Baked plantains offer a delicious, lower‑oil alternative to frying while delivering the same sweet, caramelized flavor. They work beautifully as a side dish, an appetizer with your favorite dip, or a simple snack. They’re also tasty alongside omelets at breakfast—plantains are surprisingly versatile.
I’m a big fan of plantains in practically every form—sweet, savory, baked or fried. While I do love the crispy exterior and tender interior that frying creates, baking is a great way to enjoy similar flavors with less oil and fewer calories.
Fried plantains are irresistible, but baking them lets you indulge more often without worrying about excess oil. This baked plantains recipe is simple, fast, and yields sweet, slightly crisp slices that are perfect warm from the oven.
Best Plantains for Baking
For baked plantains, choose ripe (yellow) plantains that are still firm to the touch. They hold their shape and develop a pleasing texture when baked. If you prefer a sweeter result, pick overripe plantains that are soft and heavily yellow or speckled—these will caramelize more deeply.
How to Bake Plantains
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Peel the plantains. Use a paring knife to score from top to bottom, then lift the peel away and remove the flesh.
3. Slice the plantains diagonally into approximately 1/4‑inch (6 mm) thick slices for more surface area and even baking.
4. Place the slices in a bowl, drizzle with about 1 teaspoon of oil, add a pinch of salt, and toss to coat evenly.
5. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, flip each slice, then bake an additional 5 minutes, or until the edges are slightly crisp and the centers are tender. Serve warm.
When baked, plantains develop a lightly crunchy exterior with a sweet, chewy interior. They pair well with savory mains, soups, stews, or simply with a dipping sauce as a snack.
Other Ways to Bake Plantains
– Slice plantains into sticks and bake them as healthy plantain fries for a snack or side.
– Cut plantains lengthwise and grill or broil them to create oven‑grilled plantains with a smoky, caramelized finish.
Baked Plantains
Ingredients
- 2 ripe (yellow) plantains
- 1 teaspoon oil
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Peel the plantains by scoring the peel top to bottom with a paring knife, then lifting the skin away.
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Slice the plantains diagonally into 1/4‑inch thick slices.
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Place slices in a bowl, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat evenly.
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Arrange the slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, then bake another 5 minutes. Remove and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Additional Info
