Caramelized Plantain Dessert Quesadillas with Nutella

I recently read about Sugar High Fridays on Heather’s blog Diary of a Fanatic Foodie. It’s a fun monthly event dreamed up by Jennifer at The Domestic Goddess, where bloggers post an original dessert recipe. When I read Heather’s theme this month was desserts inspired by your favorite travel destinations, I immediately knew I wanted to create a recipe with caramelized plantains. Plantains are used in savory and sweet dishes in the Caribbean and are especially yummy when they are fried and coated with cinnamon and sugar. They are 100x better than caramelized bananas!

I decided to caramelize the plantains in the oven instead of frying them, and then layer them between Nutella and whole wheat tortillas. I brushed the quesadillas with butter and cinnamon and sauted them on both sides, until they turned golden brown and the cinnamon was baked into the tortillas, and then topped them with some chopped strawberry “salsa.” Each bite took me back to the beaches and flavors of the Caribbean! I really enjoyed coming up with this recipe and look forward to future Sugar High Fridays!

Caramelized Plantain Dessert Quesadillas with Nutella
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 black-brown plantains, sliced into 3/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup Nutella
2 whole wheat tortillas
3 strawberries, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Mix 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and brown sugar in a small dish. Mix butter and sugar mixture with sliced plantains in an 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes or until plantains are caramelized.

Spread Nutella evenly over tortillas. Top Nutella on one tortilla with caramelized plantains (you will probably have a few extra pieces to enjoy on their own!) and then place the remaining tortilla on top, Nutella side down.

Mix remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small dish. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat one side of the quesadilla. Place the quesadilla, buttered side down, in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, brush remaining butter on the other side of the quesadilla. Flip over and sauté the other side as well. Cool slightly and cut into wedges. Serve with strawberry “salsa,” if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition: 230 calories, 10.0g fat, 3.6g fiber, 3.8g protein per serving
Cost: $1.88 total