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Plantain Fritters

Name: Plantain Fritters
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 2 large ripe plantains or bananas, peeled; 1 cup self-rising flour; 1 small onion, cut into wedges; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Dash pepper; Oil for deep-fat frying

3 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Dec. 06, 2022

These golden brown plantain fritters are a favorite in West Africa, where my aunt served as a missionary for 45 years. Make sure the plantains are very ripe. You can substitute bananas if you’d like. —Heather Ewald, Bothell, Washington

Plantain Fritters Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

2 large ripe plantains or bananas, peeled
1 cup self-rising flour
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

Place plantains in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Add the flour, onion, salt and pepper; cover and process until blended (batter will be moist).
In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1/4 in. of oil to 375°. Drop tablespoons of batter, a few at a time, into hot oil. Cook until golden brown, 1 minute on each side. Drain on paper towels.

Plantain Fritters Tips

How can you tell if a plantain is ripe enough for plantain fritters?

You can tell if a plantain is ripe enough for plantain fritters when the peel is mostly black with a little yellow, but the flesh is still slightly firm to the touch.

Can you make plantain fritters without self-rising flour?

Self-rising flour contains a leavening agent (like baking powder or baking soda) that makes the plantain fritters puff up and become crispy while frying. So, it’s best not to use another kind of flour when making these fritters. If you don’t have (or don’t want to buy) self-rising flour, make your own! For 1 cup of self-rising flour, place 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a measuring cup. Add all-purpose flour to measure 1 cup.

Can you make plantain fritters into different shapes?

Because the batter for these plantain fritters is moist and is dropped with a spoon into the hot oil, they really can’t be made into different shapes. We're sure you'll love them as is! If you have more plantains to use up, try making air-fryer plantains, pumpkin and plantain mash or tostones.

—Julie Schnittka, Taste of Home Senior Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 fritter: 77 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 87mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.