15-Minute Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)

Sweet plantains or Platanos Maduros are made from ripe green plantains that are sliced and then fried until caramelized and crispy on the edges. Plantains are a staple in Cuban Cuisine and make the best side dish for just about any meal. Learn how to bring this sweet side dish to life with just 2 ingredients, minimal prep, and ready in 15 minutes!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 large ripe plantains ((the darker the skin, the sweeter they will be))
• Oil ((high smoke point))
• Salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Start by cutting the ends off the plantains with a sharp knife. Using the tip of the knife, make a shallow cut lengthwise along the plantain. Gently peel the skin off with your fingers. It should come off easily since they are soft (ripe).
2. 2Using a sharp knife, slice the plantains, diagonally, about 1/2-inch thick. Make sure they are all as close to the same size as possible so they cook evenly.
3. 3In a large nonstick skillet, heat enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet. The amount of oil depends on the size of your frying pan. It should be no more than 1/2 cup of oil. Keep in mind that sweet plantains absorb oil, so you may need to add more oil if frying multiple batches.
4. 4Over medium-high heat, pan-fry the sliced plantains until they're golden brown and the edges are crispy. Depending on the size and thickness of the slices, this can take anywhere from 3 minutes per side to 5 minutes per side.
5. 5Transfer the fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season them with salt and serve immediately. Enjoy!