7 Easy Plantain Recipes You Can Try Today

7 Easy Plantain Recipes You Can Try Today

If there’s one ingredient that holds a special place in every African and Caribbean kitchen, it’s plantain. Fried, boiled, grilled, or mashed, plantain is the sweet older sibling of banana that's versatile, and many people don't know they can do so much more with plantain aside from the regular, schmegular frying.

In this blog, we are going to list 7 easy plantain recipes that absolutely bang! And if by the time you are done with this blog, you feel inspired to get creative with your plantain recipe, we have all the ingredients you need to cook up a storm in the kitchen right here in the store. Let's get into it.

Image from: Center for Nutrition Studies

Recipe 1: Fried Plantain (Dodo)

Let’s start with the classic that everyone loves, whether ripe, extremely ripe, or almost ripe, frying your plantain is always a banger.

Dodo is the most popular way to enjoy ripe plantains. It’s sweet, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and dangerously addictive.

What You’ll Need:

  • 2–3 ripe (yellow) plantains with black spots
  • Vegetable or palm oil (if you prefer)
  • Salt (optional)

Steps:

  • Peel the plantains and slice diagonally or into small rounds, about ½ inch thick.
  • Sprinkle a pinch of salt if desired.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan (about 1 inch deep).
  • Once hot, add plantain slices in a single layer.
  • Fry each side until golden brown (about 2–3 minutes per side).
  • Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve alongside jollof rice, beans, stew, or just enjoy on its own.

Image from: Butter be Ready

Recipe 2: Boiled Plantain with Pepper Sauce

Perfect for a healthy, satisfying meal. Slightly ripe or even unripe plantains work best here.

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 plantains (slightly ripe or green)
  • Salt
  • For the sauce: tomatoes, red bell pepper, onions, scotch bonnet, seasoning cubes, oil

Steps:

  • Peel plantains, cut into large chunks, and boil in salted water for 15–20 minutes until fork-tender.
  • For the sauce: blend tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and scotch bonnet together.
  • Heat palm or vegetable oil in a saucepan.
  • Add the blended mixture and fry until the oil separates from the sauce (about 10–15 minutes).
  • Add seasoning (Maggi cubes, crayfish, salt) and let simmer.

Serving Ideas:
Top the boiled plantains with pepper sauce and serve with grilled fish or eggs.

Also Read: How to Make Ewa Agoyin: A Step-by-Step Guide

Image from: Respire Health Kitchen

Recipe 3: Gizdodo (Gizzard and Plantain Stir-Fry)

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 ripe plantains
  • 1 pound of chicken gizzards (cleaned and chopped)
  • Tomatoes, onions, scotch bonnet, bell peppers
  • Curry, thyme, seasoning cubes
  • Oil for frying

Steps:

  • Season the gizzards with salt, curry, and thyme, and boil until tender (save the stock).
  • Fry or grill the gizzards lightly.
  • Slice and fry ripe plantains until golden; set aside.
  • In a large pan, sauté onions in oil, then add blended tomato/pepper mixture.
  • Fry until thick and rich. Add the gizzard, followed by the fried plantains.
  • Mix and let it all marry for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped bell peppers.

Serving Ideas:
Serve warm with white rice or as a standalone dish.

Image from: Bella Naija

Recipe 4: Plantain Frittata

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 ripe plantains (sliced and fried)
  • 4–6 eggs
  • Chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, scotch bonnet
  • Seasoning: salt, Maggi, thyme

Steps:

  • Fry the plantain slices and set aside.
  • In a bowl, beat eggs and add chopped vegetables, season to taste.
  • Grease a baking pan or skillet. Layer fried plantains, pour in egg mix.
  • Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20–25 minutes or until eggs are set.

Serving Ideas:
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a protein-rich meal prep option.

Image from: Cooking with Claudy

Recipe 5: Boli (Grilled Plantain)

What You’ll Need:

  • Whole ripe plantains (not overly ripe)

Steps:

  • Wash and grill unpeeled plantains over an open flame or in an oven at 375°F.
  • Turn occasionally until the skin is charred and the inside is soft.
  • Peel and serve warm.

Serving Ideas:
Pair with roasted fish, spicy tomato sauce, or peanuts.

Image from: Farming Farmers Farm

Recipe 6: Plantain Porridge (Pottage)

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 plantains (semi-ripe or green)
  • Palm oil
  • Onions, crayfish, scent leaf/spinach
  • Stockfish or dried shrimp
  • Seasoning cubes, salt, pepper

Steps:

  • Peel and dice plantains. Add to a pot with water.
  • Add chopped onions, pepper, crayfish, and palm oil.
  • Cook until plantains soften and soup thickens.
  • Add dried fish, shrimp, and seasoning.
  • Finish with fresh greens like ugu or spinach.

Serving Ideas:
Enjoy alone or with soft bread. 

Image from: Eat well abi

Recipe 7: Plantain Chips

What You’ll Need:

  • Green plantains
  • Salt
  • Oil for frying

Steps:

  • Peel and slice green plantains thinly using a mandoline or knife.
  • Heat oil, then fry in small batches until golden and crispy.
  • Drain and season lightly with salt.

Don’t feel like frying? Grab ready-to-eat plantain chips from our snacks section.

Image from: Rozy's Kitchen

Where to Get What You Need

L’Afrique Market has the key ingredients for your next plantain creation, from palm oil to seasoning cubes, dried fish, and pepper mix. Stock your kitchen the easy way and bring those nostalgic meals back to life.

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