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7 Smart Ways to Use Dried Plantains in Everyday Cooking (Beyond Amala)

For many homes, dried plantain and plantain flour live in the cupboard for one main job: swallow.

However, dried plantains can do far more than that.

In this guide, you will see seven smart, everyday ways to use dried plantains and plantain flour – from light snacks to breakfasts and quick comfort meals. You do not need to be a chef; you just need simple steps and a little curiosity.

Along the way, you will see ideas that pair beautifully with:

If you are still wondering about how plantain flour feels in the body, you can also read our earlier guide:
Plantain Flour Benefits: Better Digestion, Stable Energy & Daily Uses

Dried plantain vs plantain flour: quick kitchen reminder

Before we jump into recipes, it helps to remember the difference in everyday cooking:

  • Dried plantain slices
    Usually come as thin or chunky pieces.
    Great for chips, stews, and porridge-style dishes.
    You see the pieces as you cook and eat.
  • Plantain flour
    Made by milling dried unripe plantain into a fine powder.
    Perfect for swallow (amala ogede), thickening stews, porridges and simple home baking.
    Easy to blend with other flours.

Because plantains are naturally starchy and contain some fibre and resistant starch, they tend to feel more filling than very sugary snacks, especially when you prepare them with simple ingredients and minimal frying.

Now, let’s turn that packet of dried plantain into everyday meals.

1. Crispy baked or air-fried dried plantain chips

Many people only think of fresh plantain when they picture chips. Even so, dried plantain slices make excellent chips with very little oil.

How to make lighter dried plantain chips

  1. Preheat your oven or air fryer.
  2. Lightly coat dried plantain slices with:
    • 1–2 teaspoons of neutral oil, or brush oil lightly.
    • A pinch of salt.
    • Optional: mild chilli, smoked paprika, garlic powder or a spice mix you already enjoy.
  3. Spread in a single layer on a tray or in the air-fryer basket.
  4. Bake or air fry until crisp and golden, turning once.

Because the plantain is already dried, it crisps up faster than fresh slices. As a result, you can often use less oil than a deep-fried batch.

Tip: Store cooled chips in an airtight jar. This turns dried plantains into a grab-and-go snack for work bags, school bags or travel.

2. Breakfast porridge with plantain flour and pap powder

On cool mornings, a warm bowl of porridge is comforting. Instead of only using pap or oats, you can build a simple plantain-based breakfast bowl.

Gentle breakfast bowl idea

You will need:

Method

  1. In a bowl, mix plantain flour and pap powder with a little cool water to form a smooth paste.
  2. Bring water to a gentle boil in a pot.
  3. Gradually pour the paste into the hot water, stirring all the time.
  4. Cook for a few minutes until smooth and thickened.
  5. Adjust thickness with more water or milk.
  6. Serve warm with toppings of your choice.

Because this porridge combines slow-digesting starches and a bit of fibre, many people find it more satisfying than a sugary drink alone.

3. Half-and-half swallow: plantain flour + corn flour

You may already love amala ogede on its own. Even so, some days you might want to change the texture or flavour slightly without leaving plantain behind.

That is where a half-and-half swallow comes in.

Simple half-and-half swallow

Combine:

Method

  1. Bring water to a boil in a pot.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix plantain flour and corn flour together in the ratio you prefer. For example:
    • 50:50 for a more balanced taste, or
    • 70:30 for a plantain-forward swallow.
  3. Reduce the heat and start to sprinkle the flour mix into the pot while stirring.
  4. Continue to stir until smooth and stretchy, adjusting with a little water if it gets too thick.
  5. Serve with your favourite soup.

This gives you a slightly different swallow experience while still making your plantain flour the star of the plate.

4. Stew and sauce thickener with a mild flavour

Sometimes stews and sauces come out a bit too light or watery, especially when you are cooking in a hurry.

Instead of overusing standard thickeners, you can use a little plantain flour to gently thicken and add body.

