These homemade baked plantain chips are a super easy and healthy snack served with a delicious tropical inspired salsa for dipping.

The whole time I was making this I was quietly humming Margaritaville in my head.

It wasn’t until I was done dicing the last kiwi for the salsa that I stopped to think about why I was humming that song.

And then it came to me. When we were in the Dominican Republic in February, we met this awesome couple from Alabama (hi, guys!) who are huge Jimmy Buffet fans.

After far too many sickly sweet rum drinks from the bar, we literally closed the beach down while we played the only Buffet song I had on my iphone, Margaritaville.

That trip was also the last time I had plantain chips.

It’s crazy how music can be such a memory transporter, isn’t it?

Plantain chips and salsa.
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Rachel instagrammed a picture of an old No Doubt cd cover the other day which made me turn on the 90s pop station on Pandora.

Holy memory lane.

Baked plantain chips with a bowl of tropical salsa in the middle.

90s music defined my teenage years and pretty much every song that came on for the next 3 hours that I listened was instantly attributed to first, a boy.

Because there were 3 distinct boy phases of high school for me.

The freshman/sophomore one who will forever be attached to songs like Spiderwebs, Cupid and I’ll Be Missing You (the Puff Daddy version). I really don’t think he reads this blog, but if so things just got a little awkward now that he knows I still attach music to him 15 years later (hi, Pete).

The sophomore/junior/I went a bit crazy ones who are too many to name that have every rap song ever played at a keg party attributed to them.

And then there’s the boy that ended up being my husband. Blink 182, Lit and that really annoyingly stupid song by Len, Steal My Sunshine all belong to him.

But after the boy categorization there’s a million more memories.

Like Jumper playing as loud as possible as I drove probably triple the speed limit in my Nissan Altima on a windy single lane road on my way to work.

Save Tonight coming on in the limo ride to NYC to see Jingle Ball and being so paranoid as we all got into the limo at a friend’s house with an obscene amount of beer bottles in our backpacks that her mom would definitely hear them clanking together as we walked past her (she didn’t, but drinking 8 beers on a 1hr+ car ride resulted in trying to open the limo door on the highway while stuck in traffic and a very pissed off limo driver).

I can’t hear Someday by Sugar Ray without remembering that entire cd on repeat while I rode in a teammate’s minivan to a soccer tournament in Pennsylvania. I never liked Sugar Ray, so that was a particularly torturous trip.

And then there was the idiotic drunk moment of screaming every.single.word to Juicy on the deck at a party because some girl I hated told me I couldn’t.

I did (and still can…freakin’ love that song) and remember being really pissed off at her. Now it just seems like the most ridiculous thing to “fight” over. Ha.

How cool would it be if we could just figure out a way to get back in whatever moment comes to mind when that song comes on? If we can figure that out in my lifetime, I’ll be a happy girl.

Why We Love Plantain Chips

  • Easy and Healthy – they are also Whole30 and Paleo-friendly. However, because of their sugar content, plantain chips are not considered low carb.
  • Minimal Ingredients – you really only need salt, oil, and sliced plantains; we just really like serving them with salsa!
  • Ready in less than 30 minutes – they make a quick side dish or appetizer with minimal prep work and cleanup. Want to fry them instead? Try my Simple Fried Plantains, which are equally delicious.

Are Plantains Bananas?

They are in the same family as bananas but are usually cooked as a savory dish and they have a lower sugar content when compared to bananas.

What You Need for Homemade Baked Plantain Chips

  • green plantain – you are going to slice these thinly and diagonally
  • coconut oil – be sure to melt it
  • salt

For the Plantain Salsa

  • green pepper
  • red pepper
  • chili peppers
  • kiwi
  • orange
  • cilantro
  • mint
  • lime juice – for the full experience, use fresh lime juice instead of store bought

If you’re into “alternative” salsas like this, don’t miss this pomegranate salsa, mango habanero salsa or, this pineapple habanero salsa recipe either. Both would be great with these baked plantain chips also!

How to Make DIY Healthy Plantain Chips

While the oven preheats to 350 degrees, go ahead and melt the coconut oil.

Then toss the sliced plantains in the oil until they are fully covered.

Lay them flat on a baking sheet. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Bake the plantains for 15 minutes, then flip them. Continue cooking for another 5 to 7 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown.

While the plantain chips are baking, go ahead and combine all of the salsa ingredients.

And by the way, the tropical salsa served with the plantain chips is also great on so many other things as well! I love it for topping blackened cod or any other simply cooked seafood.

Stacked healthy baked plantain chips on a wooden surface with salsa.

How to Store Leftover Plantain Chips

While they are best immediately after baking, you can store the leftovers in an air-tight container separating the layers with paper towels.

Before eating again, reheat them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to allow time for them to crisp up again.

Tips for Making Crispy Plantain Chips

  • Allow the chips to cool completely before serving, they will get crispier as they cool.
  • If they are a little oily when they come out of the oven, blot the excess oil with paper towels.
  • Try to slice the plantains evenly so they cook the same. Once you have them peeled, it’s easy to get the same size by using a mandolin.

If you want to experiment with more vegetable chips recipes, you don’t want to miss my Crispy Baked Butternut Squash Chips, Carrot Chips, and Air Fryer Eggplant.

If you want to see the full list just search for “chips” on the blog!

More Easy Healthy Side Dish Recipes to Try:

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5 from 6 votes

Plantain Chips and Salsa

Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Baked plantains turned into chips with a tropical inspired salsa.

Ingredients 

  • 1 green plantain, sliced thin on the diagonal
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • kosher salt
  • 1/2 green pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red pepper, diced
  • 2 small chili peppers, diced
  • 1 kiwi, diced
  • 1/2 orange, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon mint, minced
  • juice of 1/2 a lime

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Toss plantain slices with melted coconut oil and lay flat on a baking sheet.
  • Season with a generous amount of kosher salt.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, flip and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Plantains should be golden brown.
  • Let cool on baking sheet to crisp up.
  • Meanwhile, combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl and toss together for the salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 1SERVINGCalories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 122mgFiber: 3gSugar: 22g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
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Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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