↑

Delicious Little Bites

Loving Life One Bite at a Time

  • About
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Work With Me
    • Contact Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains

Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains

Published June 6, 2022 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Fried plantains with text overlay.
Fried plantains with text overlay.
Fried plantains with text overlay.

Plantains are notorious for bringing a taste of the islands to any meal. These Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains are an extra sweetened up version that are just as great as a side dish or as dessert.

Sweet fried plantains in a white bowl with part of a wood spoon and towel showing.

 

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

My husband first introduced me to the deliciousness that is fried sweet plantains. Since I had never had them growing up, I didn’t ever really give much thought to trying them.

He came home with Jamaican take out food one days and had fried sweet plantains, also called maduros, as a side. After my first bite, I was hooked. Now I make them all the time, usually alongside of Cuban Pork and Creamy Coconut Rice. Another favorite plantain recipe of ours is Sweet Plantain Lasagna (Puerto Rican Lasagna).

While authentic fried plantains don’t have much, if anything, added to them, this recipe results in stickier, even sweeter plantains due to the addition of brown sugar and maple syrup. Using unrefined coconut oil and vanilla extract adds a touch more flavor, as well.

How To Choose Plantains

I always thought plantains would taste like bananas, but they really are quite unique. When they are green and not ripe at all, they don’t have nearly as much flavor and are very starchy. While I even like them this way, my favorite plantains are more ripe.

As they ripen, they turn from green to yellow to dark yellow with blacks spots to black and they get sweeter and sweeter as they continue ripening. You can cook plantains, in different ways, at any stage of ripeness.

For this recipe, you need to use plantains that are just ripened to very ripe. Overly ripened, black plantains won’t work as well because they will be too soft and mushy.

The plantains I used for this recipe were at the earliest stage of ripening. The skin was a darker yellow and they were were just starting to turn black at the ends with black some spots on the middle. They were still somewhat firm, but soft under pressure.

After quite a few recipe testing sessions, I finally have this recipe perfected to give you the most perfect fried plantains ever!

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe brings a sweet taste of the islands to any meal you serve them with – even dessert!

Sweet Fried Plantains are a family friendly dish even kids will love.

Using just ripened plantains keeps them from turning to mush as they cook, giving you perfect, delicious results every time!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Ingredients

Ingredients to make sweet fried plantains on a marble background with text overlay.

  • 3 ripe plantains
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

 

Prep!

Plantain slices on a cutting board.

Slice your plantains into coins or at an angle into 1/2-inch thick pieces.

Whisk together the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Don’t cheat yourself here. I always recommend using real maple syrup and vanilla extract for the best flavor.

Create!

Plantain slices in a bowl with brown sugar.

Add the plantains and brown sugar to a large bowl and gently toss to thoroughly coat them in the sugar.

Fried plantain coins in a skillet.

Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the plantains into the hot oil. Cook until golden brown and crispy on the bottom, about 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Once browned, flip and cook an additional 2-4 minutes. The bottom side will usually cook faster as the sugar heats up and starts caramelizing, so be sure to watch them closely!

Drizzle on the maple syrup and vanilla mixture and toss to coat.

Present!

Overhead close up of sweet fried plantains.

Remove from the heat and pile onto a serving plate or into a bowl. Do not place them on a paper towel, as this recipe results in sticky plantains and they will surely stick to the paper.

Techniques & Tips

  • Be sure to use plantains that are just ripe to very ripe. Avoid using overly ripe, black plantains for this recipe.
  • Tossing the plantains in the brown sugar, rather than sprinkling it on, will give you more evenly caramelization.
  • Use real maple syrup and vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Whisking together the maple syrup and vanilla extract helps ensure an even distribution of flavor.
  • Keep the heat set to medium. The sugar will heat up as it caramelized, so if you need to work in batches, be prepared for the second batch to brown up much quicker.
  • Do not place the cooked plantains on a paper towel-lined plate – they will surely stick!

