Rellenitos de Plátano (Guatemalan Plantain and Black Bean Fritters)
Local name: Rellenitos de plátano
In short: Sweet ripe plantain dough wrapped around a cinnamon black bean filling, fried until crisp outside and tender inside, then rolled in sugar. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 355 kcal
Rellenitos are one of Guatemala's most popular sweet snacks, sold at markets and street stalls by the paper bagful. Very ripe plantains are boiled and mashed into a soft dough, wrapped around a thick, cinnamon-scented black bean paste and fried until the outside is lightly crisp and caramelized. Rolling them in sugar while they are still warm finishes them. The mix of sweet plantain and earthy bean surprises first-timers and quickly wins them over.
Instructions
- Mash or blend the beans with the 60 g of sugar, cinnamon and salt into a smooth paste. Cook it in the tablespoon of oil over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until thick enough to hold its shape. Let it cool.
- Peel the plantains and cut them into chunks. Boil in water for 15 to 20 minutes until very soft, then drain well.
- Mash the hot plantains with the salt until completely smooth, then leave to cool for 10 minutes.
- With oiled hands, divide the dough into 12 balls. Flatten one ball in your palm, put a tablespoon of bean filling in the center, close the dough around it and shape into a short oval.
- Heat 4 cm (1 1/2 in) of oil in a deep skillet to 175°C (350°F). Fry 4 rellenitos at a time for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until deep golden.
- Drain on paper towels, then roll in the cinnamon sugar while still warm. Serve warm.
Tips
- Use plantains with mostly black skins. Yellow ones make a firmer, starchier dough that cracks when you shape it.
- If the dough sticks, oil your hands instead of adding flour. For a richer filling, stir 30 g (1 oz) of grated vegan dark chocolate into the warm bean paste.
Questions and answers
Can I bake rellenitos instead of frying them?
Yes. Brush them with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 25 minutes, turning once. They will be softer and less crisp than fried ones.
Can I make rellenitos ahead of time?
Shape them up to a day ahead and chill them, then fry just before serving. Fried ones keep for 2 days and can be re-crisped in a hot oven.
Are rellenitos sweet or savory?
Sweet. The ripe plantain and sugared beans make a dessert-like snack, often eaten with a cup of coffee.
How long does it take to make Rellenitos de Plátano (Guatemalan Plantain and Black Bean Fritters)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rellenitos de Plátano (Guatemalan Plantain and Black Bean Fritters)?
About 355 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 62 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 355 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 33 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
