Who doesn’t love chips? They are crunchy, salty, and filling, but they are also a great way to stall any weight loss plan. Made from potatoes and fried to give it that crunch, chips often pack loads of sodium and grease that lead to a huge load of unwanted calories. Instead, why not opt out for some equally delicious and equally crunchy oven baked plantains?
Plantains come from the same family as Bananas and are equally as healthy. Loaded with potassium and fiber, they are a great addition to anyone’s diet, provided they are cooked right. Plantains are usually fried, which can lead to unwanted calories, but bake them, and you have the same rich flavor, minus the calories. To start we’ll need:
- 1 plantain for every 2 people, depending on their sizes. Be sure to check for large black spots.
- Canola oil, a spray or brush will do for application.
Once we have our ingredients in place, we’ll need to:
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Cut off the ends off of the plantain. Cut a line down the Plantain to remove the peel, and then chop up your plantains into 1/2-inch thick diagonal (slanted) slices.
- Apply a silicone-covered baking sheet lightly with oil. Place the plantain slices on it on a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes or until they’re bottoms are visibly browned. Pay close attention to them because they can burn very easily and quickly. Flip the slices over. Bake until both sides are golden; usually takes about 25 minutes. Serve warm.
If you’re craving a sweet dipping sauce to complement the plantains, try this sweet coconut dipping sauce! All you need is:
- 1/2 cup of coconut yogurt
- 1 Tbsp of unsweetened coconut flakes
Mix well both ingredients well in the bowl and enjoy!