Skip to Content

Caramelized Sweet Plantains aka Platanos Maduros

Caramelized Sweet Plantains aka Platanos Maduros

These caramelized sweet plantains aka platanos maduros are a delicious treat the whole family will love! If you’ve never made sweet plantains there’s a few tricks to the trade…but I’m here to help!

Sweet Plantains aka Platanos Maduros
Maduros are sweet plantains that are fried until they’re caramelized and golden brown – they’re perfect as a side dish or filling for empanadas.

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for quick and tasty recipes that the whole family will love. And let me tell you, sweet plantains should definitely be on your radar. These babies are a staple ingredient in many Latin American and Caribbean dishes, and they’re super versatile and easy to cook with.

It wasn’t until I met my husband and we went to visit his parents that I discovered plantains.  See, my husband is from Puerto Rico and his family eats plantains at just about every meal, so I tried them, was shocked that I liked them so much, and began making them all the time.

sweet plantains aka maduros 3 Caramelized Sweet Plantains aka Platanos Maduros These caramelized sweet plantains aka platanos maduros are a delicious treat the whole family will love! If you've never made sweet plantains there's a few tricks to the trade...but I'm here to help!

Are Sweet Plantains the Same as Bananas?

Plantains are part of the banana family, they grow on trees, they look like bananas, they peel almost like bananas (much tougher), but DON’T try to eat one like a banana…YUCK-O!  See, plantains must be cooked, they can not be eaten raw like bananas, and they taste nothing like bananas (I’m not a big fan of bananas but I LOVE plantains!).

The History of Sweet Plantains

So apparently sweet plantains have been around for ages – they originally hail from Southeast Asia and were brought over to the Americas by Spanish and Portuguese traders during colonial times. Since then, they’ve become a beloved ingredient in many traditional dishes like mofongo and tostones.

But you don’t have to be a Latin American or Caribbean cuisine expert to appreciate sweet plantains – they can be used in all sorts of dishes, both sweet and savory.

Sweet plantains can be used in a bunch of different dishes, both sweet and savory. My personal favorites include tostones, platanos maduros, and plantain chips.

Cooking with Sweet Plantains

Cooking with sweet plantains is surprisingly easy and fuss-free. First things first, make sure you choose ripe plantains – they should be yellow with black spots.

If they’re too green, they’ll be starchy and hard to peel. Speaking of peeling, to get those suckers ready for cooking, simply cut off the ends and make a slit down the length of the fruit, then use your fingers to gently peel off the skin.

sweet plantains aka maduros 2 Caramelized Sweet Plantains aka Platanos Maduros These caramelized sweet plantains aka platanos maduros are a delicious treat the whole family will love! If you've never made sweet plantains there's a few tricks to the trade...but I'm here to help!
Tostones are made by slicing plantains and frying them twice until they’re crispy, then you season them with salt.

Tostones are a popular snack and side dish in many Latin American and Caribbean countries. They’re made by slicing green plantains, frying them, smashing them flat, and then frying them again until they’re crispy and golden brown.

Cooking Platanos Maduros

Sweet plantains aka maduros
Platanos Maduros are sweet plantains that are fried until they’re caramelized and golden brown – they’re perfect as a side dish or filling for empanadas.

Platanos maduros are sweet plantains that have been allowed to ripen until they’re almost black in color. They’re a popular side dish in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, and are often served alongside savory dishes like rice and beans or grilled meat. To prepare platanos maduros, they’re usually sliced and fried until they’re caramelized and tender.

Personally, I prefer to make platanos maduros by baking them instead of frying…they taste almost the same but without all the extra fat from frying. Simply slice them into rounds and pop them in the oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until they’re tender and golden brown.

All in all, sweet plantains are a fun and tasty ingredient that can add a little pizzazz to your meal routine. So the next time you’re looking for something new and exciting to whip up for dinner or snack time, grab some sweet plantains and get cookin’!

Crock Pot Puerto Rican Beef Stew Recipe
This crock pot Puerto Rican beef stew recipe is a delicious one dish meal packed full of island flavors like Adobo and Sazon!
Arroz con Pollo- Chicken and Rice dinner
Looking for a delicious Puerto Rican staple? This arroz con pollo is the perfect comfort food!
Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole
You can either roll the enchiladas or layer this dish casserole style for a delicious and simple dinner. Try this sour cream chicken enchilada casserole for dinner tonight!
King Ranch Chicken Recipe
With layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas, King Ranch Chicken is a dish that’s sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe
Make this homemade chicken taco seasoning to flavor all sorts of dishes!
4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
Keep it simple with this 4 ingredient guacamole recipe. Fresh ingredients and 5 minutes is all it takes!
Crockpot chicken recipe - an easy slow cooker chicken breast recipe
This crockpot ranch chicken recipe is creamy and flavorful! It’s the perfect slow cooker chicken breast recipe for busy nights!
southern baked corn casserole recipe
This southern creamy baked corn casserole recipe is a staple at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory!
spanish lime soup 3 3 Caramelized Sweet Plantains aka Platanos Maduros These caramelized sweet plantains aka platanos maduros are a delicious treat the whole family will love! If you've never made sweet plantains there's a few tricks to the trade...but I'm here to help!
This delicious and easy slow cooker chicken soup has a zesty twist the whole family will love!
Ground Turkey Stir Fry Recipe
Make this ground turkey stir fry recipe on a busy weeknight for a quick and simple dinner.
Pesto Chicken Recipe
This pesto chicken with tomatoes and mozzarella is perfect served over spaghetti noodles for a simple, healthy meal!
Tuna Tetrazzini Recipe
This Tuna Tetrazzini Recipe is a healthier version of a classic favorite. With creamy sauce and fresh tuna…you’ll be hooked!
 
 
 
 
 
 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.