How long do plantain chips last? Plantain Chips which are also known as chicharrones, dodo, or Alloco are crunchy Nigerian snacks made from thinly sliced unripe or partially ripped plantains.
This tasty and absolutely delicious snack is made with only 4 ingredients: plantains, salt, olive oil, and black pepper.
So, how long do Homemade Plantain Chips last?
You can make homemade plantain chips for like 2 to 3 days ahead of time.
To keep them crispy till when you’re ready to make use of them,
let them cool down the store them between layers of paper towels in an airtight container.
If the chips aren’t completely cooled down before storing,
They will produce Moisture in the container which can cause them to become soft and grow molds.
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Do Plantain Chips Expire?
The maximum shelf life of homemade plantain chips without preservatives or additives is four (4) months if properly stored.
Store-bought plantain chips can last up to a year if the package is still sealed.
After this time zone, the chip will begin to deteriorate in quality.
Also, exposure to air and humidity will reduce the shelf life of the chips, causing them to expire more quickly than expected.
Can You Eat Expired Plantain Chips?
Eating expired plantain chips is undoubtedly not advisable,
This is because apart from the fact that they won’t taste good, they may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.
How Do You Preserve Plantain Chips?
To ensure that the ultimate crispness of your plantain chips is maintained.
1. Allow to cool down:
Before storing your plantain chips in an airtight container or ziplock bag,
You need to make sure the chips are completely cooled.
This will ensure that moisture which can lead to mold growth isn’t produced during the period of storage.
2. Place between layers of paper towels:
This will help ensure that the chips don’t stick together and do not produce Moisture during storage
3. Store the chips in an airtight container;
This will prevent air and moisture from getting into the chips
Note: if the chips happen to soften over time, you can return their crispiness by putting them in the oven for a few minutes at 300 degrees
How Long To Fry Plantain Chips?
Making Plantain chips is easy, fun, and fast.
Put at least 12 to 15 pieces of the sliced plantain in a large deep skillet heat or a deep fryer and fry them for 15 minutes or until crisp and golden.
Turn them every 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden to ensure they don’t get burnt.
Transfer the fried chips with a slotted spoon or skimmer to paper towels to drain.
It takes roughly 15 minutes to prepare your plantain chip from start to finish.
Can I Add Sugar To My Plantain Chips?
Except you want your plantain chip to taste very sweet, they are no need to add sugar to the recipe
This is because ripe or partially ripe plantain has a naturally sweet taste both in the raw state or when fried or cooked.
Even though you want your chips sweeter, it is recommended you use honey instead as sugar is not good for adults.
5 Best Substitutes For Plantain Chips
1. BRUSSELS SPROUTS CHIPS:
this is an awesome alternative to the plantain chip because they are rich in antioxidants and still offer plenty of crunches.
Preparation method:
First, you need to wash and dry one pound of Brussels sprouts then preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Trim and peel the leaves from the core and discard the wilted outer layers.
Using a large bowl, toss and coat the leaves with 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and some salt.
Spread on a baking sheet ensuring that none of the Brussels sprouts leave stacked on top of each other.
Bake until brown and crispy or for 5 to 10 minutes, then flavor to your delight
2. SWEET POTATO CHIPS:
sweet potato chips are a great option for a die-hard potato chip fan.
This version of using sweet potatoes is definitely enjoyable and addictive.
Preparation method:
wash and peel your sweet potatoes, then preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Slice the potatoes into thin pieces and line them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Spray everything with a little cooking spray and then sprinkle pepper, salt, and cinnamon.
Now bake until the edges become crisp or for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Making sure none of the slices are overlapping each other, flip and bake for an additional 3 minutes.
3. ZUCCHINI CHIPS:
These chips are worth giving a trial.
Zucchini chips are easy and fast to make just like plantain chips.
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4. KALE CHIPS:
Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth that offers plenty of nutrients such as vitamins, magnesium, and potassium, as well as calcium,
5. BEET CHIPS:
This alternative only contains dietary nitrates which have been proven to enhance athletic performance.
They also improve digestive health and fight inflammation. Making beets into delicious chips is easy and quick.
6. YAM CHIPS:
These which can also be referred to as fried yam are slices of yam deep-fried.
It is mostly sold by food vendors across the streets and in the popular canteen and they could be the main meal or a snack.
What Do Plantain Chips Taste Like?
The taste of plantain chips depends on how it is made.
These savory snacks made from deep-fried green plantains, are crunchy and crispy and can be spicy, sweet, or salty.
What Do Plantain Chips Smell Like?
Plantain is known as the bigger cousin to bananas. So, they have a faintly floral and faintly banana scent
Is Plantain Chips Junk Food?
Even though plantains are a source of some vitamins and minerals, once they are prepared into products like plantain chip,
They are technically considered junk or processed food and should be consumed in moderation.
How To Tell If Plantain Chips Are Bad
Plantains that are bad will typically lose their crunchiness, they will become soft, taste, and smell stale.
Along with these, it will develop dark spots and sometimes mold if exposed to Moisture.
Discard any plantains chip if it has any of the aforementioned.
How Do You Keep Plantain Chips From Getting Soft?
To prevent your plantain chips from getting soft:
1. Use unripe or partially ripped plantains.
Using ripped plantains will cause it to come out soft and it won’t be crunchy.
2. Seasoning of the plantain chips should be done right after they come out of the oil.
When this is done the plantains end up crisper.
It has been observed that salting the plantains before frying makes the chips unpleasantly chewy.
3. Allow the chips to cool down before storing them in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
This will prevent them from producing Moisture during storage.
4. Always store in an airtight container in a cool and dry location.
This will prevent air and moisture from getting into the chips and make them soft.
Are Plantain Chips Fried Or Dehydrated?
A Plantain chip can either be fried or dehydrated depending on your choice.
You can make crispy, salty, and delicious plantain chips by thinly slicing unripe or partially ripped plantains and frying them lightly in oil.
A dehydrated Plantain Chip is the best. This is because they are easy to make and healthier than fried ones.
Is Plantain Chips A Healthy Snack?
Yes, plantain chips especially oven-baked ones are healthy snacks that are rich in various vitamins and minerals
Also, not high in fat and calories like deep-fried plantain chips.
You can make them healthier by making them out at home and using a high-quality, healthy oil like coconut oil or olive.
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Conclusion
Plantain chips are a tasty and easy snack to make. Homemade plantain chips are healthier than store-bought ones.
Crispy plantain chip lasts longer than soft or moist chips. This is because soft ones can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
To make your chip crunchier, you can dry them first in the sun after slicing them before frying.
Always store your chips in an airtight container, this will enable them to last longer.