If you haven’t cooked with plantains much, oh my, you’re in for a ride. I’ve gathered 20 incredible recipes that’ll sweep your taste buds right off to the islands. Think crispy, creamy, sweet, savory, and everything in between.
1. Sweet Plantain Gnocchi with Garlic Brown Butter
Plantains and potatoes are practically cousins, so turning them into gnocchi? Totally logical.
The dough comes together fast: mashed cooked plantains, ricotta, a pinch of salt and pepper, and flour. Start mixing in a bowl, then finish with a light knead on the counter until it’s just right.
2. Empanadas de Plátano Maduro (Ripe Plantain Empanadas with Cheese)
Traditional empanadas usually rely on a pastry dough, but this version brings ripe plantains right into the mix for extra flavor and a little nutritional boost. Keep things classic with just cheese melting inside, or get a little fancy with a swipe of guava paste. I’m telling you, the sweet and savory combo is irresistible.
3. Pastelón (Sweet Plantain Lasagna)
Zucchini lasagna? Sure, we’ve all seen that.
But plantain lasagna? That was a new one for me too.
You’ll layer sweet plantains with Cuban style picadillo, that spiced ground beef stew, or get creative with leftover pulled pork like I’ve done. The plantains are amazing with the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that mixes in.
4. Plantain Fufu
Plantain fufu is one of those wonderfully unique dishes I think you’re going to love. It starts with green plantains blended with a splash of water until silky smooth, then cooked on the stove and worked with a wooden spoon until thick and satisfying.
The flavor is mild, which pairs beautifully with a brothy soup or stew, like obe ata. It’s all about the texture, and it’s a comforting, authentic staple.
5. Mashed Plantains—Sweet & Savory
Let’s be clear: these aren’t your average mashed potatoes. They’ve got a chunky, funky personality that I absolutely adore.
If ultra smooth and velvety is what you’re after, you’ll want to mash them a bit longer and stir in a splash of cream to get that silky texture. Plantains are super starchy, so don’t hold back on the flavor, they need more than just butter and salt to taste their best.
6. Spicy Plantain Black Bean Tacos
I’m calling it: these spicy plantain black bean tacos are my absolute favorite in the whole roundup. Meatless Monday doesn’t have to be boring, and this recipe has totally reignited my excitement for plant based meals.
Ripe plantains bring a natural sweetness, then they get tossed in a dusting of cinnamon, a kick of cayenne, and earthy cumin that brings warmth and heat to every bite. They’re sticky, spicy, and unbelievably satisfying.
7. Sweet & Smoky Plantain Stew
This stew is a beautiful mashup that’s tricky to pin down. It borrows chili vibes with cumin, bell peppers, and beans, but then coconut milk, lime juice, and plantains sweep in and make it bright and tropical. I like using canned tomatoes with green chiles for a gentle kick, and I leave the olives out because I think they’d steal the spotlight from all those lovely flavors.
8. Plantain Nachos
Wondering what to do with a pile of those salted plantain chips? Turn them into the most epic nachos!
Swap out the usual tortilla chips for plantain chips to pile on all that cheesy, loaded goodness. Green plantain chips are the way to go here for maximum crunch.
9. 3-Ingredient Plantain Tortillas
Confession: corn tortillas aren’t always my favorite. Sometimes they’re just a little too dry, so I usually reach for flour.
But these plantain tortillas? They’ve completely won me over.
They’re perfectly pliable and sturdy, with that ideal softness, and yes, they’re gluten free too. Just three ingredients stand between you and taco night bliss.
10. Crazy Easy Pan-Fried Plantain Pattie
Say hello to the easiest little plantain patties! They’re naturally gluten free and pair wonderfully with scrambled eggs at breakfast or a juicy pork tenderloin at dinner.
Filling and flavorful, they can easily stand in for your go to potato side. Sure, there are carbs, but you’re also getting a boost of vitamins and minerals that potatoes just don’t offer.
11. Coconut Sugar Caramelized Plantains
Need a quick, somewhat healthy dessert that’s ready in a flash? These caramelized plantains are the answer.
You’ll want the ripest plantains you can find, the ones with black, spotty skins that promise maximum sweetness. I use coconut sugar for a deeper caramel note, but brown sugar works beautifully too, and white sugar will do in a pinch.
12. Caribbean Plantain & Avocado Salad
This salad is a revelation for barbecue season, swapping out those heavy potato salads for something fresh and vibrant. Since most stores stock only green plantains, plan ahead: let them hang out in the sunshine for a few days to ripen.
Once they’re beautifully spotted and sweet, you’ll fry the slices until caramelized and tender, then toss them with creamy avocado. It’s a sunny, feel good side dish.
13. Healthy Plantain Muffins
I baked a batch of these the other day, thinking they’d last all week for quick breakfasts. Spoiler alert: they vanished in record time!
I was honestly blown away by how tender, sweet, and moist they turned out. They’re studded with dried cranberries, and I tossed in chocolate chips and chopped pecans just for fun, the original recipe doesn’t call for them, but trust me, it’s a good move.
14. Vegan Plantain Brownies
Plantains work just like bananas to add moisture to your baking, but they bring way less sweetness. That’s actually a win for brownies. You end up with a rich, fudgy chocolate treat that’s subtly earthy and even more decadent, without that overpowering banana flavor.
15. Baked Plantains
Unlike the thinner chips, these baked plantains are cut thick and have a lovely bite to them. The outside gets all crispy and golden, while the inside stays wonderfully tender. Enjoy them plain with your favorite dip, or shake on some cayenne for heat or cinnamon for sweetness, you do you.
16. Baked Plantain Chips
You know those moments when you’re craving something salty and sweet, all at once? That’s exactly why I’m obsessed with these baked plantain chips.
Ripe plantains plus a sprinkle of flaky sea salt gives you that irresistible salty sweet magic. Slice them nice and thin for the ultimate crunch.
17. Chocolate Chip Plantain Cookies
They’re paleo, vegan, and free of gluten, grains, dairy, and eggs, and yet they come together so easily. They won’t mimic a classic bakery cookie, but if you’re dodging certain ingredients or just want a lower sugar treat, they’re absolutely worth it. The texture lands somewhere between fudgy and cakey, and I find them completely irresistible.
18. Easy and Delicious Plantain Bread
At first glance you’d swear it was a classic banana bread. But plantains aren’t nearly as sweet as bananas, so even though you’re using familiar ingredients and steps, the result is beautifully mellow.
It’s easy, delicious, and has a subtle charm all its own. I love it when I’m craving a quick bread that’s a little more interesting.
19. Traditional Plantain Mofongo
Straight from Puerto Rico, mofongo is a hearty blend of mashed green plantains, garlic, and crispy pork cracklings. It’s satisfying enough to stand alone, but I love it paired with a little extra
20. Crispy Salted Tostones
Oh, tostones! These crispy, flattened plantain chips are a beloved snack all across the Caribbean and Latin America.
You’ll want to grab green, unripe plantains here (skip the sweet yellow ones) because these are all about that salty crunch. A double fry is the secret to getting them impossibly crisp, and a generous shower of flaky sea salt at the end is non negotiable.