Plantain Chips & Guacamole

Plantain Chips & Vegan Guacamole

One of my favorite things to order when I’m out and about is guacamole, but as I discussed in my vegan nachos recipe post, tortilla chips are not good for you! The tortilla chips make it hard for me to enjoy this snack/appetizer when I’m trying to eat healthy. I think that’s the main reason why so many people stop making healthy lifestyle choices, it’s hard to stick to something when you feel like you’re depriving yourself of all the snacks you used to enjoy. The best thing I ever learned when it comes to living a healthy life is that depriving yourself of what you crave only makes it worse. You should always try to find a healthier alternative for your cravings but since you have me all you really need to do is come to my blog and find out what cravable meals I’m making for you! 

For this chip and guac recipe I bet you guys thought I would suggest jicama again but of course I had to spice it up for you guys! Of course you are able to use the jicama as well but between you and me the chip base I used was so good I ate the entire thing (and it was for like 6 servings). The fruit of the day is (drum-roll)....PLANTAINS! Plantains when cooked have around the same goodies nutritionally speaking as potatoes except plantains are higher in fiber and are richer in magnesium and potassium.

I got the idea for this from when I was living in Laguna Beach I found this restaurant that served Plantain Chips and Guacamole. BEST. COMBO. EVER. Plantain chips have way more nutritional value than Corn Tortilla Chips, which makes this a perfect healthy alternative. I would literally go to that restaurant just for this appetizer. Unfortunately, they stopped making it because they said the plantain chips were too hard to make (correctly) consistently. So that is when I started making these at home!

As always please take a pic of your masterpiece and post in my comments section what you thought of this and how many people you shared or didn’t share it with ;) 

Ingredients: 

1.     Chips: 

• 2 big plantains 

• Sprinkle of salt

• Squeeze of one half of lime juice 

• 1 TBS of Coconut Oil

2.     Guacamole:

• 4 avocados

• 1 red tomato 

• Big handful of cilantro 

• 1 full squeeze of lime juice 

• Sprinkle of salt 

• 1 red onion 

• 3 cloves of garlic 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (or use air fryer…see below for how to)! Take out some parchment and lay it on a baking sheet.

2. Peel your plantains. The easiest way to peel them is to take a knife and slice through the peel from top to bottom to get it started. If you try to peel it like a banana you will not have a fun time. Next, cut them into little circles (thin but not too thin). 

3. Take your plantain circles and put them in a bowl and sprinkle with salt, coconut oil and lime juice and mix it all together. When the plantains are all oiled up spread them out on your parchment sheet and cook for about 20 minutes! 

4. Have a bowl and cutting board ready and layout all the guac ingredients. You want to start with the avocado and lightly mash it first before you add any of the other ingredients. 

5. Chop your tomato, onion, cilantro and garlic. Then stir in the chopped ingredients.

6. Squeeze in your lime and add salt to taste.

7. Now that you have your guacamole try not to eat it until the chips are done. When the oven dings transfer your chips to a plate and your guacamole to a serving bowl and viola!

   Notes:

   * Keep an eye on the plantains. If you like your chips to be crunchier then leave them in a few minutes more. I prefer mine softer, so as soon as the edges start to brown I take them out.

   * Once you take the Plantain Chips out of the oven they will contine to harden up as they cool down.

   * You can also make these Plantain Chips with an Air Fryer. That is actually my preferred way to make them because I can make them oil free! You just put them in the air fryer on the highest temp and shake the basket every 5 minutes until done. 1 Plantain usually takes about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the air fryer. 

This is the air fryer I use (of course I got the mermaid color): Dash Compact Air Fryer 1.2 L Electric Air Fryer Oven Cooker with Temperature Control, Non Stick Fry Basket, Recipe Guide + Auto Shut off Feature - Aqua