Air Fryer Plantain Chips

These Air Fryer Plantain Chips are a healthier, crunchier alternative to store-bought chips that kids and adults alike will devour! Thinly sliced green plantains are lightly seasoned with garlic powder and salt for a savoury snack, but you can easily keep them au naturel. The air fryer works its magic to create perfectly crispy chips with a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying, making them a guilt-free snack.

What Are Plantains?

Plantains are a staple food in tropical regions across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia, where they’ve been cultivated for thousands of years. While they look similar to bananas and are technically part of the same family, plantains are starchier, less sweet, and are typically cooked rather than eaten raw. Think of plantains as the potato of the tropics; a hearty ingredient that’s treated more like a vegetable than a fruit! Unlike bananas that get sweeter as they ripen, plantains are versatile at every stage:

• green plantains are firm and starchy (perfect for chips and savory dishes)
• yellow plantains are slightly sweeter and softer (great for frying)
• black plantains are at their sweetest (ideal for desserts)

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Plantain Chips

Slice your plantains as thinly and evenly as you can to achieve that crunch; a mandoline is a great tool for this! Always place the slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer; they can touch slightly. Just make sure to shake halfway through for even browning. Toss them in a little oil so they crisp up without getting greasy.