Plantain (Raw Banana) Chips | Vazhakkai Varuval

Summer holidays are almost going to begin in a few weeks time and the kids will be home having fun playing around with friends. This is that time of the year when parents look for various ideas to cater to children's sudden hunger pangs. Not always can we run to the kitchen to whip up snacks for kids . It is  best to have some dried snacks handy to attend to their uncalled for munching time. I will try to present some home made snacks in the coming days.

Even if the snacks are deep fried,its always best to make it at home because we will use the best of ingredients and most importantly  the quality of oil which we always worry about when buying snacks from outside.

Chips in any form are children's favorite..why alone children? Even we adults get addicted to potato chips and banana chips very easily. This Banana chips is very close to my heart as I have grown up seeing my grandma and mom make these in big dabbas for all of us to munch on.

Grandpa would help grandma in slicing the bananas thinly and spread it on a huge white towel while grandma would fry it patiently as I would await to get my share from her. On the other hand,mom would slice the bananas directly over the oil with absolute precision ..I am scared to do that so I followed by grandmom's old way of slicing - spreading - frying . Slightly lengthy,but safe as we donot have to bother about balancing the slicer on the hot oil...

Fast forward to 2024......

 I have now mastered the art of slicing the banana slices directly into the oil. It certainly requires a lot of skill, patience and concentration. So pls do it only if you have the confidence and have someone around you,if you are attempting it for the first time. 

I am sharing a quick video which will demonstrate how to slice the bananas direct into the oil.

Important tips & Tricks

1. Take the piece of plantain from the water and drain it on a cotton cloth . 
2. Grease the slicer blade with little oil for ease of slicing.  Adjust the thickness of the blade to the desired slice size .
3. Hold the slicer at a height from the oil and place it at the position such the slices fall into the hot oil .
4. Start slicing and you can see the slices fall easily into the oil .

Preparation Time : 15 mins

Frying Time : 30-40 mins

Makes  - 200-250 gms (approx)

Complexity : Medium High

Ingredients

2-3 medium sized raw bananas

1 teaspoon salt

oil for frying

1/2 tsp red chilli powder 

1/2 tsp pepper powder

Method

• Mix the salt ,redchilli powder ,pepper powder in a bowl and keep aside.
• Peel the skin of the bananas and soak them in water to prevent it from turning black.
• Take a slicer or with a knife make thin slices of the bananas and spread it on a nice big cotton towel.
• Heat the oil in a kadai and once it reaches the heating point turn it to medium flame.
• Drop the banana slices one by one in batches and fry only on MEDIUM FLAME. 
• If slicing directly over the oil ,do it on medium flame.
• It will start bubbling a lot as soon as slices are droped in the Oil .Wait until the sizzling and hissing sound reduces. 
• Slowly turn the batch of chips to the other side and fry until golden brown. Drain and take it out in a bowl. The chips will sound crunchy and crisp.
• Add the  seasoning mix and give it a good mix. 
• Repeat the frying process for the entire batch .Yummy home made chips is ready to eat.
• Store it in a dry container and keep away from moisture.

Pin me up