Air Fryer Recipe
Caramelised Plantain Chips
Caramelised plantain chips are a sweet-savoury treat that benefit from the air fryer's ability to quickly remove moisture, allowing natural sugars to caramelise beautifully without the need for deep frying. This method ensures a perfect balance of texture and flavour, making them an ideal accompaniment to a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe plantains, about 450–500g unpeeled weight
- 1 tbsp neutral oil, such as rapeseed or sunflower oil
- 1 tbsp soft light brown sugar, about 12g
- 1 tsp maple syrup or runny honey, about 7g
- 1 tsp lime juice
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus a pinch more to finish
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground allspice or nutmeg
- Optional pinch of cayenne pepper, Aleppo pepper or chilli flakes
- Optional 1 tsp demerara sugar
- Optional 1 tsp coconut sugar
Method
- Peel the plantains by trimming the ends, scoring the skin lengthways, and lifting it away with your thumb.
- Slice the plantains on a slight diagonal into 4–5mm pieces.
- Put the slices in a bowl and toss with the oil and ¼ tsp of the salt only.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes.
- Arrange the plantain in a single loose layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 6 minutes at 180°C, then shake the basket or turn the slices with tongs.
- Continue for 2–3 minutes until the surfaces look drier and the edges are beginning to colour.
- Mix the brown sugar, maple syrup or honey, lime juice, cinnamon, allspice, remaining salt and optional chilli in the same bowl used earlier.
- Tip the hot plantain back into the bowl and toss gently until lightly coated.
- Line the basket with perforated parchment, then return the coated slices in a single layer.
- Reduce the temperature to 170°C and cook for 3 minutes.
- Turn the slices, sprinkle with the optional demerara sugar if using, and cook for a further 2–4 minutes.
- Transfer the chips to a wire rack or a cool plate in one layer and leave for 5 minutes before eating.
- Finish with a tiny pinch of salt while still warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
