• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe

Smells Like Delish

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • IP Calculator
    • SV Chart
    • Using Grow
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Published: Mar 5, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.

    These fried sweet plantains (Plantanos Maduros) are a delicious dessert or side dish to many Latin inspired meals. Crispy caramelized sweet plantains complement savory dishes like Cuban black beans or enchiladas.

    caramelized sweet plantains in a serving dish.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    Budget friendly and full of potassium and fiber, pan fried plantains are a taste of the Caribbean that you're whole family will love.

    Fried sweet plantains pair well with Cuban, South American, Mexican, Filipino, African, and Caribbean cuisines. These caramelized sweet plantains are easily prepared in about 10 minutes.

    What Are Platanos Maduros?

    Platanos Maduros are ripe plantains that are pan fried into a delectable dessert. Caramelized sweet plantains are perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup, or sprinkle of cinnamon!

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • What Are Platanos Maduros?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Food Safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Look for bright yellow plantains, with as few bruises as possible. There will be dark marks on the outside peel, which is normal, but try to avoid obvious damaged plantains.

    ripe plantain on a white background.
    • Ripe Yellow Plantains - They get sweeter as they get darker. Look for yellow with some black on the peel.
    • Vegetable Oil - For shallow frying.
    • Salt - For seasoning
    • Cinnamon - Optional, for garnish.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)

    These pan fried plantains are easy to make! Just follow along with the guided recipe below for the step-by-step process for making caramelized sweet plantains.

    How to Peel Plantains

    1. The easiest way to peel yellow plantains is to cut the ends off and use a sharp knife to run a slit down the curved back. Then, slip your thumb between the plantain fruit and the peel and ease the peel off.
    2. Ease the peel off around any blemishes, and later you can use a paring knife to remove the stuck spots.
    how to peel ripe plantains
    Peeling ripe yellow plantains

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Prepare for frying

    1. For this easy sweet yellow plantain recipe, you want to slice on a diagonal, about ½" to ⅜" thick. They will be a pale butter yellow before cooking.
    sliced ripe plantain.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Cooking Shallow Pan Fried Plantains

    1. Heat the oil to on a medium high burner. Use enough vegetable oil in your skillet to prevent sticking. Add enough slices of plantain so that they are a single layer. They do not need to be covered in oil, just enough to fry golden on both sides.
    2. Fry the plantains for 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip each one and cook another 2 minutes or so, until golden brown on both sides.
    3. Once fully cooked, the fried sweet plantains will take on a brighter, vibrant shade of yellow. Transfer to a plate with paper towels and let cool. Sprinkle with salt and serve as a side. You can also eat sweet plantains with cinnamon and vanilla ice cream for dessert!
    ripe fried banana caramelized in a skillet.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve these sweet fried plantains as a side dish to our savory Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans, Cuban Chicken Fricassee, or our Cuban Chicken Soup. They are the perfect bit of sweet.

    Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Substitutions and Variations

    Fried sweet plantains make a wonderful dessert sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with vanilla ice cream. These sweet, golden, crispy fried yellow plantains are also called Maduros.

    If you like our Fried Sweet Yellow Plantains, you may also want to try out our Cuban Fried Plantains (Tostones) which are more like a thick potato chip.

    Equipment

    Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making fried sweet plantains (Platanos Maduros).

    • Carote 9.5" Granite Skillet
    • Calaphon 12" Oil Infused Skillet

    Storage

    Store leftover fried sweet plantains (Platanos Maduros) in a covered container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

    Tips for Success

    • Keep the plantain slices a single layer in your skillet while cooking, so that they don't stick together.
    • Transfer to a dish, not a paper towel, as they will be sticky and caramelized.
    • Don't deep fry or cover in oil, as they will absorb oil and get soggy.
    • Watch your temperatures so you do not scorch.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze plantains?

    Yes! How to freeze plantains: store in covered freezer safe containers for up to three months in the freezer.

    What is the difference between maduros vs tostones?

    Maduros are caramelized sweet plantains, that are often eaten like a dessert or with cinnamon. Tostones are pan fried plantains that are unripe, or green and go great with Mojo Garlic sauce. Tostones are cut into thick chunks, pan fried, then smashed so they 'bloom' like a flower.

    What are plantains?

    Plantains are related to the banana family, and look a lot like a banana. When green and unripe they're starchy, with a texture similar to potatoes. Yellow plantains are high in sugar and quickly fry up to crispy caramelized plantain desserts.

    Food Safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

    • air fried quesadilla cut into thirds with cilantro and sour cream garnish.
      Air Fryer Cheese Quesadillas
    • chile relleno burrito with salsa queso sauce on a platter of rice, lettuce, and black beans.
      Chile Relleno Burrito
    • bowl of Cuban Chicken Fricassee.
      Cuban Chicken Fricassee (Fricase de Pollo)
    • mug of Mexican hot chocolate.
      Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate

    Connect with Smells Like Delish!

    Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    📖 Recipe

    Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Sweet Fried Plantains (Platanos Maduros)

    These fried sweet plantains (Plantanos Maduros) are a delicious dessert or side dish to many Latin inspired meals. Crispy caramelized sweet plantains complement savory dishes like Cuban black beans or enchiladas.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Side Dishes
    Cuisine: Latin
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 226kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • 9 inch Round Cast Iron Skillet
    • Calphalon Classic Oil-Infused 12-inch Fry Pan and Cover, Dark Gray

    Ingredients

    • 4 large plantains ripe yellow
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil for shallow frying
    • ½ teaspoon salt to taste
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional, to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Begin by cutting the top and end off of each plantain.
      4 large plantains
    • Next, run your knife down the length of the back of each plantain. Slip your thumb between the flesh and the peel. Ease the peel off, going slow around any blemishes. Don't worry if the peel sticks in a few places. You can trim those off later with a paring knife.
    • Slice each plantain into ¼" diagonal slices.
    • Heat some vegetable oil in a skillet. Medium is usually hot enough to cook golden brown and not scorch the plantains. If using a temperature gauge, heat to 325 F.
      ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • Fry a single layer of the plantains for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Watch carefully, as they can get over browned or scorched quickly. You want them crispy and caramelized.
    • Season with salt, or sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
      ½ teaspoon salt to taste, ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    Notes

    • Only fill your skillet with a single layer so they don't stick together while cooking.
    • Only use as much vegetable oil as needed to not have the plantains stick to the pan.
    • Transfer to a dish after frying, not a paper towel, as they will be sticky from the caramelized surface.
    • Watch your cooking temperatures so they do not scorch.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1349IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword : caramelized sweet plantains, easy fried sweet plantains, Plátanos Fritos, platanos maduros, sweet fried plantains

    Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Twitter

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • replicated Longhorn Rice Pilaf in a serving bowl.
      Longhorn Rice Pilaf
    • platter of roasted asparagus garnished with cheese and lemon.
      Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
    • air fried samosa appetizers with dip.
      Air Fryer Frozen Samosa
    • serving platter of tri color carrots garnished with herbs, olive oil, and lemon.
      Roasted Rainbow Carrots

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Dahn says

      May 01, 2022 at 9:19 pm

      Looks delish!! These would make such a great side dish with some rice and beans.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

    More about me →

    Newest Recipes

    • jumbo gluten-free chocolate chip muffins on a cooling rack.
      Bakery Style Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • air fryer frozen french toast sticks.
      Air Fryer Frozen French Toast Sticks
    • cream cheese frosting with no butter.
      Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter
    • closeup of a mini processor full of freshly pulsed basil and walnut pesto.
      Thai Basil Pesto
    recipe newsletter

    Diet Friendly Recipes

    • serving dish with blackened mahi mahi and lemon wedges with tartar sauce in a bowl.
      Blackened Mahi Mahi
    • plate of cajun chicken and shrimp pasta.
      Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta
    • baked branzino glazed with miso sauce on a serving platter with lemon wedges.
      Miso Baked Branzino
    • roasted winter root vegetables.
      Roasted Winter Root Vegetables

    Asian Inspirations

    • beef & broccoli stir fry in a skillet.
      Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
    • powdered sugar dusted croffles on a serving platter.
      Croffles (Croissant Waffles)
    • platter of thai chicken cashew on rice.
      Thai Cashew Chicken
    • teriyaki salmon steaks garnished with sesame seeds and thai basil leaves.
      Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

    Recommended

    • del frisco's butter cake with ice cream, caramel sauce, and whip cream.
      Del Frisco's Butter Cake
    • serving bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with butter & parsley.
      Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes
    • A corn muffin with the wrapper removed.
      Cracker Barrel Cornbread Recipe
    • small plate with cut pork lumpia and a small bowl of dipping sauce nearby
      Traditional Pork Lumpia
    • close up of serving bowl with black beans, tostones, cilantro.
      Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
    • close up of white serving platter with three grilled pork chops and a green napkin on a white background
      Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops

    International Favorites

    • Bowl of Chimichurri rice.
      Chimichurri Rice
    • ghana meat pies on a platter.
      Ghanaian Meat Pie
    • Jollof rice Ghanaian style, molded in a small bowl on a plate.
      Jollof Rice Ghanaian
    • hot naan on a cooling rack.
      Sourdough Naan

    Footer

    ↑ back to top
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact
    • About
    • Amazon Store
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • LinkedIn

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Smells Like Delish