If you’ve never tried baked plantains with cheese, you’re missing out on one of the simplest (and most delicious) combos around. The sweetness of the plantain plays perfectly with the salty cheese, especially with a spoonful of salprieta on top!
What are baked plantains with cheese?
Baked plantains with cheese—plátanos asados con queso—are whole ripe plantains that are baked until soft and caramelized, then stuffed with a thick slice of cheese. You can use a cold slice of queso fresco for a creamy contrast in texture and temperature, or a melty cheese like mozzarella for that gooey, stretchy pull. They’re often topped with a spoonful of salprieta, a peanut-based seasoning from Ecuador that adds crunch and flavor!
Baked plantain is common in various countries of Latin America, but this is a very common snack or dinner here in Ecuador. Dinner is usually lighter than lunch, so this makes the perfect light dinner with a cup of coffee (yes, we drink coffee with dinner here!) or tea! Plus, it is a super easy 3-ingredient recipe!
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Ingredients
You just need a handful of ingredients to make this cheese stuffed plantains recipe. Here's what you'll need:
- Ripe yellow plantains: Choose plantains with mostly yellow skin and some black spots. These will be sweet and soft after baking, with caramelized edges. You can usually find these at any grocery store, but they are more likely to be found at specialty stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts. If you only find green plantain, just buy them and let them ripen.
- Cheese: Queso fresco offers a salty, cool contrast to the warm plantains. For a melty option, try mozzarella, Oaxaca, or Monterey Jack.
- Salprieta (optional) – A traditional Ecuadorian condiment made with ground peanuts, cornmeal, and spices. It adds a toasty, nutty finish to the dish!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Baked Plantains with Cheese
Step 1 - Prep the Plantains
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Peel the plantains: Cut off the ends of the plantains, then slice lengthwise through the skin and peel.
Step 2 - Bake
Bake the plantains: Place them on baking sheet with parchment paper (for easy clean up) and bake for 40 minutes, until soft and golden.
Add the cheese: Slice each plantain lengthwise (but not all the way through) and tuck in the slices of cheese.
Step 3 - Stuff & Enjoy
Add the salprieta: If using, spoon salprieta into each plantain on one side of the cheese.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Tip! For melted cheese, place the cheese in the horizontal slit of the plantains, and broil for a couple of minutes until melty.
How to Cook Whole Plantains in the Air Fryer
To make baked plantains with cheese in the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel the plantains and place them in the basket.
- Air fry for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are golden brown and soft.
- Carefully slice and stuff with cheese slices (and salprieta if using).
- If using melty cheese, return to the air fryer for 1–2 more minutes to melt.
You can also grill your plantains if you prefer! Keep them on indirect heat though, since they will burn easily due to the sugar content in the plantains.
How to Serve Baked Sweet Plantains with Cheese
- Serve as a side dish with grilled meats or rice and beans.
- Enjoy as a snack or appetizer.
- Try stuffed ripe plantain for breakfast or brunch, paired with eggs and avocado.
- Top with salprieta and chopped cilantro for extra flavor and texture, served with a cup of coffee.
Recipe Variations
There are many different ways to make baked plantains depending on your mood—sweet, savory, or somewhere in between. Here are a few favorite variations:
- Guava and Cheese: Add this slices of guava paste alongside the cheese for a sweet and salty combination. It pairs beautifully with queso fresco or mozzarella.
- Stuffed with Picadillo: For a heartier twist, slice the plantain open and fill it with a spoonful of ground beef picadillo. The sweet plantain and savory meat are a classic combo!
- Black Beans and Cheese: A vegetarian option that’s still filling and delicious—add a spoonful of seasoned black beans before the cheese.
- Melty Cheese Only: If you’re skipping the extras, go all in on the cheese. Use mozzarella, Oaxaca, or Monterey Jack and return the plantains to the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to melt it thoroughly.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. You can also microwave them, but they’ll be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not for this specific recipe, no. Stuffed plantains are best with riper plantains. Once you bake green plantains, they get hard on the outside and are not good for stuffing with cheese. If you roast a green plantain, you can break the pieces off and dip them into grated queso fresco, instead.
Queso fresco is traditional and adds a creamy, salty bite. For melting, use mozzarella, Oaxaca, or any mild melty cheese.
More Recipes to Try
- Air Fryer Yuca Fries
- Fried Sweet Plantains
- Plantain Fries
- Chifles (Plantain Chips)
- Ecuadorian Empanadas de Verde
Baked Sweet Plantains with Cheese and Salprieta
Ingredients
- 2 yellow sweet plantains
- cooking spray or oil
- 2-4 thick slices of Queso fresco or mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup salprieta if desired
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel the plantains: Slice off both ends of each plantain. Then, run a sharp knife lengthwise down the peel and carefully remove the peel.
- Bake the plantains: Place the peeled plantains on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup. Spray the tops with a little bit of cooking spray or brush with some oil. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the plantains are soft and golden brown.
- Add the filling: Remove the plantains from the oven. Carefully slice each one open lengthwise (without cutting all the way through). Add a slice of cheese inside each plantain. Then, spoon half of the salprieta, if using, into each one, placing it on one side of the cheese.
- Serve: Enjoy the stuffed plantains warm!
Notes
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel the plantains and place them in the basket.
- Air fry for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are golden brown and soft.
- Carefully slice and stuff with cheese slices (and salprieta if using).
- If using melty cheese, return to the air fryer for 1–2 more minutes to melt.
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