These fried sweet plantains, or maduros, are ripe plantains sliced and fried until they're tender in the middle with caramelized, lightly crisp edges. They're naturally sweet and make a classic side dish for many Latin and Caribbean meals.
Maduro means "ripe" in Spanish, so plátanos maduros simply refers to ripe sweet plantains. If you're ordering them at a Latin restaurant, you can ask for plátanos maduros or simply maduros.
In Cuban cuisine, maduros are one of the most popular side dishes, alongside tostones. Both are made from plantains, but tostones use green, unripe plantains, while maduros are made with fully ripe plantains, giving them their signature sweet flavor and caramelized finish.
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How do you know if plantains are ripe?
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For the best results, use very ripe plantains. Look for peels that are yellow with plenty of black or completely black. They should also feel fairly soft and give slightly when pressed with your thumb. The darker they are, the sweeter they'll be.
Ingredients
- 1 Ripe Plantain
- 1½ cup Oil, or enough to cover the bottom of a large skillet with ½ inch of oil. Use a neutral (flavorless) variety with a high smoke point - we used canola oil and a 10 inch skillet.
Prep work
The only prep required is peeling and slicing the plantain, making this an easy side dish that's ready in minutes.
Place the plantain on a flat surface and cut off the ends. Score the peel by running a sharp knife tip down the length of the banana. Try not to cut deep into the flesh. Gently remove the peel; it should come off in one piece or in long strips.
Slice it at a slight angle into roughly 1 inch pieces. Each plantain will yield approximately 6-8 pieces.
How to make fried sweet plantains
Heat about ¼ inch of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (we use a 10-inch skillet). The oil should be hot enough to bubble gently around the plantains, but not so hot that they brown before the centers become tender. Test the oil with one piece before frying the rest.
Carefully add the slices to the skillet in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Don't overcrowd the pan, cook in batches if needed. The pieces tend to drift together as they cook, so use tongs or a spatula to keep them separated.
Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes or until golden brown. If needed, turn them one more time and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Once they begin to caramelize, they'll brown quickly, so keep a close eye on them.
Remove the plantains from the skillet with tongs or a slotted spoon, letting as much oil drain off as possible. Transfer them to a plate or serving platter.
Pro tip
Let the oil cool slightly between batches. If it gets too hot, the outsides will brown too quickly and may burn before the centers become tender.
Storing and reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the microwave in 20- to 30-second intervals until heated through.
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📖 Recipe
Fried Sweet Plantains
Ingredients
- 1 Ripe Plantain peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces sliced at a slight diagonal angle
- 1½ cup Oil or enough to cover the bottom of a large skillet with ½ inch of oil. Use a neutral (flavorless) variety with a high smoke point
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat (we used a 10 inch skillet). Don't let the oil get too hot. We want it to bubble gently around the pieces. Use a test piece to make sure the oil is hot enough.
- Carefully place the sliced plantain pieces in the oil. You should be able to fit about 6-8 pieces depending on the size of your skillet. Do not overcrowd the pan, fry in batches if necessary.
- Fry the plantains for 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully flip each one and cook another 2 minutes or so, until golden brown on both sides.
- Flip again if necessary and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Once they start to brown and caramelize it will happen really quickly, so keep an eye on them.
- Remove the plantains from the skillet using tongs or a slotted spoon to allow as much oil to drain as possible and place on a plate or platter for serving.
Video
Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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