Golden, crispy, and full of Caribbean soul, plantain chips (papito in Haitian Creole) are a beloved staple in Haitian street food. In Haitian culture, plantain chips aren’t just a street food — they’re a culinary love language. You’ll find them in every corner of the streets of Haiti, street vendors are always sitting outside of the school waiting the bell to ring and the students would gather around the vendors to buy papita . And the secret to getting them just right? It all starts with the plantain itself. How to Pick the Best Plantains: For savory, crispy plantains: Choose green or just-turning-yellow plantains. These are firmer and starchy, ideal for slicing, frying, smashing, and frying again — Haitian-style. The semi sweet plantains taste the best! No need to buy plantain old chips at the store, you can make it yourself. They are simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious.