These Easy Air Fryer Plantain Chips are crispy, delicious, and so easy to make. Made with just 4 ingredients, these homemade plantain chips are air-fried until perfectly crunchy and seriously addictive! They’re healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly too.
I can confidently say these are one of the best homemade plantain chips!
I have grown up having plenty of these Kerala banana chips to accompany traditional palakkad meals like Vegetable Molagootal and Archavittu Onion Sambar regularly. Not just for meals, they are delicious for snacking with Coffee or Vegan Indian Masala Tea.
Even today, when someone visits us from Kerala or Coimbatore(in Tamil Nadu), I get treated to a few boxes of these trademark Kerala Banana chips. We used stock them for a few months like treasure and enjoy them in reserve.
But not any more! Ever since I have been air frying these chips for a few years now, we enjoy these homemade banana chips regularly - it's so easy to make!
Jump to:
- 👩🏻🍳Pro Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Plantain Chips
- Plantain Chips are Kerala Banana Chips
- Why You'll Love Homemade Plantain Chips?
- Air frying Time for Plantain Chips
- Ingredients You Will Need
- How to Make Air Fryer Plantain Chips?
- How to Air fry Plantain Chips in Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air fryer
- Storing Homemade Plantain Chips
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
- Air Fryer Plantain Chips (Kerala Banana Chips)
👩🏻🍳Pro Tips For Making The Best Air Fryer Plantain Chips
- Use coconut oil – For the real taste of Kerala, use coconut oil for tossing the chips. That’s exactly what the chips shop vendors in Kerala use!
- Don’t skip the soaking step – It’s essential for removing starch.
- Slice thin – Use a mandolin slicer to cut the plantain into thin slices. The thinner the slices, the crispier they’ll be and the quicker they’ll cook.
- Air fry in two steps – First, dehydrate the slices to make sure they’re evenly dried out (no wet or shiny spots). Second, increase the temperature to crisp up the plantain chips.
- Flip while air frying – Some slices may stick together or stay wet, so turn them around for even cooking.
- Pile them up – Instead of arranging slices in a single layer, stack them in the basket. Surprising, I know! But since the chips tend to fly around anyway, piling works just fine and also gives you a good portion ready more quickly.
- Keep an eye near the end – Plantain chips can go from perfectly cooked to burnt very fast, so watch them carefully.
- Cool before serving – Let them rest for a bit after cooking. They crisp up even more as they cool.
Plantain Chips are Kerala Banana Chips
These are thin, crispy slices made from unripe plantains (called nendran bananas) and fried in coconut oil until perfectly crunchy. In Kerala, they are known as ethakka upperi in Malayalam and are a beloved snack, often served during the festive Onam Sadhya.
Why You'll Love Homemade Plantain Chips?
- You only need 4 Ingredients!
- Homemade Banana Chips / Plantain Chips does not have any artificial preservatives. So you know the ingredients that are going into it.
- You can choose how to make it - Air fry, Bake or Deep fry!
- You are not spending fortune buying plantain chips from the stores. I must admit these are a lot cheaper in India than in UK or else where.
- Perfect for picnics, parties and even lunch box snack.
- These are air fried and not deep fried, so you can enjoy them guilt free!
- Suitable for Vegan & Gluten Free Diet
- Picky eaters really love it too!
Air frying Time for Plantain Chips
Air frying time for Plantain Chips depends upon the model of the air fryer. I was using Philips Viva Airfryer and Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air fryer. Now I use Air fryer 6 in Vortex Plus.
- How thin or thick the chips are sliced. If the chips are cut thick, air frying time will be more.
- Do you overlap the chips on top over each other in the basket or arrange them in a single layer. I have made these chips with both the methods and they work great.
When you arrange the chips in a single layer, cooking time required will be lesser than the mentioned time. You also have to take it into account that this will only give you a smaller portion at a time.
When you arrange the chips over lapping each other in the air fryer basket, it requires you to monitor every few minutes and turn them around. But you can also make twice the amount of chips in single go.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Plantain are also from the Banana family. Use Green unripe Plantain also called as nendran banana or ethakka to make chips.
- Coconut Oil - Any oil will typically work. But Kerala chips are fried in coconut oil instead of any other oil, so I prefer using coconut oil to recreate chips thats quite close to heart.
- Turmeric - Adds a hint of yellow color to chips.
- Salt - Just for flavouring!
How to Make Air Fryer Plantain Chips?
Step 1:Peel & Soak the Plantain - Slice the ends and then peel the plantain with a peeler or knife.
Transfer the peeled plantain into a mixing bowl filled with water & turmeric. Allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes. This step will remove any additional starch from the plantain banana. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Tip: Save the skin for making a delicious thoran side dish. Make 2- 3 slits down the length of plantain; it will help in peeling them apart easily.
Step 2: Slice Thin - Slice thinly the Plantain with a mandolin slicer ( my preferred choice ) or knife.
Step 3: Toss with oil & seasoning - Toss the plantain chips slices to a small bowl with coconut oil & turmeric . Sprinkle with salt.
Step 4: Air fry. Place the sliced plantains in the air fryer basket, either overlapping or in a single layer. Cook at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes. If still wet, add 2–3 more minutes. Then increase the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and cook for 2–3 minutes, checking every minute, and remove any chips that are done.
How to Air fry Plantain Chips in Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air fryer
To make plantain chips in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, brush the air fryer basket with oil and arrange the plantain slices. Use the AIRFRY function at 300°F (150°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. Then increase to 350°F (180°C) for 2–3 minutes, checking until crisp.
