Kelewele (Spicy Ghanaian Fried Plantain)
Cubed ripe plantain tossed in ginger, garlic, and chili, deep-fried until candied edges form. Ghana's favorite late-night street snack.
- Total time:
- 27 min
- Servings:
- 4
- Per serving:
- 310 kcal
- Cost per serving:
- $1.20
- Difficulty:
- easy
Step-by-step
Mix ginger, garlic, cayenne, nutmeg, aniseed, salt, and 2 tbsp water in a bowl.
Toss plantain cubes in the spice paste. Marinate 10 minutes.
Heat oil to 350°F.
Fry plantain in batches 3–4 minutes per batch until deep golden with crispy edges.
4 min timer
Drain on paper towels. Serve with roasted peanuts.
Cook's tip
Plantains should be BLACK-spotted. almost mushy ripe. Anything less stays starchy.
Storage
Best eaten immediately. Reheat in 400°F oven 5 minutes.
Freezer: Do not freeze.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 310
- Protein
- 5g
- Carbs
- 47g
- Fat
- 14g
- Fiber
- 4g
- Sugar
- 22g
- Sat Fat
- 2g
- Sodium
- 540mg
Estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. See our nutrition disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
What does aniseed do?
Adds a subtle licorice-anise note typical of authentic kelewele. Optional but recommended.
Can I bake this?
425°F for 22 minutes, flipping halfway. Crispness suffers but works.
Reviews
Marcus B.
1 week ago
First time cooking this and the timing notes saved me. Did not lift the lid once. The crust at the bottom was the best part.
✓ Would make again
Aisha K.
2 weeks ago
Loved it but added an extra scotch bonnet — we like it spicy. Recipe scales well, made a double batch.
✓ Would make again
Tola O.
3 days ago
Made this for Sunday lunch — the smoky bottom turned out perfect. Family demolished the pot in twenty minutes.
✓ Would make again
Reviews shown are illustrative pre-launch. Real user reviews appear here as the community grows.
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