Growing up, my mom would make platanitos for the fam and they were honestly my favorite. Still are to this day! We also call them mariquitas or chicharitas.

Plantain chips are peeled and sliced green plantains that are baked or fried to perfection. Unripe green plantains are so versatile. You can make crispy tostones or these plantain chips.

I’ve made these plantain chips in 3 different ways: fried, baked, and in the air fryer.

Slicing Plantains Into Chips

Peel the green plantains by slicing a shallow opening lengthwise using a sharp knife. Remove the green peel. Discard.

Thinly slice the plantain into round slices, about 1/8-inch thick, using a knife or a mandoline slicer. You want them to be all the same thickness so they all cook evenly.

Cooking Methods – 3 Ways

Plantain chips can be made using different cooking methods. Frying on the stovetop is the traditional method which is the best option. To be honest, it’s not my favorite because I’m always scared of oil splattering on my face.

If you’re like me (hi, we’re twins), baking plantain chips in the oven is a good option but the crunch is slightly different. Same with the air fryer. It’s another great option which I like a lot (I use my air fryer way too much, do you?).

Here are the 3 methods:

Frying On The Stove

In a large deep skillet, heat about 1 cup of oil to 400ºF. The oil should be about 1/2 inch deep. Add plantain slices to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Remove the fried plantain chips with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with salt. Enjoy!

Air Fryer Plantain Chips

Place the plantain slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook the plantain slices for 10-12 minutes at 360ºF, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once crispy and golden, remove the chips from the air fryer and immediately sprinkle them with salt. Enjoy!

Baking In The Oven

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place plantain slices on a baking sheet. Spray with cooking oil and place in the oven.

Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Sprinkle with salt. Enjoy!

Making Garlic Mojo Sauce

While this garlic mojo sauce has similar ingredients as my Cuban mojo marinade, this tangy, garlicky sauce is way better for chips.

Just whisk together garlic, sour orange juice (which you can make from scratch – recipe below), olive oil, salt and pepper. That’s it!

You can store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just bring it to room temperature before serving.

Storage Tips

Store plantain chips in a resealable plastic bag with the excess air squeezed out for about a week. You can re-crisp the plantain chips in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350ºF. Let them cool completely before storing them again.