How to use plantain flour as a thickener

  1. Scoop 1–2 teaspoons of Smooth Plantain Flour (Elubo Ogede) into a small bowl.
  2. Add cool water and whisk into a smooth, thin paste (no lumps).
  3. Reduce your stew or sauce to a gentle simmer.
  4. Gradually pour in the paste while stirring.
  5. Cook for a few more minutes to let it thicken and lose any raw taste.

Because plantain flour has a mild flavour, it usually does not overpower your main spices. Instead, it quietly supports gravies, pepper sauces, and even some vegetable soups.

5. Plantain flour pancakes and waffles

If you have ever wanted to upgrade weekend breakfast, this is a fun place to start. Plantain flour can join your usual batter to create pancakes or waffles with a gentle plantain note.

Basic plantain flour pancake blend

Use:

Method

  1. Whisk dry ingredients together first.
  2. Add eggs and milk gradually until you get a smooth batter.
  3. Let the batter rest for a few minutes.
  4. Cook in a lightly oiled pan or waffle maker.

These pancakes work well as school lunchbox ideas or evening treats when you want something homemade but not complicated.

6. Simple plantain and groundnut snack bites

When afternoons get busy, it helps to have something small, filling and not overly sugary within reach.

You can turn plantain flour and groundnut flour into no-bake snack bites that stay in the fridge.

No-bake plantain–groundnut bites

You will need:

Method

  1. In a bowl, mix plantain flour and groundnut flour.
  2. Add honey or date syrup slowly and stir until the mixture starts to hold together.
  3. If it feels too dry, add a teaspoon of water or milk at a time.
  4. Roll into small balls and place on a lined plate.
  5. Chill in the fridge until firm, then store in an airtight container.

These bites are great for snack boxes, work desks, or after-school hunger, especially on days when you do not want to rely on packaged sweets.

7. Soft porridge for gentle evenings

In many homes, there are evenings when everyone wants something warm, simple and not heavy before bed.

Instead of always reaching for only pap, you can gently blend plantain flour into your evening routine.

Note: Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice when feeding babies or people with special dietary needs. This section is for general, everyday family cooking and is not medical guidance.

Evening comfort porridge

Combine:

Prepare it in exactly the same way as the breakfast bowl above, but keep the portion light. Because this porridge is warm and smooth, many people find it comforting for late evenings when heavy food is not appealing.

How to store dried plantains and plantain flour properly

To really enjoy all these ideas, it helps to protect the quality of your ingredients.

Here are simple storage tips:

  • Keep away from heat and steam
    Store dried plantains and plantain flour in a cool, dry cupboard – not directly above the cooker.
  • Use airtight containers
    After opening the pouch, pour what you will use regularly into a clean, dry, airtight jar or container. Reseal the original pouch tightly.
  • Avoid wet spoons
    Always scoop with a dry spoon to reduce clumping and to help prevent spoilage.
  • Rotate older stock first
    If you buy in bulk, place older packs in front so they are used first.

If your kitchen gets very hot and humid, you can keep a portion of flour in the freezer in a well-sealed container. Let it come back to room temperature before using so it does not clump.

Putting it all together: a simple “dried plantain week”

To make this practical, here is how a regular week might look if you want to use dried plantains and plantain flour more consistently:

  • Monday: Half-and-half swallow (plantain + corn flour) with a favourite soup.
  • Wednesday: Baked dried plantain chips as a light snack.
  • Friday: Plantain flour pancakes for breakfast or dinner.
  • Saturday: Plantain–groundnut snack bites prepared for the coming week.
  • Sunday evening: Gentle plantain–pap porridge as a light end to the weekend.

Small, repeated uses like this help you treat dried plantain as a real pantry staple, not just an “amala ingredient”.

Ready to stock your kitchen with plantain–friendly options?

If you would like to try these ideas, you can start with:

You can browse more flour options here:
Explore our Flours eShop.

Talk to us for help choosing the right flours 😊

If you are unsure where to start, you do not have to guess alone.

We are happy to help you choose the right sizes for your home, whether you cook for one person, a couple, or a busy family.

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