Mexican Fried Plantains (Plátanos Maduros Fritos)
Mexican fried plantains, or Plátanos Maduros Fritos, are an easy dessert featuring ripe plantains fried in butter and drizzled with sweetened condensed milk.
Reader Jenny Says: “I tried this Plantain recipe, and I’m officially obsessed! The perfect balance of crispy edges and sweet, caramelized centers made every bite irresistible. I could seriously eat them all day, they’re just that good.” ★★★★★
This dessert is a family favorite that we enjoy often during Sunday dinner. This is how I learned how to make Plátanos Maduros Fritos, but keep in mind, like all recipes, there are different variations.
What are Plátanos Maduros?
Plátanos Maduros are sweet ripe plantains. Plantains start green, stiff, and starchy. Green versions can be used for savory recipes like patacones. Once plantains start turning yellow and develop brown spots, they will soften and get sweeter. Unlike bananas, which can be eaten raw, plantains are typically cooked before eating.
Ingredients
You’ll need just 3 ingredients to make Plátanos Maduros Fritos.
- Sweet Plantains (Yellow with brown spots)
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Butter
You can substitute oil for butter to fry the plantains, just use a neutral oil like Avocado. If you don’t like or don’t have sweetened condensed milk, sprinkle some sugar on top of the fried plantains. I also like ground cinnamon sprinkled on top too.
Try using the squeeze bottle of sweetened condensed milk, this is a better option since you do not need a lot and can refrigerate the rest.
Tips on How to Make
- Start by slicing the ripe plantain into half-inch slices. This makes eating them easier and allows the plantains to caramelize on both sides.
- Use a nonstick pan to avoid using excess oil or butter.
- Cook the plantains over medium heat to avoid them burning too quickly.
- If you need your plantains to ripen faster, place them in a brown paper bag. This can still take a couple of days.
How to Serve and Store
Serve the Mexican fried plantains with a good drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. My family loves these when they are still slightly warm; it’s so good!
If you have any leftovers, keep the cooked plantains separate from the sweetened condensed milk and reheat them in a skillet or air fryer until warmed. Then, add the sweetened condensed milk before serving.
More Mexican Desserts
Mexican Fried Plantain Dessert
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Ripe Plantains
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
Instructions
- Peel and slice plantains into 1 inch slices.
- Add butter to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced plantains in an even layer.
- Cook for a couple of minutes then flip each piece over. Once both sides are browned, place them on a plate and finish cooking the remaining plantains.
- Drizzle sweetened condensed milk on top or leave some in a bowl for guests to add their own.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and depends on ingredients and amounts used. Thai Caliente makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
I tried this Plantain recipe, and I’m officially obsessed! The perfect balance of crispy edges and sweet, caramelized centers made every bite irresistible. I could seriously eat them all day—they’re just that good.