Mofongo Vegan

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy, mashed plantain fritters with a garlic and citrus twist, a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine made plant-based. This puerto rican-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

★ 3.8 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a pot of salted boiling water, cook plantain slices for 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil and mash until smooth, leaving some texture.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic. Stir in lemon juice, lime zest, chili powder, and salt. Mix into the mashed plantains until evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: Shape into 8-10 oval balls. In a hot skillet, cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mofongo Vegan take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mofongo Vegan?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mofongo Vegan?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mofongo Vegan for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Mofongo Vegan vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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