A traditional Guatemalan dish — Rellenitos de Plátano are sweet, golden dumplings of mashed ripe plantain wrapped around a filling of sweetened black beans. The unlikely pairing of fruit and beans is pure Guatemalan genius: creamy, caramel-sweet, and gently spiced with cinnamon. Eaten as a snack, dessert, or even breakfast, they are best dusted with sugar while still warm.
Rellenitos de Plátano
A traditional Guatemalan dish — Rellenitos de Plátano are sweet, golden dumplings of mashed ripe plantain wrapped around a filling of sweetened black beans.

Step by stepInstructions
- Simmer the plantains in their skins in water for 25 minutes, until very soft; drain, cool slightly, peel, and mash into a smooth paste, adding a pinch of salt.
- Mash the black beans, then cook them in a saucepan with the lard, sugar, and cinnamon, stirring, until thick and slightly shiny, about 10 minutes.
- Take a handful of plantain paste, flatten it in your palm, place a spoonful of bean filling in the center, and shape it into a plump oval, sealing the filling completely.
- Fry the rellenitos in hot oil over medium heat, turning, until deep golden brown and crisp on all sides, about 3 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels and dust generously with sugar and a little cinnamon; serve warm.
💡 Chef tips & storage
The plantains must be very ripe or the paste will be starchy and won't hold together. Extra filling can be rolled into the centers of tortillas for an impromptu snack.

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