Cool the chips for a moment, as they will crisp up more as they rest. Then season with a bit more salt if you like, and serve!
Storing Homemade Plantain Chips
Once your plantain chips have cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight storage container or a sealable bag at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. They’ll stay crisp for up to 4 to 5 days as long as they are dry. After that, they may lose their crunch.
Recipe FAQ's
It’s optional, but a light sprinkle of salt before frying can help them crisp up by drawing out moisture. Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much salt beforehand can make them chewy. After frying, you can add more seasoning to taste.
You can easily make plantain chips in an air fryer or bake them in the oven. Simply slice the plantains thinly, brush them lightly with oil, and cook at a moderate temperature (around 350°F in the air fryer & oven) until crisp. This way, you get a crunchy snack with less oil.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
Equipment
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp Airfryer
- Philips Viva Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 Plantain
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- Salt to taste
For soaking the plantain ( green banana )
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 2 Cup Water
Instructions
- Peel the Plantain - Slice the ends and then peel the plantain with a peeler or knife. Save the skin for making a delicious thoran side dish. making 2- 3 slits down the length will help in peeling them apart easily.
- Soak the peeled plantain - Mix the turmeric powder in a bowl of water and soak the peeled plantain for at least 30 minutes. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
- Slice Thin - Slice thinly the Plantain with a mandolin slicer ( my preferred choice ) or knife.
- Toss with oil & seasoning - Toss the plantain chips slices with coconut oil & turmeric . Sprinkle with salt.
- Air fry - Arrange all the slices from the plantain into the air fryer basket overlapping each other. Select the AIRFRY programme. Adjust the +/- keys to adjust the Time and Temperature to 150 C / 350 F and 10 - 12 minutes. Press Start. Flip and turn the plantain chips around every 5 minutes, so that they evenly dry out. This initial de hydrating time depends on how much your plantain chips have wet and shiny spots. All the chips need to evenly dry out. Now Increase the temperature to 180C / 350F and cook for 2-3 minutes, checking every 1 minute in between. If you seen some of the chips are ready, remove them and continue to cook.
- Cool to Crisp - Allow the chips to cook a bit as they will crisp further.
- Season and serve - Sprinkle a little more salt if you prefer and serve.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Use coconut oil – For the real taste of Kerala, use coconut oil for tossing the chips. That’s exactly what the chip shop vendors in Kerala use!
- Don’t skip the soaking step – It’s essential for removing starch.
- Slice thin – Use a mandolin slicer to cut the plantain into thin slices. The thinner the slices, the crispier they’ll be and the quicker they’ll cook.
- Air fry in two steps – First, dehydrate the slices to make sure they’re evenly dried out (no wet or shiny spots). Second, increase the temperature to crisp up the plantain chips.
- Flip while air frying – Some slices may stick together or stay wet, so turn them around for even cooking.
- Pile them up – Instead of arranging slices in a single layer, stack them in the basket. Surprising, I know! But since the chips tend to fly around anyway, piling works just fine and also gives you a good portion ready more quickly.
- Keep an eye near the end – Plantain chips can go from perfectly cooked to burnt very fast, so watch them carefully.
- Cool before serving – Let them rest for a bit after cooking. They crisp up even more as they cool.
Lynne says
Thanks, this is the best airfryer plantains I have made! recipe saved!
Sandhya Hariharan says
That's great to know Lynne! easy plantain chips recipe to make in the air fryer isn't it!
Garry says
I just made these as the first receipt in my new airfyer They came out perfect and tasted delicious, ended up making more.
Seetha says
Thanks for sharing your recipe. I followed it to the dot and omg the chips came out so good. Hubby and I finished them as they came out of the fryer… before I could take a snap.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Thank you, Seetha!! So glad your air fryer plantain chips came out perfectly. It simply makes my day.
Vk says
Plantain chips are close to my heart . Coming from kerala , THE place for these chips - haven’t found one to come anywhere in the world . Got to say this guilt free recipe was amazing . Best that I have tasted outside of Kerala ... Made it last night. Very good recipe. I have a bad habit of not following recipe to the T so just eye balled the time - felt like it took way more than 2-3 min second round - could be because it was a bit crowded
But have to say , tasted amazing .it tasted great the next day as well.
Thanks Sandhya
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Thank you so much VK for the feedback. Your plantain chips looked amazing and I was so thrilled to see them.
Renuka says
New hands on Air fryer, wanna trying to get that perfect chips and with your said temp. Chips turned out so perfect.. Thank you Sandhya so much..
Hazel says
Looking forward to trying these Sandhya. I finally found right plantains 🙂 Will report back how they turn out
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Fab Hazel! I can't wait to see your chips!
Deanne says
I had a roommate in college from Panama and she used to make these. Now i can make them on my own in the air fryer. So good!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
These plantain chips look good and I love that they're healthy. I've actually never had plantains before but they sure look like bananas!
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Plantain is another member of the Banana family. These are different to raw banana's but they are surely perfect for guilt free snacking.
Jessica Formicola says
We made these yesterday for the kids to snack on and they were delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!
Caroline says
I didn't realise plantain chips were also popular in Kerala as it's more the Caribbean I associate them with, but in any event they're tasty and I love that you've made them that bit healthier by using the air fryer. Look yummy1
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Oh yes! Plantain Chips are extremely popular in Kerala. You must pick a few packs if every you are visiting - Kerala Banana Chips are the best!
Dannii says
I ate so many plantain chips when we were in the Caribbean. I am going to have to try making them myself.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Sure do Dannii! These Plantain Chips are absolutely healthy ( specially because they are made in Air fryer ).