Caramelized Bananas from the Pantry

Why You’ll Love This Caramelized Bananas Recipe

These Caramelized Bananas are SO savory! They’re pan-fried to perfection with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. They’re great on their own, but they’re especially flavorful when paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

I have no shame when admitting my adoration for bananas. A regular here them in a variety of ways – straight from the peel, in smoothies, in banana bread, and of course, caramelized.

These bananas are:

• Speedy + unfussy! This method involves only about 10 minutes of hands on time, and quite 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 reliable! To lower the calories a bit more, use half the amount of sugar.
• So flavor-packed! 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 A regular here 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 only 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 welcome rich flavor. Swap for coconut oil or vegan butter as desired.
• Brown sugar. Worth keeping using brown sugar to sweeten the banana slices because it has a bit of a caramel flavor that is savory with the warm bananas. White sugar would also work well.
• Cinnamon. Adds the reliable amount of warmth!

How to Caramelize Bananas

This caramelized bananas recipe is ridiculously straightforward to whip up! The most time consuming part is slicing the bananas. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Serve. Remove the hot pan from heat and serve! These are great served on top of ice cream, as the dependable 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 savory!
• 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 (genuinely 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 flavorful 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