Banana slices are caramelized in a buttery brown sugar sauce in this easy Fried Bananas recipe. Serve over ice cream for dessert or add them to pancakes, waffles, or French toast in the morning.
These fried bananas are one of my favorite ways to add a little something special to breakfast or dessert. They’re very similar to bananas foster but without the rum set on fire. (There is an option to add rum, though – just no fire!) The sauce is made with butter, brown sugar, and honey so it’s sticky sweet and lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. One of my favorite ways to enjoy this is on pancakes for a special weekend breakfast treat.
Why I Love These Fried Bananas
- Ready in 10 minutes. These bananas are quick and easy to whip up anytime. It takes just a few minutes to make the sauce and 5 minutes for the bananas to caramelize.
- Breakfast or dessert. I love adding these fried bananas to pancakes or waffles for a sweet breakfast treat. But they also make a great dessert when served over ice cream!
- Rich, buttery sauce. These bananas are cooked in a buttery brown sugar honey sauce with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s sticky sweet, smooth, and lightly spiced so you still get the banana flavor.
Recipe Ingredients
This recipe requires just a few ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Bananas – Use bananas that are ripe but still firm to prevent them from becoming too mushy during cooking.
- Butter – The base of the sauce the bananas are cooked in. It adds richness to the recipe.
- Brown sugar – Caramelizes to form the sticky sweet sauce.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg – These warm spices compliment the brown sugar sauce well.
- Honey – For added sweetness and flavor, plus it makes the sauce thicker and sticky. Maple syrup works as well.
- Rum – A splash of dark rum is an optional addition.
How To Make Fried Bananas
These bananas come together in just 10 minutes! The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Make the sauce. Combine the butter, sugar, spices, and honey over medium heat. Stir until a smooth sauce is created as the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
- Cook the bananas. Add the banana slices in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes then flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Add the rum. If desired, remove the skillet away from the heat and add the rum. Return to heat.
- Caramelize. Continue cooking the bananas for an additional 1-2 minutes until the caramelize and the sauce thickens.
- Enjoy. Serve immediately over ice cream, pancakes, or waffles.
Tips & Variations
Here are a few considerations for making this fried bananas recipe.
- Enhance the flavor. Add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the sauce.
- Make it dairy-free. Use coconut oil or margarine instead of butter for a dairy-free option.
- Skip the rum. The rum is not an essential part of this recipe. Feel free to skip it if you prefer an alcohol free version.
- Cook in batches. The bananas should be in a single layer so if necessary, cook them in batches. Just keep the first batch warm in a low oven (200°F/93°C) while finishing the rest.
- Remove from heat. When adding the rum, be sure to remove the pan from the heat first to avoid a flame or burning the rum. Once it’s added, return to heat so it can finish caramelizing.
Ways To Serve Them
There are so many ways to enjoy this fried bananas. For a quick dessert, serve them over vanilla ice cream. We love to add a drizzle of caramel sauce or you can also top with chopped walnuts or pecans.
They are also a great addition to breakfast, served over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
Proper Storage
- Fridge. Store leftover fried bananas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Fried Bananas
Ingredients
- 3 medium bananas peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon rum optional
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey.
- Stir the mixture until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, creating a smooth sauce.
- Place the banana slices in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Flip the banana slices gently and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- If using rum, carefully move the skillet away from the heat and pour in the rum. Return the skillet to the heat.
- Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the bananas to caramelize and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Remove the bananas from the skillet and serve immediately over ice cream or overtop pancakes and waffles.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Last Step:
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