Deep Fried Ripe Plantain with Peanut Dip


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Sweet, ripe plantain gets coated in a light, crisp flour batter and deep fried until golden, then served alongside a bold peanut dip that balances sweet, spicy, and tangy in every bite. It’s the kind of snack that disappears fast, perfectly sweet on its own, but the peanut dip takes it to another level entirely.
This recipe is naturally allium-free, so it fits right in with the rest of the My Kitchen My Home collection, no onion or garlic anywhere in sight, just bold, honest flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy outside, soft inside. The flour batter fries up light and crisp while the ripe plantain stays soft and caramel-sweet inside.
Bold peanut dip. Spicy, sweet, and tangy all at once, thanks to tamarind and chili peppers.
Simple ingredients. Everything comes from the pantry, no specialty shopping trip required.
Naturally allium-free. Like every recipe on My Kitchen My Home, this one is free of onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Serving

4

Total Time

40 mins



Course: lunch, dessert, snack Cost Approx. $8–$10 total (about $2.25 per serving) Calories Approx. 380 kcal per serving (plantain + dip)

Ingredients

Equipment

Method

Notes

For the Plantain

For the Peanut Dip

  • 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp mudroot powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Chili peppers, to taste
  • 2 tbsp tamarind
  • ½ cup water, for mixing
  • Large mixing bowl (for the batter)
  • Food processor (for the peanut dip)
  • Sharp knife and cutting board (for slicing plantain)
  • Deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (for frying)
  • Slotted spoon or tongs
  • Wire rack or paper towel-lined plate
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small serving bowl (for the dip)

Method

Blend the dip. Add the dry-roasted peanuts, sugar, mudroot powder, salt, oil, chili peppers, and tamarind to a food processor. Pulse to combine.

Adjust the consistency. With the processor running, slowly stream in the water, a little at a time, until the dip reaches a thick, spoonable consistency. Taste and adjust chili and salt as needed. Set aside.

Mix the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder. Gradually whisk in the water until you have a smooth, thick batter; it should coat the back of a spoon without running off too quickly. Let the flour mix rest for 5 min.

Heat the oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).

Dip each piece of plantain into the batter, coating it fully. Carefully lower into the hot oil, frying in batches so you don’t crowd the pot. Fry for 3–4 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown and crisp.

Remove with a slotted spoon or tongs and drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.

Serve the fried plantain warm, with the peanut dip alongside for dipping.

Tip

Use very ripe plantains. Look for plantains with mostly black, spotted skin, the riper the plantain, the sweeter and softer it will be inside.
Don’t overcrowd the pot. Frying in small batches keeps the oil temperature steady and the batter crisp.
Rest the batter. Letting the batter sit for 5 minutes before frying helps the baking powder activate for a lighter, crispier coating.
Adjust the heat. Add more or less chili pepper to the dip depending on how spicy you like it.

Storage

  • Fried plantain: Best eaten fresh and warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in the oven or air fryer to re-crisp.
  • Peanut dip: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use unripe or green plantains instead? Ripe plantains are recommended for this recipe since they’re naturally sweet and soft, which pairs well with the crispy batter. Green plantains are starchier and less sweet and typically better suited to savory preparations like tostones.

What can I substitute for tamarind in the peanut dip? A mix of lime juice and a touch of brown sugar can mimic tamarind’s sweet-tart flavor if you don’t have tamarind on hand, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Can I bake the plantain instead of deep frying? Deep frying gives the classic crisp batter coating, but you can bake the battered pieces at 400°F (200°C) on a well-oiled baking sheet for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, for a lighter version. The coating will be less crisp than fried.

Can I make the peanut dip ahead of time? Yes, the peanut dip actually benefits from resting, as the flavors deepen after a few hours in the refrigerator.


This recipe is part of the My Kitchen My Home recipe collection

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