Got some ripe bananas sitting on your counter? Don’t let em go to waste! This fried banana with brown sugar recipe is gonna be your new fav dessert. Seriously, once you try these golden-brown beauties coated in that warm, melty caramel sauce, you’ll be making them all the time. What makes this fried banana with brown sugar special is how quick n’ easy it is – just 15 mins from start to finish. Perfect for those nights when you want something sweet but don’t wanna spend hours in the kitchen.
Keep reading to find out how to make the most amazing fried bananas you’ve ever tasted!
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Fried Banana With Brown Sugar Recipe
Listen, I get it. Sometimes desserts feel like way too much work. That’s why I’m obsessed with this fried banana with brown sugar recipe. It saved me last month when my in-laws showed up unexpectedly for dinner. Whipped this up while they were finishing their main course, and they couldn’t stop raving about it!
What’s awesome about these fried bananas is how versatile they are. Serve em over ice cream, with a dollop of whipped cream, or just enjoy em straight from the pan (I won’t judge). You can even customize the spices based on what you have in your pantry.
Let’s get into the good stuff now – exactly how to make these amazing fried bananas with brown sugar that’ll impress everyone.
Ingredients for Perfect Fried Banana With Brown Sugar
Here’s everything you’ll need to make the best fried bananas:
- 4 slightly firm bananas (not too ripe or they’ll get mushy)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar (dark works best but light is fine too)
- 2 tbsp butter (salted adds nice flavor but unsalted works)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (freshly ground makes a huge difference)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff, not imitation if possible)
- Pinch of salt (just a tiny bit to enhance sweetness)
The brown sugar is super important in this recipe – it gives that deep caramel flavor that makes these fried bananas so special. If you only have white sugar, you can use it, but the flavor won’t be as rich.
For bananas, yellow with just a few brown spots is perfect. Too green and they’ll be starchy, too brown and they’ll fall apart when frying.
If you’re dairy-free, coconut oil works pretty well instead of butter. Gives it a tropical twist too!
How to Make Fried Banana With Brown Sugar
Let’s break this down step by step:
- Prep your bananas. Peel em and cut into diagonal slices about 1/2 inch thick. This shape helps them cook evenly and looks prettier on the plate.
- Heat your pan. Put a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Wait till it’s melted and just starting to bubble but not brown.
- Add the banana slices. Carefully place banana pieces in a single layer in the hot pan. Don’t crowd the pan – work in batches if needed. Let em cook for about 2-3 mins until they’re golden on the bottom.
- Flip carefully. Use a spatula to gently turn each piece. They should be golden brown on the first side. If not, give em another minute.
- Sprinkle the good stuff. Once flipped, immediately sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and that pinch of salt over the bananas. The heat will start melting the sugar right away.
- Let it caramelize. Cook another 2 mins until the sugar has melted into a bubbling sauce. Keep an eye on it – sugar can burn fast!
- Finish with vanilla. Turn off heat and add vanilla extract, swirling the pan to mix it into the sauce.
The whole thing takes maybe 7-8 mins of actual cooking time. You’ll know they’re done when the bananas are soft but not mushy and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Pro tip: have everything measured and ready before you start frying. Once you begin, things move fast!
Tasty Variations of Fried Banana With Brown Sugar
Wanna mix things up? Try these awesome variations:
Spiced Rum Fried Bananas
Add a splash (like 1 tbsp) of dark rum to the pan after the sugar starts melting. Let it bubble for 30 seconds to cook off the alcohol but keep that amazing flavor.
Coconut Fried Bananas
Use coconut oil instead of butter, sprinkle with 2 tbsp shredded coconut when you add the sugar, and serve with a scoop of coconut ice cream. Tropical heaven!
Nutty Banana Foster
Toss in 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts when you add the sugar. The nuts get all caramelized and crunchy. So good!
Chocolate Lover’s Fried Bananas
After cooking, drizzle with melted chocolate or nutella. Or both. I won’t tell anyone.
