Cheese and Ripe Plantain Balls [Video+Recipe] Bolitas de Plátano Maduro

Learn how to make the best bolitas de plátano maduro, tasty ripe plantain balls, covered in crispy cheese and oozing with a melted cheese center. As a bonus point, they are made in the oven or air fryer.

📝 Ingredients

• 3 plantain ((ripe, yellow) (see notes))
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing hands)
• 1 cup hard mozzarella (diced [0.34 kg])
• 1/2 cup ground Parmesan or Pecorino
• 2 tablespoons salted butter ((salted) at room temperature, to grease tray)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- 1. Cooking plantains ---
2. 2Cooking plantains: Cook in the microwave unpeeled for 4 minutes. Remove the peel (careful not to burn yourself). Remove the center of the plantain (looks like a nerve) and mash until there are no lumps. Cool to room temperature.
3. 3--- 2. Making balls ---
4. 4Making balls: Grease your hands with the oil. Make small balls (about a tablespoon of plantain puree). Poke a hollow in the ball and put a piece of mozzarella in it. Form a ball around it. Repeat until you finish with all the mashed plantains. Resist eating them now.
5. 5--- 3. Covering with Parmesan ---
6. 6Covering with Parmesan: Cover with Parmesan or Pecorino, making as thick a layer as you can. Place the balls on a greased tray and freeze hard (about 4 hours).
7. 7--- 4. Baking ---
8. 8Baking: Bake in preheated oven to 400 ºF [200 ºC] for 15 mins, or until they are golden brown outside and remove from the oven.
9. 9--- 5. Serving ---
10. 10Serving: Serve warm.