Pan-Fried Plantains with Queso Blanco and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

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.

Sweet ripe plantains pan-fried to golden perfection, served topped with crumbled queso blanco and fresh cilantro for a simple yet flavorful Venezuelan side dish. This Latin American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, queso blanco, crumbled, fresh cilantro leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 medium ripe plantains (yellow with black spots)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup queso blanco, crumbled
2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Peel 2 medium ripe plantains and slice them diagonally into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
Step 3: Add the plantain slices in a single layer and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized around the edges.
Step 4: Transfer the cooked plantains to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt while still warm.
Step 5: Plate the plantains and top evenly with 1/2 cup crumbled queso blanco and 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves for a fresh, creamy contrast.