Breakfast Fried Bananas
Serve over pancakes or waffles instead of syrup for the most epic breakfast ever. My kids go crazy for this on weekends.
Fried Banana With Brown Sugar
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet
- Spatula
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 4 slightly firm bananas
- 3 tbsp brown sugar dark or light
- 2 tbsp butter salted or unsalted
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Variations:
- 1 tbsp dark rum for spiced rum version
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut for coconut version
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for nutty version
- Melted chocolate or Nutella for topping
Instructions
- Prep Bananas: Peel and slice bananas diagonally, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Melt Butter: Heat butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until melted and bubbly (not browned).
- Cook Bananas (First Side): Place banana slices in a single layer. Cook for 2–3 minutes until golden.
- Flip: Carefully flip each piece using a spatula.
- Add Flavor: Immediately sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Caramelize: Let cook another 2 minutes until sugar melts into a caramel sauce.
- Finish: Turn off the heat, add vanilla extract, and gently swirl the pan.
- Serve: Serve warm on their own or with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Fried Banana FAQs (Things People Always Ask)
How do you fry bananas with brown sugar?
To fry bananas with brown sugar, first slice slightly firm bananas diagonally. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, then add banana slices in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 mins until golden, flip carefully, then immediately sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Let cook another 2 mins until the sugar melts into a caramel sauce, then finish with a splash of vanilla.
How to make Chinese fried banana?
Chinese fried banana is different from this recipe – it usually involves coating banana pieces in a batter and deep frying them. For that version, you’d dip banana chunks in a mixture of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and water, then deep fry until golden and crispy. Our fried banana with brown sugar recipe is pan-fried without batter for a quicker, easier dessert.
What happens when you substitute brown sugar for white sugar in banana bread?
When you substitute brown sugar for white sugar in banana bread, you get a moister loaf with a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and a slight tanginess that complements bananas perfectly. It also gives the bread a slightly darker color. Same thing happens in this fried banana recipe – brown sugar creates a richer caramel sauce than white sugar would. If you love banana bread, check out our Hawaiian Banana Bread for a tropical twist!
Is it healthy to fry banana?
Frying bananas isn’t the healthiest cooking method since it adds fat and sugar, but it’s definitely healthier than many other desserts. Bananas themselves provide potassium, fiber, and vitamins. If you’re concerned about health, you can reduce the amount of butter and sugar or try baking the bananas instead. Everything in moderation!
Can you fry raw bananas?
Yes, you can fry raw bananas, but the results will be different. Green, unripe bananas have more starch and less sugar, so they’ll be firmer and less sweet when fried. They’re popular in many Caribbean and African cuisines as a savory dish. For this sweet fried banana with brown sugar recipe, slightly ripe but still firm yellow bananas work best.
Serving Ideas for Your Fried Banana With Brown Sugar
These fried bananas are amazing on their own, but wanna take em to the next level? Serve warm with:
- Vanilla ice cream (the hot-cold combo is incredible)
- A dollop of Greek yogurt (for a slightly tangy contrast)
- Whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra cinnamon
- Alongside Cottage Cheese Banana Bread for a banana-themed dessert feast
Leftovers? If you somehow don’t finish all these fried bananas (unlikely!), store in the fridge and warm em up in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. They’ll be a bit softer but still delicious.
From My Kitchen to Yours
First time I made these fried bananas with brown sugar was after a long day when I just needed something sweet without a ton of effort. Found some bananas that were about to go bad and threw this together. Now it’s the dessert my family requests most often.
What I love about this recipe is it walks that perfect line between fancy enough for company but easy enough for a random Tuesday night. My grandma, who’s super picky about desserts, asked for the recipe last time she visited – that’s when I knew this one was special!
Make this recipe your own – add different spices, try it with fruits, or change up how you serve it. Then let me know how it turned out! There’s nothing better than sharing good food with the people you care about, even if it’s just a simple fried banana with brown sugar.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also love our Joys Banana Bread for another amazing way to use up those ripe bananas!