Honduran Tajadas (Fried Plantains)
Tajadas are the fried plantain slices that appear on Honduran plates almost everywhere — as a side, a snack and a beloved street food. The word simply means "slices," and depending on the plantain, tajadas can be crispy and savory or soft and sweet.
Made from green plantains, tajadas are sliced thin lengthwise or on the diagonal and fried until golden and crunchy, much like chips. Made from ripe plantains (platanos maduros), they turn tender, caramelized and sweet. Both versions are staples alongside chicken, beans and baleadas.
The most famous way to eat them is tajadas con pollo — a mound of crispy green tajadas topped with fried or grilled chicken, shredded cabbage salad, a special pink sauce and a sprinkle of dry cheese. Sold from street carts and "pollo chuco" stands, it is one of Honduras' most popular quick meals.
Tajadas are close cousins of tostones and maduros found across Latin America, but in Honduras they are practically a national side dish, turning up next to fried fish, grilled meats and eggs at breakfast.
Honduran Tajadas Recipe
Prep: 10 min · Cook: 10 min · Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 green plantains (or ripe plantains for sweet tajadas)
- Oil, for frying
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Peel the plantains and slice them thinly, lengthwise or on a diagonal.
- Heat about 1 inch of oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry the slices in batches until golden and crisp for green plantains, or golden and tender for ripe ones, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle green tajadas with salt.
- Serve hot as a side, or top with chicken, cabbage and sauce for tajadas con pollo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are tajadas?
Tajadas are Honduran fried plantain slices. Green plantains make crispy, savory chips, while ripe plantains make soft, sweet slices. They are a staple side and street food.
What is the difference between tajadas and tostones?
Tajadas are thin slices fried once until crisp or tender. Tostones are thicker pieces that are fried, smashed flat, and fried again for a crunchier result.
What is tajadas con pollo?
It is a popular Honduran street food of crispy green tajadas topped with fried chicken, cabbage salad, a special sauce and dry cheese, also known as pollo chuco.
Do you use green or ripe plantains?
Both. Green plantains give crunchy, savory tajadas; ripe (yellow-black) plantains give sweet, tender ones. Choose based on the meal you are serving.