Sweet and spicy fried plantains are the perfect combination for crispy on the outside, soft, sweet and fiery flavour on the inside. This easy homemade plantain snack is made with ripe plantains, peppers and easy frying technique that creates a delicious treat.
Plantain is an important part of African and Caribbean diet as it is used for preparing many delicious dishes. In Nigeria, plantain is steamed into pudding like plantain moi moi, It is roasted over charcoal fire to make a popular street food called boli.
In many African countries, it is peeled and cut into small sizes then fried in hot vegetable oil or first seasoned with salt or pepper before frying to make spicy dodo.
Another method of preparing plantain is steaming or boiling. This cooking method produces soft and delicious outcome that is commonly enjoyed with vegetable sauce, fried stew, fried eggs or the traditional way of eating boiled plantain with fresh palm oil and little salt.
You’ll love this plantain recipe because it combines the natural sweetness of plantains with budget-friendly ingredients for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavours.
Ingredients needed
- 2 plantains -very ripe plantains
- 31/2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Bell pepper
- Chilli pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Yeast 7g
Step-by-step instructions on how to make sweet and spicy plantain snack
- Dice bell peppers and chilli pepper and put in a bowl then set aside
- Pour 1/3 cup water into a bowl.
- Add 1/2 tbsp sugar and 7g yeast and mix well till the yeast dissolves completely in the water.
- Set aside and allow to activate for 10-15 minutes.
- You’ll know the yeast is activated when it rises and becomes foamy.
- With your knife, cut off the top and bottom part of the plantain.
- Then use your knife the make a straight shallow cut on the skin of the plantain.
- Peel off the plantain peel by pulling at the shallow cut made on the skin.
- Put the yellow edible plantain flesh in a bowl and mash nicely with a spoon or potato masher.
- Measure 21/2 cups all purpose flour into a bowl.
- Add activated yeast,3 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1cup water.
- Mix well to combine till the batter becomes stretchy with no lumps
- Cover and allow it rise for 30-45 minutes
- After 45 minutes, the batter would have risen and almost doubled in size
- Remove the air from it by mixing it well
- Add mashed plantains and chopped peppers
- Mix very well to combine
- Pour vegetable oil into your deep frying pan and allow it to get hot
- Test the hotness of the oil by dropping one or two balls of batter into it – If the batter floats up immediately, then the oil is hot enough. But, if it stays at the bottom for a 1-2 minutes before floating that shows that the oil still need more time to be hot enough.
- Scoop the batter from the bowl with your four fingers -excluding the thumb- use the side of the bowl to shape it to make it smooth.
- Then drop it in the hot oil so that it achieves the round ball shape, repeat the process till an adequate quantity of batter has been dropped in the oil
- Be careful not to over crowd the pan
- Allow to fry till the edges appear slightly brown then turn the balls
- Fry the other side nicely till it is lightly brown as well.
- Line your basket with kitchen paper towels
- Scoop the balls out of the hot oil into the basket
- Repeat the process until all the batter has been fried.
Quick sweet and spicy plantain balls snack is ready to be enjoyed on its own or with any beverage of your choice, great for afternoon snacking, tea parties, small chops and many more.
For extra spiciness, add more chilli pepper in the batter or sprinkle chilli flakes on it after frying.
Drizzle your favourite topping – caramel, vanilla, toffee etc- on the plantain ball for extra sweetness. Or sprinkle sugar on it.
Store leftovers in your fridge or freezer an airtight container. Reheat in an oven or air fryer.
Useful tips for perfect fried plantain balls
- For frying, a pot can be used to replace a frying pan.
- A lot of vegetable oil is necessary for deep frying.
- Maintain medium heat to cook it through and avoid burning.
- Use soft ripe plantains for maximum sweetness.
Try this recipe today and enjoy the combination of sweetness and spice in plantain.You can also watch and enjoy this insightful free video on how to make homemade sweet and spicy African plantain snack.
In conclusion, sweet and spicy plantains are simple yet irresistible snack that can be easily prepared with simple ingredients in your kitchen.
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