Vegetarian Alcapurrias with Green Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

Crispy, golden fritters filled with spiced mashed plantains and vegetables, a beloved Puerto Rican street food snack. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian ready in about 30 minutes pairs cooked and mashed taro root, finely chopped green bell pepper, finely chopped red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 100 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Ingredients

• 2 medium, peeled and cooked green plantains
• 1/2 cup, cooked and mashed taro root
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup mashed green plantains, 1/2 cup mashed taro root, 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Step 2: Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to the mixture and stir until the dough holds together when pressed between your fingers.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture (about 2 tbsp each) into the oil, flattening slightly with the back of the spoon.
4. Step 4: Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, turning once. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.