These Buñuelos de Plátano Maduro (ripe plantain balls) are absolutely delicious and they can be served as an appetizer, side dish, snack or even as a dessert.
What are Buñuelos de Plátano Maduro?
They are balls made with ripe plantain and stuffed with cheese and guava paste. Then fried until golden and crispy. If you prefer not to have them sweet just omit the guava paste.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve them as an appetizer for game night or after school snack. They are best eaten hot and fresh, so I fry them and take the plate straight to the table while the cheese is still hot.
Ingredients You'll Need
The printable recipe card with exact amounts and cooking directions to make these Buñuelos de Plátano Maduro is below.
- plantains: You need very ripe plantains to make this recipe.
- cheese: I like to use mozzarella cheese, but any melting cheese will work.
- guava paste: It's a sweet paste made with guavas and also known as bocadillo.
- oil: You can use your favorite oil for frying.
- Sugar for garnish (optional)
How to Make Buñuelos de Plátano
- Cut the plantains in half, but don’t peel.
- Place the plantains in a medium pot and cover with water. Cook over medium heat for about 8 - 10 minutes.
- Remove the plantains from the water and peel. Mash with a potato masher or a fork.
- Form 15 balls of about 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of plantain mash. Flatten them with your hands and place 1 piece of guava paste and 1 piece of cheese in the center.
- Form the ball again and place in a heavy pot with hot oil, over medium high heat. Fry for about 4 minutes turning over once, until golden brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the oil. Serve hot and sprinkle with sugar if you like.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: These are meant to be eaten when they’re done cooking. However, you can keep them warm on a rack over a baking sheet in the oven at low temperature (170°) for up to 15 minutes. In addition, you can make them and store them covered in the refrigerator 1 day before frying and serving.
How to Store: In a container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat: Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover with foil. Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes. Serve warm.
More Ripe Plantain Recipes
Envueltos de Plátano Maduro (Ripe Plantains Wraps)
Arroz de Pajarito (Rice with Ripe Plantain)
Aborrajados de Plátano (Ripe Plantain Fritters)
Tajadas de Plátano (Fried Ripe Plantain)
Ripe Plantain Balls Recipe (Buñuelos de Plátano Maduro)
Ingredients
- 2 large very ripe plantains
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese diced
- ⅓ cup guava paste diced
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Sugar for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the plantains in half, but don’t peel.
- Place the plantains in a medium pot and cover with water. Cook over medium heat for about 8 - 10 minutes.
- Remove the plantains from the water and peel. Mash with a potato masher or a fork.
- Form 15 balls of about 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of plantain mash. Flatten them with your hands and place 1 piece of guava paste and 1 piece of cheese in the center.
- Form the ball again and place in a heavy pot with hot oil, over medium high heat. Fry for about 4 minutes turning over once, until golden brown.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the oil. Serve hot and sprinkle with sugar if you like.
Claire
Quick question, for health reasons can we try and bake them? Do you think this affect the end result? Thanks
Erica Dinho
You can try it. They texture and taste will be different.
grace
having never tried plantains or guava paste, i can't speak to how awesome these would be, but they look incredible!
Anonymous
Can I freeze this banana balls?
Erica Dinho
You can try it. I always eat them the same day!
ROMEL
ITS DELICIOUS HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMFFF............................
Catherine
I had the most heavenly experience eating these balones de plantanos near Milpe, Ecuador last summer (with the most excellent robust cup of coffee I have ever had...no joke). The balones were filled with savory treats...chicken, onion, green pepper, and maybe a tiny bit of chicken sauce of some kind. I was told to use half cooked mashed plantain mixed with half grated raw plantain. I have not tried to make these yet, but I also like the idea of guava:-)
zerrin
I saw this link on Oyster's banana post. And love these balls! They look like a perfect dessert for me. I wonder how they become when they are cold?
Baking is my Zen
This looks sooooo good!!!
martha myers
Gracias por el esfuerzo y el orgullo con el que presentan la belleza y riqueza de nuestra gastronomia.......que maravilla el volver a reencontrarme con recetas y bocados de mi infancia........
Cynthia
I am definitely going to try this.
Allison Lemons
I'm not even exaggerating...
My husband just looked at this post and said, "Buñuelos! Will you make these for me - please??"
Joan Nova
And I imagine you could put a savory filling like picadillo or some shredded pork and have an equally delicious treat!
Diane
OMG! great idea! or stuffed with ropa vieja (bigger balls of course!!) I wonder if you could make a little bowl, fry it and fill it?? hummmmm....
Erica
It sounds delicious!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
My husband was just asking for something with plantains. I am totally going to be making these - these plantain balls look amazing! I don't think I'm going to be able to find guava paste - what would you recommend as a substitute here?
Erica
Natasha,
you can find guava paste in Amigosfood.com or Hatogrande.com
Eric
That would be part of my last meal for sure.
Eric
OysterCulture
These balls look fantastic and the perfect snack - would they keep if I were to make them for a picnic?
Erica
Oysterculture,
I prefer them hot, but I am sure they are good either way.....just wrap them with foil.
Erica
Pocky,
You can find guava paste in amigosfood.com
Thank you for your comment!
Pocky
Oh my goodness!!! Those look awesome!!! I love fried sweet plantains and I love guava. I want to try out this recipe so badly but I don't know if I can get a hold of guava paste around where I live. I'll have to check out some online stores.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting on my blog. You have a great site here yourself. Keep up the good work. 🙂
Anonymous
You can get guava paste at any latin market. Just ask anyone working there for guava paste. Or if not a latin market, ask for the latin section.
rebecca subbiah
wow i bet those taste amazing Rebecca