Air fryer sweet plantains, also known as maduros, are one of the easiest ways to enjoy ripe plantains at home. As plantains ripen and turn yellow with dark spots, their natural sugars develop, making them perfect for cooking until soft, golden, and lightly caramelized.
This simple recipe uses just ripe plantains, oil, and salt. The air fryer helps them cook quickly while giving the edges a lightly crisp texture and the centers a soft, sweet bite. Sweet plantains are popular throughout Caribbean and Latin American cuisine and pair beautifully with rice, beans, tofu dishes, and savory bowls!
A Note From Kristen
Maduros are one of my favorite simple dishes to make. Whenever I find perfectly ripe plantains at the store, I know exactly what I’m going to do with them! This recipe comes together in just a few easy steps, yet the result is soft, golden, lightly caramelized plantains every time. I love serving them alongside savory mains like rice and beans, but honestly they’re just as good enjoyed on their own as a snack, or with a favorite dipping sauce. These sweet plantains always bring a little extra joy and sweetness to my table. I hope you love them too!
~Kristen
Ingredient Notes
Please keep in mind that this is just a quick overview. Visit the full recipe for amounts and instructions!
How to Air Fry Plantains
01
SLICE
Peel the plantains and cut them diagonally into ½-inch slices.
02
TOSS WITH OIL AND SALT
Place the plantain slices in a bowl and gently toss with the oil and salt until evenly coated.
03
ARRANGE
Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
04
AIR FRY
Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes.
05
FLIP
Flip the plantains and air fry for another 6 minutes, until golden and caramelized around the edges.
06
SERVE
Remove from the air fryer and serve warm. Enjoy!
Serving Ideas
- Serve with other Caribbean recipes like black beans and rice or arroz con coco.
- Use to top off grain bowls.
- Serve as part of a breakfast plate, or a sweet and savory snack board with chips and dips.
- Pair with butter bean salad or chickpea salad.
- Serve with my cream cheese fruit dip for a sweet snack.
- For dessert, serve with ice cream and top with toasted pecans or chocolate sauce.
Kristen’s Top Tips
- Peel plantains carefully using a sharp knife by cutting shallow slits along the length so not much flesh is removed along with the skin.
- Slice the plantains evenly, so they cook uniformly and brown at the same rate.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket so that hot air circulates well and every piece crisps up. Air fry in batches if needed.
- Always check the plantains to avoid burning. Very ripe plantains with more natural sugars will brown faster.
- Some of my favorite flavor variations include:
- Sprinkling with some cinnamon sugar after air frying.
- Adding a sprinkle of cayenne or chili powder before air frying.
- Topping with fresh lime zest or toasted shredded coconut before serving.
- Brushing with some maple syrup during the last 2-3 minutes of air frying for additional sweetness.
- Using coconut oil instead of avocado oil for a subtle tropical flavor.
How To Select Ripe Plantains
This recipe works best with super-ripe yellow plantains, which you can usually find in a grocery store. Here’s how to choose them:
- Look for yellow plantains with plenty of black spots, or even those with mostly black skins, but avoid those that are moldy or leaking. The darker its peel, the sweeter the plantain is. Avoid bright green plantains; they’re best for making savory patacones.
- You can also test for ripeness by gently squeezing the fruit. Ripe plantains should feel slightly tender when pressed, but not too mushy or collapsing. If they’re firm and hard, they’re not ripe yet.
- You can also check for wrinkles, as some wrinkling on the skin is a good sign of ripeness.
- Smell them! Ripe plantains should have a mild, sweet aroma, especially near the stem. Unripe plantains have almost no scent.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes You Might Love
Air Fryer Sweet Plantains (Maduros)
Ingredients
- 2 ripe yellow plantains yellow with lots of black spots or mostly black
- 1½ tablespoons neutral oil I like to use avocado oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Method
- Peel the plantains and slice them on a slight diagonal into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Add the plantain slices to a bowl and toss gently with the oil and salt until evenly coated.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece.
- Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes.
- Flip the plantains, then return them to the air fryer for another 6 minutes, until deeply golden and caramelized on the edges.
- Remove and serve warm with an optional sprinkle of flaked salt. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated using a third-party calculator and is an estimate only.
