Air Fryer Cuban Plantains, platanos maduros in Spanish, is a popular side dish. Sticky and sweet version, made with very ripe plantains.
Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}
Air Fryer Cuban 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.
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Ingredients for Air Fryer Plantains
- Plantains
- Oil
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
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.
Air Fryer Plantains is a popular side dish, which is enjoyed on a regular basis, along side other Cuban dishes. Another popular Cuban side 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.
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 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 Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking, 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 Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking 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!
More Cuban Recipes to Make:
- Pressure Cooker Lechón Asado {Cuban Pork with Mojo}
- Pasta de Bocaditos Jamón Low Carb Cuban Ham Spread/Dip
- Pressure Cooker Cuban Yuca Con Mojo {Cassava}
- Pressure Cooker Cuban Black Beans {Frijoles Negros}
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer
- J.A. Henckels 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
- Olive Oil Sprayer / Mister for Cooking
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Here is your handy printable recipe:
Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}
Print Pin Save RateIngredients
- 2 Yellow Plantanos (plantains should be very ripe and the peel should be mostly black, but not solid black)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Instructions
- Remove peel from plantains and discard.
- Cut plantains on the diagonal, into 1/2" thick slices.
- Use oil mister or a rag with oil and grease bottom of air fryer basket.
- Place plantains into greased air fryer basket.
- Spray plantains well using oil mister. (If you do not have an oil mister, dip plantains into a bowl of oil and then place into air fryer basket)
- Cook at 380 degrees for 5 minutes on each side, spraying each side with oil after flipping plantains over.
- Increase temperature to 400 degrees and cook for another 3 minutes on each side, spraying oil each time the plantains are flipped.
Notes
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Air Fryer Cuban Sweet Plantains {Platanos Maduros}
