Crispy air fryer plantain chips are the missing ingredient in your healthy, clean eating lifestyle! Make a batch of this easy Latin American staple as a snack, or enjoy homemade plantain chips with salsa as your next appetizer.
Plantains or plátanos are a staple fruit in any Colombian kitchen. In fact, my husband’s Colombian family will prepare plantains in just about every way imaginable and serve them any chance they get. But, I’m definitely not complaining. Plantains are sweet and comforting or salty and crunchy and crispy, depending on how you choose to prepare them. And while I don’t like to play favorites, plátano chips may just be my favorite plantain recipe.
In Colombia, plátano chips are usually fried, but I adapted the traditional recipe to make them even healthier - plantain chips in the air fryer. This variation is faster and healthier, yet just as appetizing.
Make air fryer plantain chips next time you're craving a delicious snack, and discover why this Latin treat is so much better for you than deep fryer potato chips, or even tortilla chips. Try them as a healthy alternative to potato chips next time you want a small treat.
What are plantains?
Plantains are large fruits that closely resemble bananas. When ripe, plantains are dark yellow and very sweet, but green and starchy before that point. Plantains are used throughout South America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia for a variety of sweet and savory recipes.
Are plantain chips healthy?
Plantains themselves are very good for you, with tons of potassium, Vitamin C and A, and magnesium. They’re also low in fat and high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. These easy air fryer plantain chips retain all of the nutrients of plantains without needing to deep fry them. These healthy plantain chips are a nutritious snack that’ll impress just about anyone.
If you're worried about calories, fat or simply too much oil, cooking plantain in the air fryer oven with little to no oil is a great time saving and fat-cutting technique!
For more plantain recipes, try my plantain latkes.
What do plantain chips taste like?
In many ways, crispy plantain chips look just like salty, savory banana chips! They are super thin and quite honestly addictive in their crunch. Their flavor can also change based on the seasonings you use. In many ways, plantain chips are a clean slate!
Air fried plantain chips are a great way to enjoy the sensation of biting into a crunchy crisp, but without the extra fat and calories.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED to make 2-ingredient plantain chips
- 2 medium green plantains - you need to use green plantains for this recipe. Green plantains are less sweet, and maintain their texture better than ripe yellow or brown plantains.
- Oil spray - choose whatever brand you like, but avocado oil spray is the healthiest option. You can also drizzle a bit of grapeseed oil in the air fryer basket.
- Salt and pepper (optional) - depending on your dietary restrictions, you may want to use no salt at all
- Spices (chili flakes, cumin, coriander) (optional) - optional, but helps give your plantain chips more flavor - and spice often helps fool our taste respectacles into not missing the salt, so try using sodium-free spices before adding salt!
See recipe cards for exact quantities.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Air fryer liners
- Cutting board
- Mandoline or sharp knife
- Mixing bowl
How to Make Plantain Chips
Peel plantains
Cut off the ends of the plantain. To peel the plantain, score the skin lengthwise without damaging the flesh. Then peel the plantain.
Slice plantains
Slice the plantain into diagonal slices of about ¼-inch in thickness. You can use a knife for this, or a mandoline - just watch your fingers as you do so!
(If you're in the market for a vegetable slicer or a mandoline, this one is inexpensive. I have the green version of the benriner mandoline, which is the classic Japanese model).
Some people also like to cut the plantain in half before slicing it.
Air fry plantains until golden brown
Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Arrange plantain chips in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without any overlap.
Air fry plantains at 370 F degrees for 6-8 minutes. Turn the slices over to the other side and cook for an additional 5 minutes. They should be golden brown all over when finished.
Season plantain chips
This next step is purely optional, and depends on your dietary restrictions.
If you are watching your salt, plantain chips are delicious as is. Pairing them with salsa gives them and amazing flavor!
But before you add salt, try adding your favorite spices to your plantain chips. This will give the chips seasoning and nuanced flavor without addium sodium.
Storage
Air fryer plantain chips are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer, but can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. To reheat, place homemade chips back in the air fryer for just a few minutes - though they're better enjoyed in room temperature.
Top Tips
● Spread the plantain chips out. When you place the plantain chips into the air fryer basket, be sure to space them apart. The extra room allows for more air circulation to make a crispier texture. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to fry the plantain chips in multiple batches.