FAQ’s

How Ripe Should Plantains Be For Frying

Plantains can be anywhere from unripened to very ripe for frying depending on how firm and how sweet you want them to be. Avoid using overly ripened, black plantains.

What Do You Serve Fried Plantains With?

Try the Fried Sweet Plantains alongside of a Cuban pork or chicken dish. They are also great over ice cream or eaten alone as a snack or dessert.

Do Plantains Taste Like Bananas?

No, not at all. While they resemble a banana and sweeten as they ripen in the same way as a banana, they have a unique flavor all their own.

More Fruit Side Dish Recipes

Spicy Mango Salsa
This Spicy Mango Salsa is a little sweet and a little spicy. It can be made in just 10 minutes and is delicious on top of chicken, pork, and seafood. Serve it as a side dish to add even more flavor to so many different dishes.
Get The Recipe
Overhead close up of spicy mango salsa in a white square bowl over a white background with a white napkin
Mango Barbecue Sauce
Sweeten up all of your barbecue creations by adding this homemade, delicious Mango Barbecue Sauce! This sauce tastes amazing on pork, chicken, and seafood. You can even use on breakfast sandwiches!
Get The Recipe
A hand dipping a chicken tender into a square dish of Mango Barbecue Sauce with a blue and white napkin and small plate of more chicken in the background
Raspberry Barbecue Sauce
Fire up your grill and keep barbecue season going strong with this deliciously unique recipe for Raspberry Barbecue Sauce! Try it on all types of recipes! It's especially tasty on chicken and pork!
Get The Recipe
Spooning raspberry barbecue sauce over sliced meat on a white tray with raspberries on the side

Love this Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Overhead of a white bowl full of fried sweet plantains.
Print

Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains

Plantains are notorious for bringing a taste of the islands to any meal. These Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains are great as a side dish or dessert!
Course Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 262kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe plantains (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Add the plantains and brown sugar to a large bowl and gently toss to coat.
    3 ripe plantains, 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • In a large skillet, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.  Once hot, add the plantains.
    1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Cook until browned and crisp on the bottoms, about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to watch them closely to prevent burning!
  • Once browned, flip the plantains and cook an additional 2-4 minutes, again watching closely to prevent burning. 
  • Mix together the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Carefully pour onto the plantains and toss to combine.
    1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Transfer to a bowl or plate and serve warm.

Notes

Techniques & Tips

  • Be sure to use plantains that are just ripe to very ripe. Avoid using overly ripe, black plantains for this recipe.
  • Tossing the plantains in the brown sugar, rather than sprinkling it on, will give you more evenly caramelization.
  • Use real maple syrup and vanilla extract for the best results.
  • Whisking together the maple syrup and vanilla extract helps ensure an even distribution of flavor.
  • Keep the heat set to medium. The sugar will heat up as it caramelized, so if you need to work in batches, be prepared for the second batch to brown up much quicker!
  • Do not place the cooked plantains on a paper towel-lined plate - they will surely stick!
** Nutritional information is given as an estimate and will vary

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 699mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 1515IU | Vitamin C: 24.7mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.9mg

This recipe was originally published on July 12, 2018. It was updated with new images, step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques and FAQ’s in June 2022.

Related Posts

Peach Syrup Recipe
Close up of cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice in a white bowl.
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice
Close up of several chocolate peanut clusters on a white tray.
Crock Pot Peanut Clusters
A stack of gluten free sugar cookies with a bite taken out of the top cookie.
Gluten Free Sugar Cookies (dairy free & vegan)
Overhead of a cream colored plated with air fried carrots on it, a second plate partially showing in the background and a gray kitchen towel on the side.
Air Fryer Carrots

Filed Under: Desserts, Gluten Free, Recipes, Side Dishes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

as seen on


Copyright ©2023, Delicious Little Bites. All Rights Reserved.