Homemade Plantain Chips 3-Ways

Plantain Chips are a delicious, crispy savoury snack made 3 ways with just 3 ingredients. Whether you enjoy them fried, baked or air fried, these versatile Caribbean chips are a tasty, gluten-free, AIP friendly and healthier alternative to classic potato chips.

For more Jamaican snack recipes, try Grater Cake, Roast Breadfruit and Jamaican Bammy.

Plantain Chips

Homemade plantain chips are a salty, crunchy snack that is addictingly good. Not only are they absolutely delicious, but they are also incredibly easy to make. With three different cooking options, the longest method is still ready in less than 30 minutes!

Growing up as a kid in a Jamaican household, green plantain chips were a constant pantry item. We would never leave the West Indian grocery store without a few bags of these crunchy snacks.

Now as a grown adult, nothing beats homemade plantain chips. Making these from scratch are now core memory for my daughter and I.

It’s a simple, yummy, affordable snack that you can make whenever the craving strikes!

Here’s Why You’ll Love These Plantain Chips Recipes

• Healthy Snack – they are the healthier version of potato chips so you can enjoy this snack guilt-free. They are naturally vegan paleo-friendly, gluten-free and Whole 30 compliant. You can also enjoy it as part of an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet.
• Better Than Storebought – you have seen varieties on grocery store shelves like Trader Joe’s but nothing beats the taste of fresh plantain chips! Plus, they don’t have added sugar or preservatives.
• Versatile – this recipe includes 3 different cooking methods to better suit your dietary needs. There are also plenty of ways to season and serve plantain chips.
• Perfect Snack – the sweet and savoury flavour combination, along with the satisfying crunch is an all-in-one treat to satisfy all your tastebuds desires!

What is a Plantain?

Plantains are part of the banana family. They are native to warm, tropical climates like West Africa and the Caribbean. They are a food staple across the Caribbean; from Puerto Rico to Jamaica. And although they are a fruit, they are often used as a vegetable in recipes because of their savoury taste. (Check out this Fried Plantains Recipe.)

Although they look similar to bananas, the flavours are distinctly different. In comparison, plantains contain more starch and are more savoury than sweet. They are also larger than bananas with thicker skin.

Plantain Origin

Plantains originated in the subtropics of Southeast Asia. Through trade routes, plantains made their way to Africa and eventually the Caribbean islands.

What Does Plantain Taste Like?

They have a mild flavour and are not as sweet as regular bananas.

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

• Plantain – this fruit goes through a variety of stages, however the best kind to use is the green or slightly ripe plantain as pictured.
• Seasoning – I simply use salt (season to taste) and cayenne pepper (optional) for a kick of spice. However, feel free to experiment and try out new flavour combinations that intrigue you.
• Vegetable Oil – for frying. Oils like canola, sunflower, safflower, or soybean oil are popular frying oils as they have high smoke points and neutral flavours, making them optimal for frying. Olive oIl and coconut oil are also other common ones.

How to Make Plantain Chips

Fried Plantain Chips

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high, add plantain with a sprinkle of salt and fry until the plantain has reached a golden brown colour, flipping once, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the chips from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Oven Baked Plantain Chips

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) then line a baking tray or baking sheet with parchment paper and place the plantain slices on the tray in a single layer.

Sprinkle with sea salt and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden around the edges and crispy, flipping at the halfway point.

Air Fryer Plantain Chips

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and spray the air-fryer basket with cooking oil. Add the plantain slices to the air fryer basket in a single layer being sure not to overcrowd.

Sprinkle with sea salt and air fry for 10 minutes to 15 minutes, or until golden around the edges flipping at the halfway point for even crisping.

Green Plantains vs. Yellow Plantains

Plantain chips are made with either green plantains or yellow plantains. Green plantains or “unripe plantains” are harder and tougher to peel. Light green to yellow plantains are best for chips.

The riper the plantain, the more yellow it will be in appearance. And the more ripe they become, the sweeter they are (although they are not nearly as sweet as bananas).

