Fried Plantain Kelewele with Spicy Ginger and Garlic Marinade

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Chunks of ripe plantains tossed in a fragrant blend of ginger, garlic, and spices, then fried to golden perfection for a sweet and spicy Ghanaian snack. This African-inspired recipe (vegan), ready in about 35 minutes, turns ripe plantains, fresh ginger, garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

3 medium ripe plantains
1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
3, minced garlic cloves
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups, for frying vegetable oil
1 small, finely chopped onion

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Peel 3 medium ripe plantains and cut into 1-inch cubes; place in a large bowl.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; mix well into a spicy marinade.
Step 3: Add the marinade and 1 small finely chopped onion to the plantain cubes; toss thoroughly to coat evenly and let marinate for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 350°F.
Step 5: Fry the marinated plantain cubes in batches for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp at the edges.
Step 6: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; serve warm as a spicy snack or side dish.