How to make Pisang goreng for a unique snack

If you haven’t tried or even heard of Indonesian Pisang Goreng then carry on reading. This recipe of deep-fried plantains with a crispy batter is so delicious. Easy to make and sweet tasting, you are going to make these over and over again for sure!

What are plantains?

Plantains are a starchy and exotic fruit related to the banana. They look similar in visual appearance and flavour but are much larger than a banana and are often cooked in Indonesian and Asian cuisines.

Pisang goreng is basically plantains coated with batter and deep-fried in hot oil. Once deep-fried, the batter turns crispy and golden brown, while the plantain retains that sweet flavour and is soft inside. It is so easy and simple to make. 

Why try this recipe

I love how delicious these deep-fried pieces of plantain are. The sweetness from the fruit works so well with the crispy batter. They are made in minutes which is ideal if you need to satisfy that sweet craving.

This is a delicious snack on its own but I also have lots of ideas of how you can serve and enjoy the Indonesian Pisang Goreng that I share later in this post. So here is everything you need to know to make them at home yourself. 

Buying plantain

The best place to buy plantain I have found it world food shops in large cities and Caribbean stores but if you are struggling to find them here are some alternatives you might like to consider.

• Green unripe bananas
• Potato
• Yam
• Yucca Root
• Breadfruit
• Jackfruit
• Sweet potato

They will of course change the flavour though so I would get plantain if you can. If you buy more plantain than you need why not also try this Plantain Fritatta?

Is Pisang Goreng healthy?

If I am honest, then no, there isn’t really anything about this recipe that is healthy, but I do also believe that we only live once so why not try something different, even just once.

Ingredients needed to make the Indonesian Pisang Goreng

First of all, it is a good idea to ensure that you can get all of the ingredients together. Focusing on this first means that the cooking process will be simple. You will need:

• 2 ripe plantains
• 1 ¼ cup self-raising flour
• 1 ½ cups of sparkling water
• ½ tsp of salt
• Vegetable oil for frying

How to make the Indonesian Pisang Goreng

Now that you have all your ingredients to hand, it is time to make the Indonesian Pisang Goreng. 

First of all, start by cutting your plantains in half, and then each half lengthwise in 3 or 4 slices, depending on how big your plantains are. 

In a bowl, mix your flour, salt and sparkling water and whisk until smooth. This is your quick and simple batter.

Heat about a quarter inch of vegetable oil in a pan to medium-high heat until it has reached 180°c. 

Dip each plantain slice into the batter and let the excess batter drip off.

Then fry the plantains in batches for about 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Make sure to flip over halfway.

Once fried, place on a plate with kitchen towels so it soaks up all the excess oil.

Serve them hot, and enjoy!

Recipe notes and tips

When it comes to any recipe, it is always a good idea to understand what notes and tips you can use to help you fully utilize the recipe and have success each and every time.

If you want to make the most of these delicious Indonesian Pisang Goreng, here are some recipe notes and tips to help.

Be careful with the oil as it will be extremely hot. 

You can test the oil by dropping a little bit of batter into it. If it starts to crisp up, it indicates the oil is hot enough to deep fry the plantains. 

Don’t forget to add the fried plantains to some kitchen towel. There will be excess oil which won’t be pleasant to eat. It also gives the plantains chance to crisp up even more as they dry out a little. 

Variations to try

Like with many recipes, once you have tried them out a few times, you can make some changes and vary the recipe to suit your tastes and preferences. So I wanted to share some of them that you might want to try. 

You could make this with green bananas if you can’t get hold of any plantains. 

Why not try this method with other fruit? You could deep fry some slices of apple or pear. 

Push a few chocolate chips into the pieces of plantain and then add to the batter as the recipe suggests. It will give an extra sweetness and melted chocolate treat inside the crispy batter. 

FAQs

Like with any recipe, there are often questions that need answering. I thought I would share some of the common questions here, but if you have any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

How should I serve the Indonesian Pisang Goreng?

I think this is the perfect dessert that you could serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could also use these pieces of fried plantain as a topping for other desserts such as a cake. They would also be great stuck in some buttercream frosting when making cupcakes. They could even be banana flavoured. 

How do I store the Indonesian Pisang Goreng?

These are best served straight away and enjoyed. It will be difficult to reheat them and they won’t taste the same served chilled. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if you wish, but it would be best to enjoy them once cooked. 

Where did Pisang Goreng come from? 

Pisang has been a popular snack in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries for many years. The dish is believed to have originated in Indonesia, where it is known as “pisang goreng” or “goreng pisang”. The dish’s popularity spread throughout the region, and it is now a beloved snack in Malaysia.

I hope you enjoy making and eating your Indonesian Pisang Goreng.