0 from 18 votes
Cheese and Ripe Plantain Balls [Recipe + Video] Bolitas de Plátano Maduro
Learn how to make the best bolitas de plátano maduro, tasty ripe plantain balls, covered in crispy cheese and oozing with a melted cheese center. As a bonus point, they are made in the oven or air fryer.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings (18 balls ttl)
Calories: 292 kcal
Course:
Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine:
Caribbean , Dominican
Ingredients
- 3 plantain (ripe, yellow) (see notes)
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil for greasing hands
- 1 cup hard mozzarella diced [0.34 kg]
- ½ cup ground Parmesan or Pecorino
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (salted) at room temperature, to grease tray
Instructions
1. Cooking plantains
- Cook in the microwave unpeeled for 4 minutes. Remove the peel (careful not to burn yourself). Remove the center of the plantain (looks like a nerve) and mash until there are no lumps. Cool to room temperature.
Cup of Yum
2. Making balls
- Grease your hands with the oil. Make small balls (about a tablespoon of plantain puree). Poke a hollow in the ball and put a piece of mozzarella in it. Form a ball around it. Repeat until you finish with all the mashed plantains. Resist eating them now.
3. Covering with Parmesan
- Cover with Parmesan or Pecorino, making as thick a layer as you can. Place the balls on a greased tray and freeze hard (about 4 hours).
4. Baking
- Bake in preheated oven to 400 ºF [200 ºC] for 15 mins, or until they are golden brown outside and remove from the oven.
5. Serving
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use plantains that are ripe but firm.
- How many balls you get depend on the size of the plantains you use.
- Make sure to use hard (dry) mozzarella, the fresh type in brine will break the balls in the baking.
- You can prepare them beforehand and keep frozen, bake them just before serving
- I didn't find it necessary to add salt, as the parmesan is already salty.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2balls
Calories
292kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
29g
(10%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Cholesterol
49mg
(16%)
Sodium
726mg
(30%)
Potassium
471mg
(13%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
14g
(28%)
Vitamin A
1520IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
16.5mg
(18%)
Calcium
192mg
(19%)
Iron
0.7mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings (18 balls ttl)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2balls | |
| Calories | 292kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 49mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 726mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 471mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 1520IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 16.5mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 192mg | 19% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.