Ripe plantains have so much flavor, but this recipe brings out every bit of sweetness, like plantain candy! These sweet caramel cinnamon baked plantains are paleo, vegan, and contain no refined sugar.
Let the truth speak for itself – plantains just deliver and we can’t deny that. What I mean is, they give a lot without much effort on our part, and it’s hard to argue with a food that makes life easy, healthy, and delicious.
I whined about needing a cooking break and I meant it – this week I was not feeling passionate at all about creating something new and fancy. So, I just went with the obvious – my plantain stash.
It’s not that I hoard plantains in all stages of ripeness or anything, it’s just that actually I do exactly that. And it works out really well because I can always count on them when I need a quick snack or side dish!
I took things to new territory with this recipe though. You see, plantains are really just awesome without messing with them at all, so really I don’t, ever. I thinly slice the green ones and fry them in coconut oil or bacon fat for chips, just seasoning with a little salt. For the ripe ones I slice them a bit thicker and fry and season them the same way. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But it’s okay to branch out once in a while, to think outside the frying pan for a minute.
So here we go. I was having a bit of a sweet craving this week after lots of holiday weekend dessert eating. It happens even to the most paleo of us now and then. Yup, these things happen and fighting doesn’t have to be the answer. Instead, I basically turned my ripe plantains into candy and I’m here today to share that love with you. Accept it freely, there’s no need to thank me or send gifts, really, stop it, I don’t need any more Lululemon and I definitely don’t need new running shoes!
Sidetracked, once again, but let me present you now with the easiest of easy recipes.
Sweet Caramel Cinnamon Baked Plantains
Ingredients
- 2 ripe plantains yellow/black
- 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 1-2 tbsp unrefined organic coconut sugar (depending on how sweet you'd like_
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt
Instructions
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Peel the plantains by cutting off the ends and cutting two lengthwise slits in the peel, then carefully opening up the peel.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the plantains into rounds, about 1/4 inch in thickness.
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Put the plantains in a bowl and toss with the melted coconut oil. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the plantains in a single layer onto the parchment.
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In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the coconut sugar, cinnamon and salt. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the plantains.
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, turning once after about 15 minutes. Check them often to make sure they don't burn.
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Remove from oven, let cool, and serve warm!
What’s your go-to way to cook plantains?
Is there any food you “hoard” (or buy every time you’re at the store) so you never run out?
Happy Friday to everyone!!
I normally have an extra bunch of bananas ready to get ripe on the counter and usually an extra 6 (or 10) unopened jars of peanut butter. Just in case. 🙂
With marathon training I definitely hoarded bananas along with plantains!
I would love to have this recioet, looking for lite snacks as I’m training for the Boston Marathon! 🙂
This is a great one! Good luck with Boston 🙂
I “hoard” nut butters. I just can’t resist! I’ve never cooked with or even tried a plantain. Your recipe convinces me I need to. Yum!
Have an awesome weekend Michele xoxo
Hope you have a great weekend too! Plantains are so good, so easy too! Nut butters seem to be a popular item to hoard 😉
Yummo! These sound delicious! I always bake my plantains and add cinnamon but takes them to a whole other level.
A little bit of coconut sugar here goes a long way!
I do this all the time and pour some coconut milk over them in a bowl and eat as cereal. U can add a few nuts also. My daughter loves it. Have an awesome weekend. Still waiting for spring!
Such a great idea! I’ll definitely be trying that 🙂
I hoard lots of things. Snacks, bars, granola… I like to stockpile things, I guess. You never know when nuclear war is coming, after all.
These look delicious! Definitely need to try!
And if nuclear war is around the corner, protein bars and granola are definitely a good idea 😉
Oh my gosh–must try these! I do love plantains and I can guarantee my kids would love them like this!
Yes, definitely try them!
Confession: I’ve never tried plantains. I keep meaning to, but never get around to doing it. I’ll add them to my grocery list and pick them up on my next trip — promise. And me? I’m a hoarder of bananas. 4 bunches sitting on my counter right now in varying degrees of ripeness, and a huge tub of them in my freezer 😆
Ooh you must try them 🙂 Banana hoarding is probably my second thing, and especially was with marathon training since I’d eat a few a day.
I have never tried plantains either. I know the kids would really like them, especially made like this! I know it’s supposed to be a dessert thing but I think they’d love it for breakfast.
Breakfast is good too! I had mine as a snack and with breakfast, can’t go wrong 🙂
I have actually never had plantains, but this recipe looks so good I’m going to go get some! 🙂
They’re good and easy, you’ll love them 🙂
I always bake my plantains with sea salt and cinnamon. And then try not to devour the entire tray of them 😉
Yes I completely relate, they are crazy delicious 🙂