Plantain & Banana Chips
If you’re big on crunchy snacks, then plantain chips might be the holy grail. Although plantains could easily be mistaken for bananas, they’re are actually bigger, harder to peel, and can only be eaten cooked (so they don’t offer quite the same on-the-go convenience as bananas). Plantains are considered a fruit, but when it comes to cooking, you can pretty much prepare them as you would with most vegetables. Once cooked, their flesh is extra starchy and slightly sweet. As an ingredient, plantains are as versatile as a potato in many respects, especially when it comes to one of our favorite preparations: chips!
How to Peel Plantains
If you ever find yourself face to face with a plantain, here’s what you need to know about peeling them. Ripe plantains (the peel should be yellow and speckled) are easier to peel than green plantains, which aren’t fully ripe yet. And here’s a tip: Peel the plantain under cool running water, which helps prevent your hands from getting stained.
- Step 1: Slice off both ends of the plantain
- Step 2: Using a sharp knife, slit the skin of the plantain from end to end
- Step 3: Peel the skin sideways, in one piece
- Step 4: Place the peeled plantain in a bowl of salted water to keep it from discoloring
If any of this sounds too cumbersome, keep reading, because an even easier way to enjoy plantains is one click away.
Top Plantain Chips Brands
Upgrade your pantry snacks with plantain chips—these three brands make it easy.
Barnana
Barnana is known for its banana-based snacks, as well as its impact on lowering food waste on organic banana farms. Barnana upcycles the fruit that used to go to waste and turns these formerly imperfect bananas into organic snacks.
Bare Snacks
Talk about limited ingredients—most of the Bare Snacks lineup only has one, and it’s pictured on the front of the bag. From apple chips to banana chips, there’s no risk of additives, chemicals, or anything else you wouldn’t want to be munching on.
Inka Crops
Inka Crops brings the rich culinary traditions of Peru to your table. Founded in 1998, the brand specializes in gourmet snacks featuring indigenous ingredients like plantain chips and roasted corn.
Best Plantain Chips
If you’re stuck in a snack rut, plantain chips will help you get out of it.
Barnana Plantain Chips, Acapulco Lime
Only five ingredients were used to make this crispy snack. Coated with lime juice and dusted with a pinch of sea salt, the extra acid makes every bite even more enjoyable. Enjoy them alone or dip a few into guacamole.
Inka Crops Plantain Chips
Roasted in pure palm oil with just a hint of salt, this bag is filled with light and crispy plantain chips to enjoy whenever the mood strikes.
Bare Baked Cinnamon Banana Chips
For a bit of a dessert vibe, tear open this bag and savor the simplicity of baked banana chips paired with only one additional ingredient: ground cinnamon.
Flavored Plantain Chips
For an added burst of flavor, try one of these plantain chip combos that’ll perk up your taste buds.
Thrive Market Garlic and Herb Banana Munchies
You’ll go wild for this paleo-friendly snack that’s high on flavor without getting in the way of your diet. The banana chips are cooked in coconut oil, then seasoned with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs.
Barnana Plantain Chips, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
This bag of plantain chips has just the right amount of crunch. Each chip is sprinkled with pink Himalayan salt that’s been mined from ancient deposits that contain key trace minerals.
Thrive Market Non-GMO Plantain Chips, Chili Lime
To make this kicked up bag of gluten-free chips, we sourced our key ingredient from Colombia where the plantains are handpicked and kettle cooked in sustainable, South American palm oil.
The Best Snack Tips From Thrive Market
We don’t mean to brag, but Thrive Market knows a thing or two about snacking. Here are some of our best tips and favorite nibbles:
What to Pack for a Road Trip
When you’re hitting the road, don’t forget to pack snacks that’ll keep everyone’s bellies full for the drive. From paleo to gluten-free, we have the best snack ideas for every diet.
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64 Paleo Snacks
Whether you’re eating paleo (or supporting someone who is), be sure to stock up on these top paleo snacks to enjoy.