Sweet Honey-Glazed Plantain Empanadas
Golden fried empanadas filled with mashed ripe plantains and a touch of honey, creating a sweet and savory Latin American treat perfect for snacks or dessert. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 55 minutes turns large, peeled and sliced ripe plantains, honey, cinnamon powder 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 220 calories and feeds 8, 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.
Ingredients
- 3 large, peeled and sliced ripe plantains
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp, chilled and cubed unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup cold water
- for frying vegetable oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil 3 large peeled and sliced ripe plantains in water for 10 minutes until soft. Drain and mash with 3 tbsp honey and 1 tsp cinnamon powder until smooth.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp salt. Cut in 6 tbsp chilled unsalted butter with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 3: Gradually add 1/3 cup cold water, mixing until a soft dough forms. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Roll dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 4-inch circles. Place 1 tbsp plantain filling in center of each circle.
- Step 5: Fold dough over filling to create half-moons and press edges with a fork to seal.
- Step 6: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry empanadas in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Honey-Glazed Plantain Empanadas take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 min prep + 15 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 Sweet Honey-Glazed Plantain Empanadas?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Honey-Glazed Plantain Empanadas?
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 Sweet Honey-Glazed Plantain Empanadas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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.
What goes well with Sweet Honey-Glazed Plantain Empanadas?
Latin American snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
