smoke point
Instructions
- Start by cutting off the ends of the ripe plantain. Then, using a sharp knife, run the knife along the edge of the peel to create a lengthwise slit all the way down. Using your thumb, start to peel the peel away from the plantain to take the peel off.
- Slice the plantain into thin, diagonal pieces about ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Set a large skillet on the stove on medium to medium high heat. Add oil to the skillet, just enough to cover fully cover the pan and have a shallow layer of oil in the pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the pieces of plantain into the oil. Keep in mind that these are slippery pieces of plantain, so be careful and use tongs. Cook on one side until starting to develop some browning, about 4-5 minutes. Then flip and allow to gain color on the other side.
- Once the plantains are golden brown on both sides, remove from the oil and place on a paper towel lined plate and serve!
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