Homemade Jamaican Fried Banana Chips Recipe

Bananas. Coconut oil. Unprocessed Sea Salt. That’s how you make healthy Jamaican fried banana chips! Simple and easy, right? And these banana chips fried in coconut oil are divine!

What equipment do I need for fried banana chips?

For fried green banana chips, you will need the following kitchen tools:

• A skillet, frying pan, or deep fryer
• A small hand knife
• A slicer/mandoline
• Slotted spoon or steel mesh skimmer/strainer
• Paper towel or kitchen towel you don’t mind getting oily

I’ve used this slicer for several years and never had to replace or sharpen the blade. I use it for many of my fermenting projects and to make chips out of a variety of vegetables! A mandoline slicer is preferable for homemade banana chips so they are neat and evenly sliced. You can use your knife if that’s all you have on hand, but consider getting the mandoline so you can make perfect chips quickly and easily!

Which kind of bananas are used to make chips?

You need green bananas to make good banana chips. Because of the higher starch content, they hold up well to frying and make crunchy, delicious chips! Green bananas are the regular bananas you’d buy to eat before they start turning yellow.

Are plantain chips the same as banana chips?

Banana chips and plantain chips are completely different. They are made in a similar way, but have a different taste profile. In addition, people rarely make chips from partially ripe bananas, but it is common to make ripe plantain chips from partially ripe plantains.

Benefits Of Eating Green Bananas

Green bananas are a staple in Jamaica. We eat them in many ways, not just as chips. And it’s not just because they grow in abundance there…green bananas have multiple health benefits!

The fiber in green bananas helps reduce the risk of heart disease and colon cancer. They soothe the stomach lining and help to expel bacteria that may cause ulcers. They contain the prebiotic fructooligosaccharide, which helps to feed beneficial flora so they can proliferate, nourish and protect us.

Green bananas contain indigestible (to humans) short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are a favorite food of the cells that make up the lining of the intestines. When these cells are well-nourished and healthy, the body’s ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium can increase dramatically. – WHFoods

They are not the same baked or dehydrated, by the way. And dried green banana chips just cannot compare. And you want green bananas–not kinda green, slightly green or even mostly green. GREEN.

Are banana chips fried in coconut oil healthy?

I could eat these all day. I used to eat the store-bought versions all the time… I grew up in Jamaica and they are one of the most popular, if not the most popular, snacks there. The Chippies brand was my favorite, very few ingredients and salted just right. This is similar to Chippies… these salted banana chips are a delicacy!

We used to bring back huge bulk packs of banana chips whenever we visit Jamaica, but now that we so easily make our own healthier version there is absolutely no need to!

Homemade banana chips are easy and inexpensive to make. And homemade banana chips fried in coconut oil are healthier and taste better, too!

I can hardly believe I was so hesitant to give the processed version up! It’s great enjoying a favorite snack and not having to worry about rancid, GMO oils and processed, possibly iodized, and sugared salt! There’s also unlisted ingredients in some packaged versions and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are hiding MSG in there.

How To Peel Green Bananas

It is helpful to cut off each end of the banana, then score the skin length-wise. Basically you want to cut through all the skin on at least one side while trying not to damage the white flesh of the banana itself. It should be easy to peel off the skin afterwards.

You can oil your hands before you begin to prevent too much sap from the bananas sticking to them. It can stain, so try to avoid getting it on your clothes!

If you are making a big batch, you may also want to use a pot or mixing bowl with water and lemon juice to store the peeled green bananas in. Green bananas discolor pretty quickly and this will prevent that from happening before you get to cook them. The discoloration is not a big deal. If you choose to use the water bath, dry the bananas before slicing into chips and frying.

Here’s a quick but useful video that shows you how to peel green bananas easily:

These salted banana chips are a great snack for the entire family! It is low calorie and has a unique flavor that even children enjoy! These are crispy banana chips, so it’s the perfect snack to munch on!

You should also give this mashed green banana recipe a try… click here for the recipe–they make a great replacement for potatoes.

So there you have it, this popular Jamaican snack is healthy, quick and easy to make. Go ahead and try them, and then come back and let me know if you enjoyed this recipe for homemade fried banana chips!