Kelewele (Ghanaian Spiced Fried Plantain)
In short: Ripe plantain cubes tossed in ginger, chili and cloves, then fried until caramelized outside and soft inside, Ghana's best-known evening snack. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 260 kcal
Kelewele is spiced fried plantain, and in Ghana it is the snack that appears on street corners after dark, often sold with roasted peanuts. Ripe plantains are cut into cubes, coated in a paste of fresh ginger, onion, chili and ground spices, rested briefly, and fried until caramelized at the edges. The plantains should be yellow with black freckles, soft but not mushy. Eat them hot.
Instructions
- Mix the ginger, onion, cayenne, cloves, nutmeg, salt and water into a paste in a large bowl.
- Add the plantain cubes and toss until every piece is coated. Leave them for 15 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan to 180°C (350°F). A cube dropped in should sizzle at once.
- Fry the plantain in 3 batches for 3 to 4 minutes each, turning, until deep golden with dark edges.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and serve hot, with roasted peanuts if you like.
Tips
- Choose plantains that are mostly yellow with black spots. Green ones taste starchy, and fully black ones turn mushy and burn in the oil.
- To bake instead, spread the coated cubes on a lined tray, brush with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 25 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between kelewele and plain fried plantain?
Kelewele is coated in a ginger, onion and chili spice paste before frying, so it tastes warm and peppery as well as sweet. Plain fried plantain is usually just sliced and salted.
Can I make kelewele in an air fryer?
Yes. Toss the coated cubes with 1 tbsp oil and air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway.
How spicy is kelewele?
Medium. Half a teaspoon of cayenne gives a gentle glow. Use a full teaspoon for a stronger street-vendor kick.
How long does it take to make Kelewele (Ghanaian Spiced Fried Plantain)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kelewele (Ghanaian Spiced Fried Plantain)?
About 260 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 260 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
