Bananas are great for desserts, especially when pan-fried and the sugars in the banana caramelize to a crunchy and soft interior. They amazingly taste sweet sour and salty. Plantains and bananas are similar but the sugars in bananas are higher. As many others have noted, both can be fried, but even a ripe plantain will stay firmer due to the higher starch content.
Fried bananas are a popular dessert and snack food in South American cuisine. The dish is more often known as platanos con lechera in Mexico, Peru and other neighboring countries. It’s difficult to make fried bananas as good as those sold by street-food vendors in Mexico and elsewhere. It can be served with coconut ice cream, but vanilla ice cream works too, or just enjoy them hot from the pan.
Cooked plantains have more potassium than regular bananas. Also, because it has a naturally low glycemic index. It is ideal for diabetic patients. Although, you would probably need to skip on the condensed milk if you’re watching your sugar intake. This popular easy to make Mexican dessert is sure to warm your tummy and make you smile!
How To Make Pan-fried Banana with Lechera
Cinnamon dusted, caramelized pan-fried plantains drizzled with sweetened condensed milk.
Ingredients
- 4 plantains, large
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6 oz sweetened condensed milk, (lechera)
To Serve:
- vanilla ice cream
- ground cinnamon
For Garnish:
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Cut the plantain in half lengthwise with the skin on to retain its shape. Slowly peel afterward. You may need to cut further the peeled plantain, depending on the size.
- Dust the cut side of the plantains with ground cinnamon. You can also opt to dust 2 tablespoons of sugar for added sweetness.
- Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Place the plantains in the pan, cut side up.
- Over very low heat, slowly caramelize the plantains for approximately 3 to 5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
- Serve at least four slices on a dessert plate then drizzle with the sweetened condensed milk. Alternatively, you may serve it ala mode with ice cream. Serve warm!
Recipe Notes
If you want to create the beautiful dark golden caramelization, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the cinnamon, then sprinkle over the plantains and caramelize in a heated skillet. While this can be achieved without the added sugar, you might not be able to get the same dark brown richness.
Nutrition
- Sugar: 55g
- :
- Calcium: 168mg
- Calories: 415kcal
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Cholesterol: 14mg
- Fat: 10g
- Fiber: 5g
- Iron: 1mg
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Potassium: 1050mg
- Protein: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 128mg
- Vitamin A: 2393IU
- Vitamin C: 34mg
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Commonly Asked Questions
I don’t have sweetened condensed milk on hand. Is there a substitute?
You can make homemade sweetened condensed milk- you will need ½ a cup of milk powder, ½ a tablespoon of butter, and ¼ cup of powdered sugar and hot water. Add the milk powder, icing sugar and butter in an electric mixer. Add the hot water and blend until smooth. Cool and store in an airtight container.
Are plantains healthier than bananas?
Cooked plantains have more potassium than regular bananas. Also, because it has a naturally low glycemic index. It is ideal for diabetic patients. Although, you would probably need to skip on the condensed milk if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Conclusion
Easy and delicious! Ripe plantains are sprinkled with cinnamon, cooked in butter, drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. This is a dessert everyone will enjoy. You can also bake or grill either plantains or bananas until caramelized. Whichever way cooked, this pan-fried treat is sure to be a hit with your family!Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
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Cam Hi, I wanted to say this recipe deserves 5 stars. I tried it out and it was delicious!! I loved it. :D Reply -
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