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Plátanos Maduros Fritos

A traditional Costa Rican dish — Plátanos Maduros Fritos are ripe plantains fried until the natural sugars caramelize into a deep golden glaze.

⏱ 5 minPrep time
🔥 10 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 Costa Rican KitchenCategory
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A traditional Costa Rican dish — Plátanos Maduros Fritos are ripe plantains fried until the natural sugars caramelize into a deep golden glaze. They are soft and sweet in the middle with a lightly crisp edge, the essential sweet counterpoint on every casado plate. In Costa Rica they are also eaten as a snack with natilla or queso fresco.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Peel the plantains and slice them on the diagonal into half-inch-thick pieces.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Fry the plantain slices in a single layer for three to four minutes per side, until deep golden brown and caramelized at the edges.
  4. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and serve hot.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Patience is the secret — cook them over medium heat so the sugars caramelize slowly instead of burning. The riper the plantain, the sweeter and softer the result.

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Recipe details

Prep5 min
Cook10 min
Servings4
CategoryCosta Rican Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →