Description
Fried Bananas is a quick and delicious dessert or snack featuring ripe but firm bananas caramelized in a buttery brown sugar and cinnamon sauce. This recipe yields tender, golden banana slices with a rich sweet glaze, perfect served warm on their own or as a topping for pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or ice cream. With optional vanilla extract and drizzles of honey or maple syrup, it’s an easy stovetop dish inspired by American and Latin flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Preparation
- 2 ripe but firm bananas, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds or split lengthwise
Cooking Mixture
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Serving
- Honey or maple syrup for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir constantly until it begins to bubble and melt completely.
- Create the caramel sauce: Mix in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt into the melted butter. Cook until the mixture is smooth and bubbling, ensuring the sugar dissolves fully to form a glaze.
- Add the bananas: Place the banana slices in a single layer in the skillet. Cook them gently for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn golden brown and caramelized. Carefully flip to avoid breaking the slices.
- Finish with vanilla: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the vanilla extract if using. This adds a subtle aromatic note to the dish.
- Serve warm: Transfer the fried bananas to serving dishes. They can be enjoyed alone, served on pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or accompanied by ice cream. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup if desired for extra sweetness.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of rum or dark maple syrup while cooking the bananas.
- You can substitute plantains for bananas, but increase the cooking time slightly to ensure caramelization.
- Best enjoyed fresh for the optimal texture and flavor, but leftovers can be gently reheated in a skillet.
