Fried Plantain (Sierra Leonean Fry Fry Plantain)
In short: Ripe plantain slices fried in hot oil until caramelized and crisp at the edges, a Sierra Leonean street snack and the classic partner to jollof rice. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Fried plantain is the everyday side dish and street snack of Sierra Leone, sold in paper cones next to akara and eaten with jollof rice, stews and fish. The trick is choosing plantains that are very ripe, yellow with plenty of black, so the natural sugar caramelizes and the slices turn sticky-sweet outside and creamy inside. A sprinkle of salt sharpens the sweetness, and pepper sauce on the side is traditional.
Instructions
- Cut both ends off each plantain, slit the peel lengthwise and remove it. Slice the fruit on a diagonal into pieces 1 cm (1/2 in) thick.
- Heat the oil in a wide heavy frying pan over medium heat to about 170°C (340°F). A slice dropped in should sizzle steadily without spitting.
- Fry the slices in a single layer, without crowding, for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown with dark, caramelized edges. Lower the heat if they darken too fast, because the sugar burns quickly.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with the salt, and the cayenne if using, while still hot.
- Serve at once with jollof rice, stew or grilled fish, or with a bowl of pepper sauce.
Tips
- Ripeness is everything. Green or pale yellow plantains are starchy and make savory chips instead. To ripen them, leave them in a paper bag at room temperature for several days, until the skin is mostly black.
- Fry in batches and keep the cooked slices on a rack in a 120°C (250°F) oven so they stay hot and crisp while you finish the rest.
Questions and answers
Can I fry plantain with less oil?
Yes. Brush the slices with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once. They will be softer and less crisp than fried ones.
How ripe should the plantain be?
The skin should be yellow with many black patches, or mostly black, and the fruit should give slightly when squeezed. Fully black skin means very sweet, soft plantain that fries to a sticky caramel.
What do you eat with fried plantain?
Jollof rice, stews, fried or grilled fish and pepper sauce are the usual partners. It is also eaten alone as a snack.
How long does it take to make Fried Plantain (Sierra Leonean Fry Fry Plantain)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fried Plantain (Sierra Leonean Fry Fry Plantain)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
