Roasted and Fried Breadfruit

Roasted and Fried Breadfruit is a starchy, gluten-free side dish that can be used in a variety of ways. Follow these instructions to learn how to cook breadfruit in the oven and then pan fry it on the stove top for a delicious, crispy texture.

Roasting breadfruit is really a simple process. It takes some time, but it’s totally worth it.

Afterwards, you can even freeze it for later use. 

Once roasted, a quick fry in some coconut oil produces some tasty breadfruit with a crisp outside, and fluffy inside.

It is one of my favorite ways to prepare this amazing tropical fruit.

What is Breadfruit?

Breadfruit is a member of the Jackfruit family, and is native to the South Pacific Islands.

It is the beautiful, starchy fruit of the breadfruit tree (no surprise there) aka Artocarpus altilis.

Breadfruit was brought to the Caribbean in the 18th century as cheap food source for slaves, where it remains a staple in many island cuisines to this day.

Perhaps you might have passed by these large, scaly green globes in a farmer’s market, wondering what on earth people do with them.

I used to think the same thing, until I was introduced to the wonders of breadfruit on a trip to Jamaica. Now, I just can’t get enough of it.

I pick up my breadfruit at Your DeKalb Farmer’s Market, and international farmer’s market here in Atlanta.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to roast it as soon as possible. It will only last a day or two before it starts to go bad.

Taste and Nutrition

Breadfruit has a starchy texture and very mild flavor. I would describe it as similar to white potato or green plantain.

It also has some great nutritional benefits like:

• it’s a great source of dietary fiber with almost 5 grams per serving
• contains high levels of vitamin C
• it is a source of important minerals like potassium and magnesium

source: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/2345402/nutrients

Recipe Ingredients

For this easy recipe you’ll only need three ingredients:

• breadfruit: one large whole breadfruit. Ripe breadfruit should be bright green and firm to the touch. 
• coconut oil: I like the subtile sweetness that coconut oil adds, but feel free to substitute with any high heat cooking oil of your choice
• sea salt

For equipment, you’ll need a sharp pairing knife and chef’s knife, oven mitts, and a large cast iron skillet (or regular skillet).

How to Roast Breadfruit in the Oven

First, start by carving out the stem. A small paring knife works great here.

Then cut a small “x” in the opposite end of the breadfruit.

Lightly coat the breadfruit in some coconut oil and roast directly on the rack of a preheated 375°F oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

As it roasts, your kitchen will be filled with the amazing aroma of fresh-baked bread (hence the name).

A good sign that the breadfruit is ready is when there is steam is coming out of both ends.

Use some oven gloves to remove the breadfruit from the oven (be careful, as it will be very hot).

Allow it to cool, then cut off the outer skin using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.

Cut the breadfruit in half, and scoop out the inner core.

Then slice each half into wedges. At this point you can eat the breadfruit as is, fry it, or freeze it.

How to Fry Breadfruit

To fry the breadfruit, bring a large skillet to medium high heat and add two tablespoons of coconut oil.

Working in batches, add the breadfruit wedges to the skillet making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Cook the wedges for about 4-5 minutes per side, until they are crispy and golden brown.

Transfer the breadfruit to a paper towel lined plate to drain, then season with a sprinkle of sea salt. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Breadfruit

Breadfruit makes a tasty addition to a number of dishes

• It is the ideal pairing to the classic Jamaican dish Ackee and Saltfish
• Serve it with some scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast
• Combine it with your favorite burger recipe as a nice change up to fries.
•  Personally, I love to just dipping fried breadfruit in hot sauce and devouring it.

It really is a very versatile and delicious side dish. Anything that works with potato wedges will work with breadfruit!

Storage

Once it is roasted and sliced, breadfruit stores extremely well in the freezer

To freeze: place the roasted wedges on a baking sheet and place in the freezer overnight. Transfer the wedges to a resealable freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months.

Allow the wedges to thaw before frying as directed.

Store fried breadfruit in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. 

To reheat fried breadfruit: place the wedges on a baking pan and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

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