● Create thin slices. The key to these air fryer plantain chips is thin slices of plantains. For the best results, I like to use a mandoline to cut the plantain for it to fry evenly.
Variations
● Sweet plantain chips - If you’re looking for a sweet treat, then try making sweet chips from plantains instead. Follow the same instructions, but use ripe, yellow plantains rather than green. You can cover your sweet plantain chips in cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with melted chocolate.
● Savory spices - One of the best things about plantain chips is their versatility - they’re tasty with almost any flavor combination. Try making these air fryer plantain chips with whatever spice blends you prefer, like salt and vinegar, ranch seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or a bit of ancho chile pepper powder and fresh lime.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a savory, salty plantain chip, you’ll want to choose a slightly unripe, green plantain. If you’re making sweet plantain chips, then opt for a deep yellow plantain with black spots. Plantains sweeten as they ripen, so the more ripe and yellow they become, the sweeter they become too. Sweet or savory, green or yellow, choosing the right plantains will have a huge bearing on the texture of your chips!
Absolutely. Place the cut and seasoned plantain chips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then bake at 350 F degrees for about 18 minutes. However, please note that baked plantain chips won’t be quite as crispy as air fryer plantain chips.
Plantains and bananas certainly look like they have a lot in common, but they’re fairly different. Plantains are usually larger than bananas and have a thicker skin. They’re also starchier than bananas, with a range of flavors depending on the ripeness.
What to serve with these plantano chips
Serve platano chips with homemade pico de gallo, Colombian aji sauce, store-bought salsa, or Colombian ceviche.
But really, you can have it with any dip you like for a healthy scooping option! Try any of my Middle Eastern dips. I also love it with Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip for a hearty appetizer.
For a more filling appetizer to go along with these platano chips, try these air fryer chicken wings.
Recommended Dishes
For more Colombian inspired dishes to serve with these chips, try these recipes:
● Colombian fruit salad - Ensalada de frutas Colombiana
● Colombian ceviche with pear, fennel and mango
● Colombian Ajiaco recipe that will transport you to Bogota
For more air fryer recipes:
Tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to leave a review! If you post on social media, tag me @immigrantstable
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Recipe
The easiest healthy air fryer plantain chips recipe (2 ingredients, gluten free, vegan)
Equipment
- Mandoline or sharp knife
Ingredients
- 2 medium green plantains
- Oil spray
- Salt and pepper optional
- Spices chili flakes, cumin, coriander (optional)
Instructions
- Cut off the ends of the plantain. To peel the plantain, score the skin lengthwise without damaging the flesh. Then peel the plantain.
- Cut plantain into diagonal slices of about ¼-inch in thickness, using a knife or a mandoline.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
- Lay the plantain chips in the basket in a single layer, without any overlap.
- Bake the chips in the air fryer at 370 F degrees for 6-8 minutes. Turn the slices over to the other side and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until crispy. Chips usually need 10-13 minutes in the air fryer in total.
- You can now sprinkle plátano chips with your choice of spices (I like cumin, coriander and chili flakes), or salt and pepper.
- Let them cool before eating. Store leftovers in an airtight container in room temperature for up to 3 days.
Heidi says
I was so happy to find this recipe as I'm learning to make more in my air fryer! I made the sweet version with cinnamon and sugar and they did not disappoint. I didn't know much about the difference between plantains and bananas until reading this, so thank you!
Amanda says
I love Fried Plantains when I found your recipe and saw that I can make them in my air fryer I ran right to the store and bought some plantains. Thank you so much for this recipe! it is to die for!
Shelby says
Whipped these up for the kiddos and they loved them (just went with salt and cumin) but then I had to make an extra batch for myself with chili flakes.. so delicious!
Vladka says
I made it with cinnamon and sprinkled it with brown sugar, kids just went crazy. It is delicious and easy to make.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
My kids love the ones I buy at the store so I decided to try to make them at home. I was a little nervous but these were so easy to make and totally tasty. Thanks for the recipe!
Jael says
Fell in love with plantains while living in Venezuela,those chips and more plantain dishes were everywhere.Loved your story about your first visit to Colombia.Visited there for a few weeks,but must say that Venezuelan arepas are better than their Colombian counterparts...