What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)

• Large Skillet – use this to make fried plantain chips. You want to ensure it is deep and wide enough to hold the oil and the slices.
• Sharp Knife or Mandolin – to slice plantains into even thickness.
• Air-Fryer – to make air fryer plantain chips.
• Oven – to make oven baked plantain chips.

Mandoline vs. Sharp Knife

Slice plantains with either a mandolin or a very sharp knife. Although a mandolin is faster, a sharp knife will get you similar results.

Personally, I prefer using a mandolin as it gives you consistent results. Using a knife certainly will yield similar results but you will need to be more conscious of the thickness of each slice.

Also, please remember that a mandolin has an extremely sharp blade, so be careful when slicing.

How to Cut Plantain Chips

Plantains are sliced thinly and evenly to make chips. The thinner you slice them, the faster they cook. This also results in crispier banana chips.

To make the chips, first peel the plantain by cutting off both ends with a sharp knife. Then cut a slit down the outer side of each plantain (lengthwise or vertically), and continue to remove the peel with your hands.

Next, slice the plantains into rounds, about 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick. If they are cut too thin they will be too crispy and burn. Set the sliced plantains aside until you are ready to cook.

How to Season Plantain Chips

Although they are mouthwatering with just a sprinkle of salt, plantain chips can be seasoned however you like. Here are some tasty suggestions.

• Jerk Seasoning – sprinkle this blend of spicy, sweet aromatic island flavour over hot plantain chips.
• Taco Seasoning – a bold blend of smoky, spicy, savoury flavours that’s reminiscent of the popular Mexican dish.
• Chili Lime – use chili powder and lime juice for a smoky, citrusy flavour.
• BBQ seasoning – make a heartier, healthier version of BBQ chips when you use this.
• Seasoning Salt – this is a delicious way to add a boost of flavour to the chips; it’ll take them above average! Alternatively, try using All Purpose Seasoning.

What to Serve with Plantain Chips

• Dips – use them like regular chips, and serve with Homemade Guacamole or salsa like Easy Pico De Gallo (Salsa Fresca)and Summer Mango Pineapple Salsa.
• Sandwiches – use them as a replacement for fries, as a side dish for burgers, wraps and sandwiches for recipes like Jerk Burgers and Jerk Turkey Wrap
• Nachos – use them as the foundation for nachos, piling on ground beef, cheese, sour cream and all the works!
• Chutneys and Relishes – mango chutney can compliment the plantain chips very well.

Recipe Notes and Tips for Success

• Choose the Right Plantains: for best results, use green or slightly ripe (yellow) plantains for crispy plantain chips. You can also use ripe plantains which are sweeter and softer variation and are better suited for sweet plantain chips.
• Even Thickness – slice into thin slices, evenly, so they cook at an even rate and crisp up properly.
• Maintain Oil Temperature – once you add the plantain slices to the oil the temperature will dip. Monitor and adjust the oil temperature throughout the frying process and maintain a temp around 350 degrees °F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C).
• Season Immediately: while the chips are still hot, sprinkle with salt or your preferred seasoning for best results.
• Aim for Golden Brown – as soon as they chips turn golden brown, remove them from direct heat as they will continue to crisp up as they cool.
• Drain – use a paper towel or wire rack to remove any excess oil.
• Enjoy while Warm – these are best enjoyed while they are still fresh and warm. I doubt you’ll be able to wait anyways!

Can I Make this Ahead of Time?

Although these are best enjoyed fresh, they store fairly well. See below for storage instructions.

Storage Instructions

Once the plantain chips have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. They will keep fresh for up to one week at room temperature.

To ensure maximum freshness, keep in mind the following:

• Avoid moisture to maintain crispiness.
• Be mindful of seasonings, the taste can change over time.
• Keep in mind the room temperature as high humidity can cause the chips to become soft and lose it’s crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Interested in more Jamaican Recipes? Check These Out!

• Brown Stew Salmon
• How to Make Soursop Juice
• Peanut Punch
• Jamaican Breakfast Ideas
• Peanut Porridge
• Gizzada
• Fried Plantains Recipe
  Jamaican Green Banana Porridge
  Jamaican Poke Bowl

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