15 Plantain Recipes That Are Delicious and Versatile

Plantains are a cousin of the banana, but with a much thicker skin and a starchier texture. That texture means the tropical fruit cooks more like a sweet potato. They work well in baked sheet pan recipes, fried recipes and even hearty casseroles—so it's no wonder you'll find them used around the world, from the Caribbean, to the Phillipines, to West Africa (and beyond). You can use plantains that are totally green, when they're firmer and starchier, or wait until they start to turn yellow and black for a sweeter taste. We’ve rounded up recipes using plantains in every hue, starting with a Ghanian classic: stuffed plantain boats. Using ripe yellow plantains, the fruit is roasted until caramelized and stuffed with a spicy corned beef mixture. The result is a meal that’s a little bit sweet, a little bit savory and a whole lot of delicious.

This one-pot rice dish embodies West African cuisine at its finest. The recipe calls for ripe, almost-black sweet plantains that are simply sliced and fried to pair with the spicy tomato-pepper rice.

Turon is a classic Filipino dish that uses the ripest, sweetest plantains to stuff lumpia, or fried rolls. This version pairs them with sweet canned jackfruit and utilizes store-bought lumpia or spring roll shells.

Pastelon, as we know it today, has both Puerto Rican and Italian influences. This take on the casserole has layers of sweet caramelized plantain, melted mozzarella and a caper-tomato sauce not unlike puttanesca.

This recipe, sometimes known as maduros, is made with super ripe and sweet plantains. Served with a light sprinkle of salt, this recipe can be paired with things like roasted pork or rice and beans.

Slow-fried plantains mashed with garlic (and optional pork rinds) is a Caribbean favorite. When you pair it with a zesty, spicy shrimp stew that's simmered with beer, tomatoes, and peppers, it reaches new heights.

This recipe is like a chili-stuffed baked potato with a Cuban twist. The plantains are baked and fried, then filled with a poblano-studded beef mixture and toped with salty Cotija and cilantro.

Plantains can also be used in baked goods, like in this recipe for Jamaican dumplings. Stuff a simple biscuit-like dough with slices of ripe plantain and fry on both sides for a sweet and crispy treat.

For a complete sheet pan dinner using plantains, try this chicken recipe flavored with a classic Cuban mojo. The garlicky, citrus-packed marinade pairs nicely with crispy smashed plantains and doubles as a finishing drizzle.

Patacones, or tostones as they are called in some countries, are one of the simplest plantain dishes and a great place to start if you’ve never cooked with this ingredient. The double-fry technique ensures perfectly crisp plantains with a soft, fluffy inside.

Look for yellow plantains with some black spots that are just turning sweet to make this stuffing. The sweet plantains, combined with cubed cornbread and jalapenos, make for a side dish unlike any you’ve had before.

Crispy, crunchy plantain chips are just as addictive as their potato-based cousins. This simple recipe spices the chips with Jamaican jerk seasoning before baking them in the oven.

When cold weather hits, a hot, bracing soup is just the thing for warming up. This tasty comfort food is full of Latin American flavors like cumin, cilantro and sliced plantains.

Not all plantains have to be fried. This simple technique shows how great plantains can taste when sauteed in a combination of butter and oil.