In this Instructable, I will show you how to eat plantains. This easy baked plantain recipe is one way to eat them. They can be boiled, baked, fried, or even grilled. There are so many different ways to prepare a plantain. In this Instructable, I show you how to make sweet baked plantain chips.

What are plantains? They are a type of banana that are traditionally cooked before eating since they aren't as sweet as a normal eating banana. They are also usually much larger than a normal eating banana. Plantains are also referred to as the "cooking banana" and grow all around the world in tropical climates like India, Florida, West Africa, Central Africa, and the Caribbean. They are starchy and as I mentioned are typically eaten after being cooked. But they can be eaten raw as well. They are easy to cook and eat, if I can do it, you can do it. Let's get baking!

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the short video tutorial or do both. :)

Step 1: Ingredients and Tools

Print the recipe here if you like.

Ingredients:

1 to 2 plantains, peeled and sliced
2 tbsp. white granulated sugar (25g)
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (1g)
1 tbsp. coconut oil or other oil (15ml)

Tools:

Knife
Bowls
sheet pan or cookie sheet
parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Step 2: The Plantain

Preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C.The plantains can be cooked at all stages, green and firm, fairly ripe, and really ripe. The really ripe ones are a bit sweeter than the green firm ones. You can make them ripen faster by putting them in a paper bag.

Step 3: Cinnamon, Sugar, and Coconut Oil

Now in a small bowl add the sugar and mix in the cinnamon. Heat up the coconut oil, if necessary, so it is in liquid form. Coconut oil in cooler temps will be solid in warm temps it will be a liquid. You may also use a different oil if you like.

Step 4: Slice and Pour

Now slice the ends of the plantain and then peel it. Cut it into medallions that are roughly 1/8th inch thick. You can make them thicker too if you want. Then place them in a medium bowl and pour the coconut oil over them. Give them a good toss in the oil.

Step 5: Sprinkle on the Cinnamon and Sugar

Next, prepare a baking sheet or cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat. Then place the plantain medallions onto the sheet. Next, come in and sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mix on the ones you want to be sweet.

Sometimes I will do half plain and half sweet. If you want them to be more healthy, you can forgo the cinnamon and sugar altogether. You may also dip the individual plantain chips right in the sugar and coat both sides. Up to you!

Step 6: Bake Them!

Now bake them in the oven, middle rack position, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes flip them over and add more cinnamon and sugar to the other side, if desired. Then bake them for another 10 minutes or so. After they come out of the oven allow them to cool, and then enjoy! :)

Do you eat plantains? Do you prefer them baked, fried, or boiled? Let me know in the comments.