You can quickly microwave a ripe plantain to perfection with just a few simple steps. Let me show you how.
Microwaving ripe plantains is a quick and convenient option and my go-to way for making my Healthy Plantain Breakfast or Plantain Mash.
It's a great method to use when you don't have much time to cook but want something hearty and sweet in the morning or make a quick side dish out of sweet plantains.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: In 5 minutes, you can have a cooked plantain for a quick breakfast, side dish, or dessert.
- Delicious: Retains the natural sweetness and texture of the plantain.
- Soft & Tender: The microwave method ensures your plantain cooks evenly and maintains a soft, tender texture.
- Versatile: Season it with sweet or savory toppings and customize it to your taste.
- Dietary Info: A great option for those following gluten-free, vegan, Paleo, or whole-food diets.
Ingredients & Notes
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- Sweet Ripe Plantains: These are perfect for microwave cooking. You can find plantains in most grocery stores next to bananas. A ripe plantain usually has still somewhat of a yellow skin with black spots. The more black spots, the sweeter the plantain will be. I usually pick the ones that still feel slightly firm because they are sweet enough for a plantain breakfast yet will hold their shape well when cooked.
- Water: To wet the paper towel and create steam in the microwave.
Note: You can still microwave completely blackened plantains. They are very sweet, but I find them too mushy for this recipe.
How To Microwave A Plantain
See the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card.
The idea is to quickly steam and cook this flavorful fruit in its peel and wrapped with a wet paper towel.
The whole thing is ready in minutes, and it's a perfect way to cook a plantain for mornings or lunch when you want something substantial without spending too much time in the kitchen. Then, you choose your favorite ways to dress it up.
Here's what to do:
Step One (Picture 1 above) - Cut the ends of the plantain and discard them (don't peel yet). Make a lengthwise cross-section cut halfway through the plantain.
Step Two (Picture 2 above) - Wrap it in a large paper towel. Wet the paper towel with a bit of water on all sides.
Step Three (Picture 3 above) - Place the wrapped plantain in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high heat. Let it cool for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plantain from the microwave, unwrap, and peel the soft fruit. It should be soft and tender.
Step Four (Picture 4 above) - Place the peeled plantain on a small plate or bowl, cut side up, and gently open it to create a boat shape. Top with a fried egg or your choice of toppings.
Top Tips
- Alert: Be careful when taking the plantain out of the microwave. It's very hot. So let it sit for a few seconds to a minute.
- Microwave Settings: I prefer three full minutes on high settings, but if the plantain is already quite mushy or you like it less soft, go for a minute less. Always check for the desired consistency and microwave for an extra minute if you like it softer.
- Microwaving More Than One: Double or triple the ingredients for large portions! If you carefully unwrap, you can reuse the wet paper towel to microwave other plantains. Always slightly wet it again. I sometimes reuse the same paper towel to microwave up to 4 plantains.
- Green Plantains & Ripening Process: If you only find green or hard yellow plantains in-store, ripe them at home by placing them in a large brown bag at room temperature. A fair warning: It can take several days to a week before plantains are ripe and wonderfully sweet. It all depends on the season and temperature. Lately, I have been adding some apples to the bag, which speeds up the process. Usually, local Asian or Latin markets carry already ripened plantains if you are in a hurry.
Storage
A microwaved plantain is best enjoyed right away. If you have leftover cooked plantains, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Know that the texture might change. You can reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds, covered with a damp paper towel, or on the stovetop in some oil.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few suggestions:
- Make my Plantain Breakfast with scrambled or fried eggs, or top it with your favorite yogurt, cottage cheese, seeds, nuts, and crunchy Steel-Cut Oats Granola for a healthy parfait.
- Make a quick 15-minute Plantain Mash.
- Add sweetness and texture to oatmeal.
- Use it to make baby food, or add it to your potato mash.
Recipe FAQs
If the plantain is too firm, don't microwave it; it’s likely not ripe enough. Let it ripen further at room temperature for a few days, and try again when it has more black spots.
A ripe plantain usually has yellow skin with black spots. The more black spots, the sweeter the plantain will be. But for this recipe, avoid overripe plantains. The fruit should still feel slightly firm but somewhat soft when pressing it with your thumb. Make sure they have the sweet aroma of bananas.
Yes, Instead of individually, you can microwave multiple wrapped plantains and adjust the cooking time. For example, I individually wrap and wet three large plantains and then microwave them for about 9 minutes. If I want more, I use the same paper towels to wrap the next batch, rewet, and microwave again. When in doubt, always start with fewer cooking minutes, check, and microwave for longer when needed. The plantains should feel super soft and cooked through.
More Plantain Recipes To Try Next
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Microwaving plantains is such a quick and easy method and a great way to enjoy a flavorful, sweet plantain recipe in minutes.
📖 Recipe
How To Quickly Microwave a Plantain
Mariska RamondinoEquipment
- 1 Microwave-safe plate To quickly steam and soften the plantain.
- 1 Wet paper towel To wrap the plantain and steam it in the microwave.
- 1 Knife For cutting the plantain.
- Plate or bowl For serving the cooked ripe plantain.
Ingredients
- 1 large, ripe, and sweet plantain
- water
Instructions
- Cut the ends of the plantain and discard them (don't peel yet). Make a lengthwise cross-section cut halfway through the plantain.1 large, ripe, and sweet plantain
- Wrap it in a large paper towel. Wet the paper towel with a bit of water on all sides.water
- Place the wrapped plantain in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high heat. Let it cool for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plantain from the microwave, unwrap, and peel the soft fruit. It should be soft and tender.
- Place the peeled plantain on a small plate or bowl, cut side up, and gently open it to create a boat shape. Top with a fried egg or your choice of toppings.
Notes
-
- Alert: Be careful when taking the plantain out of the microwave. It's very hot. So let it sit for a few seconds to a minute.
-
- Microwave Settings: I prefer three full minutes on high settings, but if the plantain is already quite mushy or you like it less soft, go for a minute less. Always check for the desired consistency and microwave for an extra minute if you like it softer.
-
- Microwaving More Than One: Double or triple the ingredients for large portions! If you carefully unwrap, you can reuse the wet paper towel to microwave other plantains. Always slightly wet it again. I sometimes reuse the same paper towel to microwave up to 4 plantains.
-
- Green Plantains & Ripening Process: If you only find green or hard yellow plantains in-store, ripe them at home by placing them in a large brown bag at room temperature. A fair warning: It can take several days to a week before plantains are ripe and wonderfully sweet. It all depends on the season and temperature. Lately, I have been adding some apples to the bag, which speeds up the process. Usually, local Asian or Latin markets carry already ripened plantains if you are in a hurry.
-
- Go For Sweet Plantains: This method works best with very ripe plantains. They can be primarily black with some yellow spots yet still feel slightly firm or yellow plantains with brown spots here and there. Make sure they have the sweet aroma of bananas and are somewhat soft when placing some pressure on them with your thumb.
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Nutrition (% Daily value)
Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.
This quick guide was part of the Healthy Breakfast recipe. A separate post has been created for clarity purposes.
Mariska Ramondino says
One of my favorite ways to enjoy a microwaved plantain is by topping it with eggs sunny side up or scrambled eggs. And I coat the inside with some coconut or avocado oil. It's an incredibly satisfying breakfast. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!