How to make homemade plantain chips

Plantains are the most versatile vegetable you can grow. They're easy to grow, store well, and have a fantastic flavour that's perfect for so many dishes. They are also one of the easiest vegetables to make into chips or fries. I'll show you how to make plantain chips from scratch in this blog post.

Before we get right into it, let us do a little background on plantain since we will be talking about plantain chips, but while we do that, you can check us out on niyis.co.uk. We are an online grocery store and we have everything you would need to make your plantain chips at home, or even if you do not want to make them, we have a variety of plantain chips you would love to try these days.

Also, I wrote a really fun blog about plantains, you might want to go through it; some recipes might interest you.

Plantain: Background

What Plantain is

Plantain, the main group of the genus Musa, is a staple food found in many tropical regions. It is also a common name for an unrelated plant of the genus Plantaginaceae. It has more starch than common bananas, and should not be eaten raw. Unripe plantains have more starch and are usually boiled or fried into a wholesome and delicious dish. Ripe ones, however, are often fried, and cooked with coconut juice or sugar for flavouring. They can also be dried and milled into fine powder to make plantain flour.

Where They Come From

They are said to have come from Southeast Asia. Two kinds of plantains are said to develop in Africa, Egypt, India, and the tropical parts of America. In Indonesia and the Islands of the Pacific, French plantains are also said to be grown. They serve as an important ingredient for making beer in some areas of East Africa, eastern and central Uganda, and Tanzania. All over the world, plantains make up approximately 85% of all cultivation of bananas.

Their History

The tree is native to tropical regions of the world, such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They are a staple food in many cultures and are often eaten as a side dish or used in recipes. They have been grown for thousands of years and were first domesticated in Southeast Asia.

Plantains were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century and quickly became a staple food in many cultures in the Americas. They are still a major food crop in tropical regions of the world and are grown commercially for export today, they are known and eaten all over the world and are especially popular in African and Latin American cuisine.

This vegetable is packed with so many nutritional benefits —  a good source of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and potassium.

What are plantain chips and Where are they from?

What are plantain chips?

Plantain chips are a type of chip or fry that can be made from ripe and unripe plantains — mostly from unripe or green plantains though. Plantain chips are thinly sliced and then spiced and fried in olive oil or baked on a baking sheet in the oven, until golden and crispy. Plantain chips are a popular snack not only in Africa but also in Ecuador, Peru, and many parts of the world. Plantain chips are usually fried or baked, and they can be either sweet or savoury.

Where do plantain chips originate from?

As much as plantain chips are popular and eaten all over the world, they originally originate from West Africa.

The Nutritional Benefits

The nutritional benefits of plantain chips are numerous. They are a good source of:

Fibre:

which can help to regulate digestion.

Vitamins A and C:

These are important for immunity and skin health.

Magnesium:

This is essential for energy production.

Potassium

This is necessary for proper muscle function and healthy blood pressure.

There are many health benefits associated with this snack. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Digestive Health:

It is a good source of dietary fibre, which is important for digestive health. Fibre helps to add bulk to stool and prevents constipation. It can also help to regulate blood sugar levels and protect against gastrointestinal disorders.

Heart Health:

The fibre, potassium, and vitamin C content of plantain make it beneficial for heart health. These nutrients help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Bone Health:

It is a good source of vitamin C, which is important for bone health. Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron and calcium, two nutrients that are essential for healthy bones.

Cancer Prevention:

The antioxidants in plantain may help to protect against cancer. Antioxidants help to neutralize harmful toxins that can damage cells and lead to the development of cancer.

Boosts Immunity:

The vitamin C content of plantain helps to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to fight off infection and disease.

Inflammation Reduction:

The antioxidants in plantain can help to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a natural process that helps the body to heal, but too much inflammation can lead to chronic diseases.

Low Calories:

They're also low in fat and calories, especially with baked plantain chips, which makes them a much healthier choice than all other chips. When made into chips, plantain chips provide all of these nutrients plus the added benefit of being crispy and delicious!

How to make Homemade Plantain Chips

Now that you know all about plantain chips, it's time to learn how to make homemade plantain chips! to make plantain chips, you can either fry or bake them. Here's a step-by-step guide.

To fry plantain chips:

Ingredients:

- Ripe or green plantains

- Olive oil

- Salt (optional)

- Ground pepper (optional)

Instructions:

Start by peeling the ripe or green plantains. You can do this with a sharp knife or with your hands. Then cut them into thin slices (any shape you want), about ½ cm thick with a sharp knife. Sprinkle with salt and ground pepper if desired.

Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the plantain slices to the hot oil and fry for about two minutes per side, or until they're golden brown and crispy. Remove the plantain slices that are now fried plantains from the heat and drain the fried plantains on some paper towels. Enjoy!

To get baked plantain chips:

Baked plantains are a popular side dish. They can be made by slicing plantains thinly with a sharp knife baking them on a baking sheet and putting them in the oven.

Ingredients:

- green plantains

- olive oil or butter

- baking sheet

- salt to taste

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Slice plantains thinly with a sharp knife and brush with oil or butter. Sprinkle with salt. Place the plantain slices on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the plantain slices that are now baked plantain chips from the oven and place them on some paper towels and enjoy!

FAQs

Can I make plantains without frying them?

Yes! If you want to avoid frying, you can bake your plantain chips instead. Just preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius/400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the plantain slices for 15-20 minutes, or until they're crispy.

Can I make plantain without olive oil?

Yes, you can! If you want to make oil-free plantain chips, simply bake them in the oven as directed above. You can also try air frying them. Just add the plantain slices to your air fryer basket and cook at 200 degrees Celsius/400 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten minutes, or until they're crispy.

How long do plantains last?

These chips will last for about a week when stored in an airtight container.

Can I freeze plantains?

Yes, you can freeze the chips! Just place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and they'll keep for up to six months.

I have a plantain allergy. Can I still eat plantain chips?

No, you should not eat plantain chips if you're allergic to plantains. Plantain allergies are relatively rare, but they can cause serious reactions, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or face, and anaphylaxis. If you're allergic to plantains, be sure to avoid plantain chips and other plantain-containing products.

I have a latex allergy. Can I still eat plantain chips?

Latex allergies are also relatively rare, but they can cause serious reactions in some people. If you have a latex allergy, you may be allergic to plantains. Therefore, you should avoid plantain chips and other plantain-containing products. If you're unsure whether or not you're allergic to plantains, talk to your doctor or an allergist. They can give you a skin prick test or blood test to determine if you're allergic.

Where to buy plantain chips

If you do not want to prepare plantain chips yourself at home and you are looking for where to get them, I would like to let you know that you can get some at your local stores or supermarkets. If you are looking to get online, visit our website. Niyis.co.uk has a variety of plantain chips you can choose from.

If you, however, want to get ingredients that you can use to prepare your homemade plantain chips, then do not hesitate to check our online store at niyis.co.uk. Niyis is an online African and Caribbean grocery store in the UK that sells grocery, personal care, and household items from most ethnicities all over the world. We sell a wide range of grocery items you could use, not only to prepare the plantain chips snack but also other recipes for your cooking. From fresh plantains to vegetable oil, to chillies, meat, vegetables, and other types of grocery items. Try us, and you won't be disappointed.

Fun facts about plantain chips

1. Plantain chips are a popular snack food in many parts of the world, including Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

2. Plantain chips are usually made from unripe plantains, which are also known as green plantains.

3. Plantain chips can be fried, baked, or even air-fried.

4. Plantain chips are a healthy snack option because they're low in calories and fat. Plus, plantains are a good source of dietary fibre.

5. Plantain chips are usually served with dipping sauces, such as salsa, guacamole, or honey.

There you have it — everything you need to know about plantain chips! I hope you enjoyed learning about plantain chips and will enjoy making and eating them as much as I do. And if you're feeling adventurous, try out one of the recipe ideas above. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Do not forget to check us out for your grocery items. Thanks for reading. Till next time. Bon appetit!