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}, 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.

 

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 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.

 

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).

 

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 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.

 

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

• Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer
• J.A. Henckels 8 Inch Chef’s Knife

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