Haitian Plantain Porridge Recipe (Labouyi Bannann)
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Haitian Plantain Porridge (called Labouyi Bannann in Haitian) is a warm, creamy, spic-infused Caribbean-style breakfast dish traditionally prepared with fresh green plantains, coconut milk, and pantry spices like cinnamon, star anise, and vanilla. This porridge is naturally gluten-free, rich, and incredibly comforting, much like Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge. Make it using my easy recipe.
You might like more Haitian recipes, such as Haitian Epis and Haitian Spaghetti.
A Quick Look At This Plantain Porridge Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Cuisine: Caribbean / Haitian
Course: Breakfast
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Skill Level: Beginner
Equipment: Blender, Saucepan, Whisk
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Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- Comforting, creamy, and naturally sweet from ripe plantains, no heavy sweeteners needed.
- Warmly spiced with cinnamon, star anise, and vanilla for classic Haitian flavor.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes.
- Vegetarian, gluten-free, and customizable with your choice of milk or toppings.
Table of Contents
- A Quick Look At This Plantain Porridge Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- About Haitian Plantain Porridge (Labouyi Bannann)
- Ingredients
- How To Make Haitian Plantain Porridge
- Haitian Plantain Porridge FAQs
- Other Breakfast Recipes We Recommend
- Haitian Plantain Porridge Recipe (Labouyi Bannann) Recipe
About Haitian Plantain Porridge (Labouyi Bannann)
Haitian Plantain Porridge, also known as Labouyi Bannann, is a porridge prepared with fresh green plantains.
It is pretty popular in Haitian households and is often made for breakfast.
This Haitian porridge is gluten-free, creamy, easy to make, packed with Caribbean flavors, and comes together in under 30 minutes.
It can easily be made vegan, too.
Ingredients
Green Plantain – You can easily find raw green unripe plantain in any supermarket, grocery store, or local vegetable market. This porridge can also be prepared with ripe plantains, but the flavor will differ.
Carrots add a mild, earthy sweetness to the porridge.
Unsweetened Evaporated Milk & Coconut Milk – These two ingredients give the porridge a creamy texture.
In some households, people use sweetened condensed milk instead of coconut milk. If you are using condensed milk, skip adding sugar.
For a vegan version, replace evaporated milk with almond, oat, soy, or rice milk.
Brown Sugar – I like to sweeten my porridge with brown sugar, but you can also use maple or agave syrup.
Star Anise – Adds a beautiful flavor and aroma.
Vanilla Extract – Use a good-quality one.
Ground Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a must-have ingredient. It adds a beautiful flavor and takes the green plantain porridge to another level.
How To Make Haitian Plantain Porridge
Step 1: Peel 26 oz (750 g) of unripe green plantains with a sharp knife and slice them.
Step 2: Peel a medium carrot and cut it into small pieces.
Step 3: Add the sliced plantain, chopped carrot, and 1 cup of water to a blender.
Step 4: Blend until smooth.
Step 5: Add 1 cup of water and 1 star anise to a saucepan, then bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step 6: Once the water comes to a boil, add ½ cup of evaporated milk and ½ cup of coconut milk, stirring well.
Step 7: As soon as the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to low.
Step 8: Now add the plantain puree and stir until combined.
Step 9: Simmer on low heat, frequently stirring, until the plantain is cooked and the porridge is thick, smooth, and creamy (10-15 minutes).
If the porridge tastes grainy, it needs to cook more.
Step 10: Add the following ingredients and stir to combine.
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup tightly packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon powder
Step 11: Check for sugar and add more if needed.
Step 12: Transfer the hot porridge to serving bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and serve hot.
Haitian Plantain Porridge FAQs
Plantains have a starchy, less sweet taste compared to bananas. They are often described as having a mild potato-like flavor. In contrast, bananas are known for their sweet taste.
Plantains have a firmer and denser texture than bananas, even when fully ripe. They are less juicy and have a more substantial bite. Bananas, on the other hand, are softer and have a smooth, creamy texture.
Plantains are primarily used as a cooking ingredient, while bananas are typically eaten raw. Plantains are commonly used in savory dishes and can be boiled, fried, or roasted. They are a staple in many cuisines and are often incorporated into stews, porridges, fritters, or served as a side dish. Bananas are enjoyed as a snack, added to desserts, used in smoothies, or baked into bread and cakes.
Yes, you can make it using raw green bananas.
This Haitian porridge tastes best when served fresh right off the pan.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 2-3 days.
Reheat in the microwave until nicely hot before serving. Add more coconut milk or evaporated milk to adjust the consistency.
You can also freeze this breakfast porridge for 3 months. Thaw, reheat, and serve.
Other Breakfast Recipes We Recommend
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Haitian Plantain Porridge Recipe (Labouyi Bannann)
Ingredients
- 26 ounces fresh green plantains (750 g)
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 star anise
- 2 cups water (divided)
- ½ cup unsweetened evaporated milk
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup tightly packed brown sugar (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel the plantains using a sharp knife and slice them into slices.
- Peel the carrot and cut it into small pieces.
- Add the sliced plantain, chopped carrot, and 1 cup of water to a blender.
- Blend until well blended and smooth.
- Add 1 cup of water and star anise to a saucepan and bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
- Once the water comes to a boil, add evaporated milk and coconut milk and stir well.
- As soon as the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to low.
- Now add the plantain puree and stir until combined.
- Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, until the plantain is cooked and the porridge is thick, smooth, and creamy (10-15 minutes).
- If the porridge tastes grainy, it needs to cook more.
- Add vanilla extract, brown sugar, and cinnamon powder, and stir to combine.
- Check for sugar and add more if needed.
- Transfer the hot porridge to serving bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and serve hot.
What would a serving size be? I only ask because it is so high in carbohydrates. My mom would make this when I was a child… 🇭🇹
Thanks!
This recipe serves 4.The serving size is approximately 1 cup. Thanks
I enjoyed thiporridge ge
I made this porridge, it was lovely