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These easy Caramelized Bananas are pan-fried in brown sugar and cinnamon for a simple and delicious treat. You can enjoy them as-is or use them as a topping with ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles, French toast, and more!
Why You’ll Love This Caramelized Bananas Recipe
These Caramelized Bananas are SO delicious! They’re pan-fried to perfection with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. They’re great on their own, but they’re especially tasty when paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
I have no shame when admitting my adoration for bananas. I love them in a variety of ways – straight from the peel, in smoothies, in banana bread, and of course, caramelized.
These bananas are:
- Quick + easy! This recipe involves only about 10 minutes of hands on time, and very little prep.
- Minimal ingredients. Only three basic ingredients, plus bananas are needed.
- Healthier. If you want a lightened-up dessert or snack, these caramelized bananas are perfect! To lower the calories a bit more, use half the amount of sugar.
- So delicious! Perfectly sweet with an irresistible, crispy caramelized layer from cooking in the butter. Yes, please!
- Versatility. Caramelized bananas are great served for breakfast, snack or dessert. They also pair well with a variety of other ingredients, from oatmeal to ice cream!
As much as I love eating bananas plain and using them in smoothies and to bake with, there is nothing like caramelized bananas. If you haven’t tried them, you’re in for a real treat!
Ingredients Needed
This caramelized banana recipe calls for just 3 simple ingredients + fresh bananas, of course! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Bananas. Use bananas that are yellow, but have a tinge of green and no brown spots! Overripe bananas with too many black spots won’t hold up to the heat and will become overly mushy. Alternatively, you do not want green bananas either.
- Butter. For cooking the banana slices and adding wonderful rich flavor. Swap for coconut oil or vegan butter as desired.
- Brown sugar. I love using brown sugar to sweeten the banana slices because it has a bit of a caramel flavor that is delicious with the warm bananas. White sugar would also work well.
- Cinnamon. Adds the perfect amount of warmth!
How to Caramelize Bananas
This caramelized bananas recipe is ridiculously easy to whip up! The most time consuming part is slicing the bananas. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Heat pan. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add in the banana slices in a single layer and then sprinkle on the brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss gently to coat each slice.
- Pan-fry bananas. Cook the bananas for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional couple of minutes or until they’re caramelized on both sides and golden brown. Keep a close watch on the pan and gently move the bananas around a little, so that they don’t stick.
- Serve. Remove the hot pan from heat and serve! These are great served on top of ice cream, as the perfect topping on pancakes or waffles, or even enjoyed on their own! Store an leftovers in an airtight container.
Ways to use pan-fried bananas
So many great ways to use caramelized banana slices! Here’s some of my favs:
- Caramelized bananas are great simply served in a bowl with a fork! No need to complicate things when they’re this delicious!
- For an extra special breakfast, use them as a topping over pancakes, oatmeal, French toast and waffles.
- If I’m enjoying these for a snack, I like to pair them with cottage cheese or yogurt and granola and/or chopped nuts.
- Craving a sweet treat? Pair the banana slices with whipped cream, caramel sauce or a drizzle of maple syrup, vanilla ice cream OR some of this TOASTED ALMOND Ice cream (really craving this combo!).
Storing leftovers
Leftover fried bananas can be refrigerated for up to 1-2 days and reheated as needed (I reheat them in the microwave). They’re also pretty tasty eaten straight out of the fridge, cold!
More Sweet Banana Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Covered Banana Bites
- Chocolate Peanut Butter “Nice Cream”
- Split Decision Ice Cream Pie
- Banana Nutella Popsicles
- Banana Protein Pancakes
Caramelized Bananas
Video
Ingredients
- 2 bananas, cut into 1 inch thick coins (see video for reference)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add in the banana slices so that they’re not overlapping and then sprinkle on the brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss gently to coat each slice.2 bananas, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, Sprinkle of cinnamon
- Cook the bananas for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until they’re caramelized on both sides. Be sure to watch the pan and gently move the bananas around a little so that they don’t stick.
- Remove from heat and serve! These are great served over ice cream, on pancakes or waffles, or even enjoyed on their own!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Amazing addition to some steel cut oats! Like a Michelin star topping!
So easy to please my loved ones
We put it on vanilla ice cream.
Delicious.
Took less than 10 minutes.
Best dessert on the fly..
Delicious right out of the pan. But let them cool slightly first 😆
I added pecan pieces and served over French toast with crispy bacon. Oh, yum!