If you’ve never had maduros, you’re in for a treat! These sweet plantain bites are creamy and tender in the middle, while also being crisp on the outer edges, and can be served as a snack or side dish to the main course.

Plátanos Maduros Fritos, or just maduros, were a childhood favorite of mine and I’m so excited to finally get them up on our blog.

Plantains vs. Bananas

If you are new to plantains, you may often confuse them with bananas. Both plantains and bananas originate from Southeast Asia and are a part of the genus Musa, but key differences in flavor and usage set them apart.

Although there are many different kinds of bananas, in Western cultures, “banana” usually refers to the sweet, yellow variety.

Plantains are thicker and much larger in size than the “typical” bananas we know. They are also much more starchy, and not very sweet. Although they are fruit, plantains are not often consumed raw. They are more similar to vegetables in terms of how they are used, and are usually boiled, fried, or baked.

Choosing Ripe Plantains

For this recipe, you need to make sure your plantains are ripe. Unripe plantains start off green, and as they ripen, the skin starts turning yellow, and then black! The more black the skin of the plantain is, the sweeter the plantain. You can make maduros with ripe (a mix of yellow and black) or very ripe (all black) plantains, based on your preference or how soon you want/need to make them. 

If you’re looking for more Ecuadorian recipes, we’ve got you covered:

• Come y Bebe
• Vegan Llapingachos with Salsa de Maní (Ecuadorian Stuffed Potato Patties with Peanut Sauce)
• Vegan Locro De Papa (Ecuadorian Potato and Cheese Soup)
• Fried Cheese Empanadas

Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you recreate any of our recipes, we love to see your photos!

Plátanos Maduros Fritos (Fried Ripe Plantains)

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• Author: Jasmine @ Sweet Simple Vegan
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

If you’ve never had maduros, you’re in for a treat! These sweet plantain bites are creamy and tender in the middle, while also being crisp on the outer edges, and can be served as a snack or side dish to the main course.

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Ingredients

• Ripe plantains
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Salt (optional)

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Instructions

1. Fill a medium-sized pan with about 1-inch oil, or just enough for the plantains to float. Heat the oil over medium heat to about 350F.
2. Line a large plate or baking dish with paper towels. Set aside.
3. Peel and slice the plantains into ½ inch thick slices— you can cut the plantain diagonally or in half and slice lengthwise.
4. Add the plantains to the hot oil and cook until golden on each side. They will cook fast so keep an eye on them! Flip them as soon as they are golden so they don’t burn.
5. Transfer the plantains to the paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Sprinkle with salt, if desired. Serve warm

Notes

• They are best when eating fresh but are still good for a few days if you store them in an airtight container.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Side
• Method: Pan-Fried
• Cuisine: Ecuadorian

Keywords: platanos, maduros, plantains, fried, ecuadorian, snack, side