Plantains are a tropical, starchy, semi-sweet, and sometimes savory fruit related to bananas. Commonly cooked in butter or oil to develop a caramelized crust and a richer flavor, fried plantains taste great dipped in aioli or sweetened yogurt, garnished with ice cream, or paired with hearty entrees. If you couldn’t already tell, fried plantains are a versatile dish that can be drenched in a slew of sugary sweetness or dolled up in satisfying umami fixings. Sometimes, however, the best dishes are made simply, which is why a generous drizzle of honey draped over fried plantains is one of the most luxurious yet laid-back ways to enjoy them.
Honey clings to the warm, golden edges of fried plantains, amplifying their natural sweetness while introducing an aromatic trim that doesn’t overpower their unique flavor. The sticky glaze of honey provides a silky finish that deepens each bite, drawing out the plantain’s soft, custard-like interior and balancing its crisp exterior for a more dynamic mouthfeel. Honey’s on-the-nose floral notes echo the tropical roots of the fruit, making every bite more immersive and complete. Honey doesn’t just impart sweetness, it amplifies what’s already there, turning a humble, easy-to-make side dish into something indulgent and luxurious without trying too hard.
Jazzing up honey-drenched fried plantains
Honey-kissed fried plantains are as easy to prepare as they are to scarf down in one sitting. Adding to their appeal, honey-smothered fried plantains also pair seamlessly with many other fixings and foods. Whether it’s a slurry of spices, a freckle of herbs, a dessert, or an entree, your options for marrying fried plantains are anything but limited.
To keep things simple, dust honey-dipped fried plantains in cinnamon to provide its tropical, summery notes with a dimension of spicy warmth. Go bigger with a fall-inspired pumpkin spice blend featuring cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Nut butter with a sesame seed garnish can bolster the creamy interior of plantains while developing a more luscious mouthfeel infused with an earthy, toasty, and crunchy finish. Walk the line between sweet, savory, and spicy by introducing a spoonful of chili crunch.
For a more robust pairing, plate honey-topped fried plantains alongside jerk chicken, where the heat and explosive flavor from the allspice, scotch bonnet, and thyme are mellowed perfectly by the sweet custardy goodness of the fried fruit. Honey-topped fried plantains are also an excellent addition to poolside skewers. For dessert, give a classic banana split a funky twist by swapping bananas for your honey-soaked fried plantains.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of honey, either. Hot honey balances the sweet and savory notes with a touch of fiery heat, whipped honey is primed for dunking, and orange-blossom honey imparts delicate notes of citrusy brightness. Whether you enjoy them as a snack or integrate them into a larger spread of food, honey-infused fried plantains are an instant classic.
