Plantain Chips with Honey-Chipotle Sauce is a delicious, crispy snack that combines plantain chips’ natural sweetness and crunch with a sweet and spicy honey-chipotle sauce. This dish is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can transform into something extraordinary, offering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that are both satisfying and addictive.
Unlike bananas, plantains are starchy and hold up well to frying or baking, making them ideal for creating crispy chips. The process begins by peeling and thinly slicing the plantains into rounds. To achieve the perfect crispiness, the plantain slices are soaked in cold water to remove excess starch, which ensures the chips become golden and crunchy when cooked. Once prepped, the plantain slices are fried in vegetable. Frying the plantain chips in hot oil for just a few minutes per side results in a beautifully golden and crispy chips.
What Makes Plantains Perfect for Chips?
Unlike bananas, plantains are starchy, making them ideal for frying or baking without becoming mushy. Their firm texture holds up well under heat, resulting in crispy, golden chips.
- Peel and slice the plantains into thin rounds for even cooking
- Soak in cold water to remove excess starch and ensure crispiness
- Fry in hot vegetable oil for just a few minutes per side until golden and crunchy
This dish’s standout element is the Honey Chipotle Sauce. This sauce is the delightful blend of sweet and spicy, combining the natural sweetness of honey with the smoky, robust heat of chipotle peppers. Dried chipotle peppers are rehydrated, minced, and mixed with honey, lime juice, soy sauce, and ground cumin to make the sauce. This combination creates a complex sauce that is sweet and tangy, with a smoky heat that lingers just enough to keep things interesting. The lime juice adds a bright acidity that balances the sweetness of the honey and the deep, earthy notes of the chipotle peppers, while the cumin adds a warm, aromatic undertone.
The versatility of this dish makes it suitable for various occasions. It can be served as an appetizer or snack, a side dish for grilled meats, or even as part of a more extensive spread at a party. The plantain chips can be enjoyed on their own or dipped into the honey-chipotle sauce, offering a burst of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors with every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Plantain Chips
- Crispy and crunchy with a golden, light texture
- Balanced sweet and spicy flavors from the honey-chipotle sauce
- Simple to make with minimal prep and quick frying time
- Naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly
- Versatile as a snack, appetizer, or side dish for grilled meats
Plantain Chips with Honey Chipotle Sauce is a dish that perfectly balances simplicity and complexity. The crispiness of the plantain chips pairs beautifully with the sweet and smoky heat of the honey-chipotle sauce, creating a snack that is as enjoyable to eat as it is to prepare. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Latin and Caribbean flavors or simply looking for a new twist on a classic snack, this dish will surely impress with its vibrant taste and texture.
Plantain Chips with Honey Chipotle Sauce
4
servings45
minutes20
minutes1
hour5
minutesPlantain Chips with Honey Chipotle Sauce is a crispy, sweet, and spicy snack that combines crunchy plantain chips with a bold honey chipotle dipping sauce. This dish offers a delicious balance of flavors and textures, perfect as an appetizer or side.
Ingredients
- For the Plantain Chips
3 large yellow plantains, peeled and thinly sliced
for frying, vegetable oil
to taste, salt
- For the Honey Chipotle Sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 dried chipotle peppers, rehydrated and chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 teaspoon cumin
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
Directions
- Rehydrate the Chipotle Peppers:
Place the dried chipotle peppers in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 15-20 minutes until softened. Once rehydrated, remove the stems and seeds, then chop the peppers finely. - Prepare the Honey Chipotle Sauce:
Combine the chipotle peppers, honey, lime juice, soy sauce, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix well. Set aside until ready to use to let the flavors meld. - Prepare the Plantain Chips:
Peel the plantains and slice them into thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. Place the sliced plantains in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for 15 minutes to extract excess starch. Drain and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. - Fry the Plantain Chips:
Heat ~1″ of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the plantain slices in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
Remove the plantains from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Immediately season with salt while still warm. - Serve:
Arrange the crispy plantain chips on a serving platter. Serve with the honey chipotle sauce on the side for dipping, or drizzle the sauce over the chips for a sweet and spicy finish.
Notes
- Baking Option:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the plantain slices with vegetable oil and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Season with salt right after baking.
SUGGESTED RECIPE: Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
For a bold and well-balanced meal, pair your Plantain Chips with Honey Chipotle Sauce alongside Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce. The smoky-sweet heat of the chipotle sauce perfectly complements the juicy steak, while the crispy plantain chips provide a satisfying crunch against the tender beef. Fresh chimichurri sauce adds bright, herbaceous notes that tie everything together, creating an irresistible combination of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors in every bite. This pairing transforms your plantain chips from a simple snack into an essential component of a memorable meal.
This is a fantastic. I love plantain chips.