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Last Updated on December 12, 2023 by Tiffany
These crispy, crunchy, and perfectly sweet Jamaican Plantain fritters are out of this world! Bursting with Caribbean flavor and bringing comfort of home, plantain fritters are great for breakfast or a sweet treat.
Plantain fritters are lesser known in Jamaica but equally (if not more) delicious as typical banana fritters. The sweetness of the ripened plantain pairs heavenly with flour and is a treat for children and adults alike. This is sure to be a show stopper at any event!
What are Plantain Fritters?
Fritters are basically just fried pieces of a wet, slightly dense batter. Popular recipes in Jamaica include: banana fritters and salt fish fritters. They differ from pancakes as they’re not as fluffy and bouncy. However, fritters are in their own lane of delicious. Crispy edges on the outside with soft pillows of sweet goodness on the inside. Jamaican plantain fritters are a must make.
What you’ll need
- Ripe, blackened plantain
- Flour
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Cane Sugar
- Nutmeg
- Water
- Oil
How to make Jamaican Plantain Fritters
Step One:
Make sure the plantain is fully blackened, soft, and ripe. Mash the plantain with the water until properly combined and mushy. Then, add in the vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cane sugar.
Step Two:
Now, SLOWLY add in half the flour to the wet batter. Stir until combined then slowly add in the second half of the flour. Use your eye, the entire amount of flour may not be necessary depending on how large your plantains are.
The batter should not be too runny or too thick. If you pick it up with a spoon, it should be able to flow easily but not completely drip off.
Step Three:
Set a pan with oil and prepare for shallow frying. My preferred oil type is either alkaline grape-seed or avocado oil. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of batter into the oil. Thin fritters cook faster and have crispier edges than thick fritters. Allow the fritters to cook on about 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t step away because they will cook quickly!
Once cooked, immediately set each fritter on a plate lined with paper towels. This will absorb any extra oil. Serve while warm and enjoy!
Notes for Plantain Fritters
- The plantains must be extremely soft and ripe to the point where the skin has blackened completely. If they’re not properly ripe, the fritters will not turn out correctly.
- Combine the flour slowly. You may not need all the flour, or you may need more, it will all depend on the type of flour used.
- The thinner the fritter, the quicker it takes to cook and crispier the edges. Do not make the fritters to thick and round as they won’t be as enjoyable.
How to store Plantain Fritters
Plantain fritters are so easy to assemble and take no longer than 5 minutes to cook. This recipe makes a decent amount, so leftovers will be likely. Or maybe not because you just might eat them all in one go, I’m not judging!
If deciding to store for leftovers or have as meal prep, freeze (not refrigerate) in airtight plastic baggies in the freezer. Store for up to two weeks. Reheating in the oven is the best way to regain crispiness instead of microwaving. Set your oven at 375 F (190 C) and allow to warm for no more than 7-10 minutes. Enjoy as a quick breakfast or on the go snack!
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