Plantains are one of those ingredients that never stop surprising me. Crispy and salty one moment, caramelized and sweet the next, they can do it all.
That’s why I rounded up 20 plantain recipes that bring a little island magic to your kitchen. They’re all ridiculously good.
1. Easy and Delicious Plantain Bread
At first glance you'd swear this was a classic banana bread, but it has its own mellow personality. Plantains aren't as sweet as bananas, so the loaf comes out more laid back and subtle, though the sugar and vanilla keep it just sweet enough. It's the kind of bread that makes your whole kitchen smell like something magical.
2. Caribbean Plantain & Avocado Salad
This salad is a fresh, bright breath of air compared to the heavy mayo laden potato salads that show up at every cookout. Most stores only sell green plantains, so I grab them a few days early and let them ripen in a sunny spot. Once they're soft and sweet, I fry them up until caramelized, and then the whole salad just clicks.
3. Sweet & Smoky Plantain Stew
This stew lives somewhere between a
4. Plantain Fufu
Plantain fufu is one of those quietly wonderful dishes that doesn't steal the show but holds everything together. I blend green plantains with just a little water until smooth, then cook it on the stove and beat it with a wooden spoon until it turns starchy and satisfying.
It keeps things mild on purpose, so I always serve it alongside a deeply savory stew like obe ata. I love how simple it is.
5. Healthy Plantain Muffins
I baked a batch of these muffins, planning to have breakfast ready for days, but they vanished in record time. They came out so tender, sweet, and beautifully moist.
I loaded them with dried cranberries, and I couldn't resist tossing in chocolate chips and chopped pecans for a little extra fun. Honestly, they were a revelation.
6. Pastelón (Sweet Plantain Lasagna)
You've probably seen zucchini lasagna, but plantain lasagna? That was a new one for me, and wow.
You layer up sweet plantains with Cuban style picadillo, or I've even used leftover pulled pork when that's what I had on hand. The plantains soak up that sweet and tangy BBQ sauce in the most incredible way.
7. Traditional Plantain Mofongo
Mofongo is pure Puerto Rican comfort: mashed green plantains punched up with garlic and crispy pork rinds. It's hearty enough to stand on its own, but I've served it alongside a protein and even plopped it into soup like a savory plantain dumpling. So satisfying.
8. Spicy Plantain Black Bean Tacos
These tacos are honestly my favorite of the bunch. My meatless Monday game had been slacking until I stumbled on this combo, and now I've got my groove back.
Ripe plantains bring the sweetness, then I toss them in cinnamon, cayenne, and cumin so every bite is warm and spicy. That's my kind of taco night.
9. 3 Ingredient Plantain Tortillas
I'll be honest, corn tortillas often leave me wanting. They're a little dry for my taste, so I'm usually team flour.
But these three ingredient plantain tortillas hit that sweet spot of soft yet sturdy, and they happen to be gluten free. I'm never going back.
10. Chocolate Chip Plantain Cookies
These cookies check all the boxes: paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and crazy easy to whip up. They're not trying to be a crumbly bakery cookie; they're fudgy and cakey in the best possible way.
If you're avoiding certain ingredients or just want something lower in sugar, you have to try them. I find them completely irresistible.
11. Plantain Nachos
Got a mountain of salted plantain chips? Turn them into the most glorious nachos.
Swapping in plantain chips for tortilla chips makes everything feel a little more special, and I love using the green plantain ones for that extra sturdy crunch. Load them up with all your favorite toppings and watch them disappear.
12. Sweet Plantain Gnocchi with Garlic Brown Butter
Since plantains are so potato like, it only makes sense to turn them into pillowy gnocchi. The dough comes together fast with mashed cooked plantains, ricotta, salt, pepper, and a scoop of flour.
I start mixing it in a bowl, then tip it onto the counter to knead until it's just right. Tossed in garlic brown butter, these are dreamy.
13. Crazy Easy Pan Fried Plantain Pattie
These pan fried plantain patties are my go to gluten free side for morning eggs or a juicy slice of pork tenderloin. They're hearty and satisfying enough to kick your favorite potato dish right off the plate, but they pack way more vitamins and minerals. I make them on repeat.
14. Mashed Plantains—Sweet & Savory
Mashed plantains march to their own beat. They're chunky and funky, not the silky smooth something you might expect from mashed potatoes.
I actually love that rustic texture, but if you're after velvety, you'll want to mash them a good while longer and stir in a splash of cream. Since plantains are super starchy, don't skimp on the seasonings. They need a lot more love than plain butter and salt.
15. Coconut Sugar Caramelized Plantains
When you need a dessert that's fast and feels a little virtuous, these caramelized plantains answer the call. You'll want the plantains that are practically black and spotty, so they're deeply sweet. Coconut sugar adds a lovely caramel note, but regular brown sugar works beautifully, too, if that's what's in your pantry.
16. Crispy Salted Tostones
Tostones are those irresistible crispy fried plantain chips you find all over the Caribbean and Latin America. You want green plantains for these, not the sweet yellow kind, because the double fry turns them into shatteringly crisp little discs. A generous sprinkle of sea salt at the end makes them impossible to stop eating.
17. Vegan Plantain Brownies
Plantains work the same moisture magic as bananas in baking, but they don't bully the flavor with too much sweetness. That makes them perfect for vegan brownies, where you get that fudgy richness without an overpowering banana note. The result is deeply chocolatey and decadent.
18. Baked Plantains
These baked plantains are cut nice and thick, so you get a crispy shell giving way to a tender, almost creamy middle. Eat them plain with your favorite dip, or shower them with cayenne for heat or cinnamon for a cozy sweet twist. It's all about your mood.
19. Baked Plantain Chips
I get those salty sweet cravings all the time, the kind where only chips and chocolate will do. These baked plantain chips hit that exact note when you use ripe plantains and finish them with a flurry of sea salt. Slice them super thin and they crisp up like a dream.
20. Empanadas de Plátano Maduro (Ripe Plantain Empanadas with Cheese)
Empanadas get a little island glow up here with ripe plantains folded right into the dough for extra flavor and goodness. Keep them simple with melty cheese, or go next level with a dollop of guava paste. I promise you'll be so happy you did.