Every recipe has a backstory- want to know the one behind today’s caramelized bananas?
It starts with me coming home from a very long trip, tired and hungry, only to be greeted by an almost empty fridge (except 2 bananas)! No way I was going to the grocery store at that hour. So, I grabbed a pan, tossed in some butter, added the banana slices, sprinkled a little sugar, and voila- a warm and tasty treat ready in 10 minutes!
I know what you are thinking- why go through the trouble of caramelizing when you could just eat the banana, right?
The answer reveals itself the moment the bananas hit the pan with butter and sugar. The sugar melts, creating a rich, toffee-like coating that complements the creamy goodness of the butter. Add just a pinch of cinnamon(optional, but trust me) and the whole thing takes a warm and aromatic turn that’s totally irresistible!
What was once just a few slices of fruit is now a delicious dessert, full of buttery goodness with crispy, golden edges. These caramelized bananas are typically served as a topping with pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, ice cream, and French toast, among others. Was it worth the extra 5 minutes it took to make? Take a bite and find out!
Why You’ll Love This Caramelized Bananas Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare.
- Budget-Friendly, Rich with natural sweetness.
- Customizable flavors.
- Serve over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, or enjoy alone.
- Perfect for any time of the day!
What Are Caramelized Bananas
Caramelized bananas are a sweet and simple dessert that only takes 3 ingredients and 10 minutes to make! It’s basically banana slices cooked in butter, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon until they are golden, soft, and sticky.
Ripe bananas are perfect for making this recipe as they are naturally sweet, and caramelizing them only boosts their sweetness. You can use caramelized bananas in smoothies, parfaits, and on top of other stuff like muffins, pancakes, toast, waffles, ice cream, and of course, banana bread!
Any dessert that’s topped with raw banana slices tastes 2X better with caramelized banana, as they are enriched with a buttery sweetness.
Expert Tips and Tricks To Make Caramelized Bananas
Find yourself messing up even the simplest recipes? Don’t worry- we have all been there! Here are some expert tips to make it like a pro every time:
- Choose ripe, but firm bananas that have yellow peel and few brown spots for the most flavorful caramelization.
- Place your banana slices in a single layer in the pan. Overcrowding the pan may lead to steaming instead of caramelizing.
- Keep an eye on the temperature, as too much heat can cause the sugar to burn before the banana cooks, and too low heat may result in soggy bananas.
- To enjoy a good crust, let one side of the bananas cook properly before flipping them to the other side.
- Use a nonstick skillet or heavy-bottomed cast-iron pan for even heat distribution.
- After transferring the caramelized bananas to the serving plate, deglaze the pan with orange juice or water to collect the flavorful bits in the pan and spoon them over the bananas for extra yumminess!
- Feel like the bananas could use a little more flavor? Try adding a pinch of salt to bring out the sweetness and create a perfect balance.
- Pair caramelized bananas with grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, smoked fish, coconut rice, and lamb kebabs for a fun and delicious twist!
Caramelized Bananas Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp / 42 g Butter
- 3 tbsp / 36 g Brown Sugar
- 2 Ripe Bananas
- 1 tbsp / 15 ml Water
- ½ tsp / 1 g Cinnamon
Equipments
Instructions
Prepare The Bananas
- Peel the bananas and place them on a cutting board.
- Slice the bananas into ½-inch rounds for even cooking.
Melt Butter and Add Brown Sugar
- Place a nonstick skillet on the stove over medium heat.
- Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt.
- Once the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and stir constantly.
- Then, pour in the water until it has dissolved into the butter and sugar, creating a smooth, caramel-like mixture (about 1-2 minutes).
Sprinkle Cinnamon and Add Banana Slices
- Add cinnamon, stirring well to combine all ingredients and prevent any clumping of the cinnamon.
- Then add banana slices to the pan, gently coating them in the caramel sauce.
- Use a spatula to gently stir the banana slices so that they don’t stick to the pan.
- Once one side of the banana slices is cooked, flip and cook the banana for about 1-2 minutes.
- Flip until they are caramelized.
Serve Immediately and Enjoy!
- Remove the caramelized bananas from the heat and serve them on a plate.
- Enjoy the sweet and delicious caramelized bananas over pancakes, yogurt, or oatmeal for a quick breakfast or dessert!
Caramelized bananas are the perfect treat for times when you want something sweet, but not too heavy. With bananas as the core ingredient, it’s basically a healthy snack with a little extra sweetness! On the days my kids are craving something sweet, I love to make a batch of this delicious treat without worrying about the sugar overload of candies.
And the best part? It’s so quick and easy to make that sometimes my little ones join in, making it even more fun! It’s the ultimate family-friendly recipe that can be customized to any flavor that fits everyone’s cravings.
Recipe FAQs
Why Does My Sugar Burn Before Caramelizing?
The most common reason for this is using heat that’s too high or not stirring enough. Use medium heat and stir the bananas evenly to prevent scorching.
How Do I Make Caramelized Bananas Healthy?
To make the caramelized bananas healthy, cut back on the sugar and use coconut oil instead of butter in the recipe.
What Can I Use Instead Of Sugar In This Recipe?
You can use natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup if you want to avoid sugar. Just be sure to keep the heat low, as these sweeteners burn more quickly than brown sugar.
How Do I Store And Reheat Caramelized Bananas?
You can store caramelized bananas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
You can reheat them in 15-second intervals in the microwave with a splash of water or butter, or for better results, gently heat in a non-stick pan over medium-low heat while stirring occasionally until warmed through.
What Other Flavors Or Toppings Go Well With It?
You can try nutmeg, vanilla extract, whipped cream, honey or even ice cream for an extra dose of yumminess.
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