These scrumptious cinnamon-dusted plantains are a staple around here – not only are they one of my favorite nutrient-rich carbs when I’m doing a Whole30, but they’re a welcome addition to any latin-inspired meal! (Sidebar: I was first introduced to fried plantains while visiting my parents who were serving in the mission field in Costa Rica. It was love at first bite!)

Plantains are similar to bananas, but contain more starch and less sugar. In addition, they contain higher levels of potassium, fiber and vitamins A and C, as well as other important nutrients such as vitamin B6 and magnesium.

I love using ghee when frying plantains, because it gives them a savory brown buttery flavor that is simply out of this world. Of course, you can also use butter (if you’re not doing Whole30). Another delicious option is coconut oil, which adds to the natural sweetness of ripe plantains.

How to Make Cinnamon-Dusted Plantains

This latin-inspired favorite is definitely one of the easiest side dishes to make and it’s super quick too, especially if you have a large skillet. I definitely recommend making extras, because it’s hard not to get a little carried away by their incredible flavor. Besides, leftover fried plantains make a wonderful addition to breakfast (see details below).

Ingredients:
• Ripe yellow plantains
• Ghee (or coconut oil)
• Ground cinnamon

Step One: Slice Ripe Plantains
Be sure to use ripe yellow plantains for best flavor. The skins will begin to blacken the riper the plantain gets, which results in a sweeter, less starchy flavor. Once ripened, cut off the ends of each plantain, score the skin using a paring knife and peel. Then cut at a slight diagonal into 1/4-inch slices.

Step Two: Brown Lightly
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add two tablespoons of ghee (or coconut oil). Working in batches, add the plantains slices evenly in the pan so they are not overlapping (as shown in photo above). 

Fry for 1-2 minutes on one side, until golden brown. Lightly sprinkle the plantains with ground cinnamon. Then, use tongs to flip and cook for another minute or two on the other side.

Transfer the fried plantains to a plate lined with paper towels (or a clean kitchen towel). Add additional ghee (or coconut oil) as needed and continue cooking in batches until all of the plantains are fried.

Step Three: Enjoy!
Cinnamon-dusted fried plantains are a tasty compliment to just about any main dish, such as grilled chicken, lettuce-wrap tacos, burgers and more!

Got leftover plantains? As shown below, you can wake up those sleepy heads with a nutritious breakfast that combines the all-natural sweetness of ripe plantains with a hearty veggie egg scramble. In less than 10 minutes, dinner leftovers are magically transformed into a newfound breakfast favorite!

Green is such a beautiful color! But often when it comes to healthy eating, instead of it signaling us to GO, GO, GO and gobble up these nutrient-dense delights, for many kids (and adults), it’s more like a red flag that stops them in their tracks.

So how can we encourage picky eaters to give greens a chance? The best bet is to prepare them in the most delicious ways possible. And frankly, I can’t think of a better way to make greens more appetizing than to add a little bacon to the mix. Our grandmas know best! Especially if you grew up in the South, you know that bacon or ham is a must-have addition when cooking-up greens – and for good reason, it results in remarkable flavor that’s hard to resist!

Of course, there will still be those that turn up their nose, but that just means more for those of us who appreciate a healthy-dose of green goodness. And, there’s always the option of sneaking in some greens by using the leftovers in soups, quiches, or even in pasta sauces (see recipe notes below).

Personally, I’ve found that continually encouraging healthy eating by providing lots of delicious opportunities to partake in its goodness, eventually leads picky eaters to expand their culinary horizons slowly, but surely!

Plus … a quick and easy breakfast!
Leftover sautéed also make a nutritious way to start the day! They’re especially delicious paired with a pastured egg or two. Want to make someone special smile? Use a cute cookie cutter to create “sunshine on a plate.” Simply crack an egg in a small prep bowl. Then, butter a cookie cutter and a preheated skillet. Place the cookie cutter on a preheated and well-buttered skillet so it lays completely flat. Gently pour in the egg and allow it to cook until set. Yummy and FUN!