5 Creative Plantain Dessert Recipes | Vegan and Gluten Free Options

The other day I was reminiscing about the recipes in the Plantain Cookbook, particularly the plantain-based desserts in there. I have always maintained that plantain is one of the most versatile ingredients out there and there's no limit to the meals you can create using it. 

Below are just a handful of the recipes in the book. I hope they inspire you to cook creatively and rethink how you use plantain. Which one would you like to try first?

1. Caramel Plantain Chip Energy Balls (gluten-free)

First up we have this easy but delicious sweet treat. When I worked at a vegan restaurant a few years ago, we used to make all manner of energy balls. It was always fun to mix and match different flavours and try out interesting ingredients to switch up the texture. This take on it, using sweet plantain chips in the filling, is a winner. Think chewy, crunchy and gooey all at once!

2. Chocolate and Toasted Coconut Bites (gluten-free)

Creamy chocolate, toasted coconut and sweet, chewy, caramelised plantain. Don't knock this combination until you've tried it! These are great to have as a quick snack or to serve as dessert appetisers. 

3. Plantain Chocolate Fudge Cake

I mean, come on! This recipe is inspired by the sweet potato fudge cake I used to make at the restaurant I worked out. You'll want to use sweet, ripe plantains in this to really achieve that fudgy consistency. This cake is so rich and indulgent, especially when served warm alongside some vegan vanilla ice cream. 

4. Plantain and Mixed Berry Mosa

Sweet, pillow-soft plantain mosa with bursts of tart berries in each bite. Mmmm. Mosa is similar to little dumplings or unleavened doughnuts. A delicious snack that's incredibly hard to resist once you start eating. This is one you can really play around with, adding different combinations of sweet fruits. 

5. Plantain and Carrot Cupcakes

One bite of this cupcake and you will be obsessed. It's all the beauty of carrot cake with morsels of sweet plantain infused into the batter. These are soft, succulent and flavourful. To serve as a dessert, you can dress these up with some vegan cream cheese frosting, or serve warm with vegan single cream.