Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}

Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}, are made with very ripe, Yellow Plantains and make a delicious side dish.

Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}

Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}, sometimes referred to as “Sweet Black Bananas,” have all the sweet, flavor of the fried version, but uses only a teaspoon of oil. Put away your bottle of Crisco and let your Air Fryer become your new best friend.

Anyone who knows anything about Miami, knows that there is some GOOD CUBAN FOOD all over the  City! Even the mediocre places are GOOD! Platanos Maduros is sure to be served, along with your main course. The sweet, caramelized, yummy goodness, fried perfectly in a pan of oil, yum. Plantains need no seasoning, sauce, no complication preparation. They are sweet and delicious, all onto themselves. But, think of the calories! Yikes.

Cast of Ingredients for Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}

Now imagine, the same deliciousness, but with only a little spray of Oil? Plantains have all the goodness within themselves. No other ingredients are involved. No standing over a vat of Oil, no involved preparation.

Ugh, to think I used to eat Platanos a couple times a week, when I worked in Downtown Miami. All the grease and calories. Oh, I sure miss all those Cuban restaurants! Another Cuban dish to try is my Pressure Cooker Cuban Yoca Con Mojo recipe. How about Air Fryer Yuca Fries with a Creamy Curry Mustard Sauce? Memories, takes me back to Florida, when my dad was alive.

Make sure to buy the Yellow Plantains and allow them to get nice and black. The photo above is the minimum of blackness you would want; a bit blacker would be even better. The natural sugar in the Plantains will caramelize during cooking and make them even sweeter.

Remove the Skin from the Plantanos

Remove and discard the skin. The soft spots you see above, will be the sweetest and best part of the Platanos Maduros. This will give the darker color and chewiness to the finished Plantains.

Cut the Plantanos on the Diagonal

With a Sharp Knife, cut the Plantains on the Diagonal, about one-half inch thick. If you have never tried Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}, you are in for a major treat! These are one of my favorite Cuban side dishes of all time. Serve as a side dish with my Pressure Cooker Picadillo Stuffed Delicata Squash or with Grilled London Broil. They pair nicely with a Pork or Chicken and Mojo and are fabulous with my beloved, Pallomilla Steak {Bistec de Palomilla} (recipes coming soon).

Properly Seasoned Air Fryer Basket

Before using your Air Fryer, make sure you read my short article on how to Properly Prepare the Air Fryer for use. This method will considerably cut down on sticking issues. Make sure NEVER to use Pam when you season your Air Fryer Basket. It will leave behind a coating, that is impossible to remove. Coconut Oil, Crisco, Canola Oil, all work well.

Place Platanos in Air Fryer Basket

Place the Plantains into your Air Fryer Basket and give them a good spray, on both sides. Using my Fine Life Oil Mister, I find that I can spray, as much as I need, on one “charge.” I’ve gone through all kinds of Oil Misters and I am here to tell you, you need this Fine Life Oil Mister in your life. It is pricy, but, it works really well. One charge of the lid and bam, spray, spray, spray. No clogging and perfect, easy spray of oil, right where you want it.

Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains

This Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros} is one of the easiest recipes ever. There is no learning curve, no list of ingredients. Simple and sweet. Enjoy!

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

• Cosori 5.8 Quart Air Fryer
• J.A. Henckels 8 Inch Chef’s Knife

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Here is your handy printable recipe:

Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Caribbean, Cuban

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

• 2 very ripe Yellow Plantanos (peel should be black)
• 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Oil Mister

Instructions

• Remove peel from Plantanos and discard.  Cut Plantanos on the diagonal, into 1/2" thick slices.
• Place Plantanos into Greased/Prepared Air Fryer Basket.  Spray both sides generously using Oil Mister.
• Cook at 380 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping half way through.  Increase Air fryer to 400 degrees and cook another 5 minutes, or as needed.

Notes

Use Yellow Plantanos and allow to ripen, until the peel is almost completely black.

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Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}