4-Ingredient Pan Fried Bananas Dessert

Name: 4-Ingredient Pan Fried Bananas
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 firm yellow bananas; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 pinch of ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons honey; ice cream; black sesame seeds

Jump to Recipe

Just because you don't have time for a fancy dessert doesn't mean you can't prepare a simple, quick, yet luxurious pan-fried bananas dessert. Made with four basic ingredients, with a healthy option in mind, within 5 minutes. What could be better?

Pan fried bananas topped with ice cream and black sesame seeds

With this special recipe, you can treat yourself to delicious fried bananas without any added fat. So get ready for a healthier alternative that still satisfies your sweet cravings.

Jump to:

Why you should try this recipe
Ingredients
Recipe variations
How to make fried bananas
Expert Tips
Storage instructions
FAQ
Love banana dessert? Try these next!
Recipe card
Comments

You will forget about mushy-looking bananas after cooking. Instead, enjoy the new perfect fried banana experience, with golden brown on the outside and deliciously sweet inside.

This tasty treat keeps its shape for a surprising presentation. Serve pan fried honey bananas and a scoop of your favorite ice cream for indulgence.

Pan-fried bananas with ice cream, sesame seeds, and a spoon on a plate

Why you should try this recipe

The pan-fried bananas recipe makes a quick and inexpensive dessert. So don't let those extra bananas on the counter go to waste. Ripe and yellow, they are perfect for this delicious treat.

It is a fun dessert easily made while camping. It is also perfect for gathering outside during the summertime.

Banana and honey pair beautifully in this easy banana dessert. Read more about flavor pairings.

Fried bananas with honey are great for a special breakfast, as a snack food in the afternoon snack, and make a simple dessert to finish your dinner.

Finally, this crispy fried banana recipe is fat-free compared to deep fried bananas: no butter or margarine is used.

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

Bananas: Opt for yellow and firm bananas, organic preferable, little green, with single brown spots or without. Avoid overripe bananas, like those for making moist banana bread. Small or mini bananas are preferred to make this recipe.

Sugar: The recipe calls for white granulated or caster sugar. You can replace it with brown sugar if desired. To make a healthy dessert, use coconut sugar instead.

You can replace white sugar with aromatic vanilla sugar to give your recipe an unforgettable vanilla twist.

Ground cinnamon provides a cozy and inviting flavor for pan fried cinnamon bananas. Ceylon cinnamon is the best regarding its flavor and aroma.

Raw honey makes crispy caramelized bananas perfect for your taste buds' experience.

Recipe variations

With this incredible fried banana recipe, you can make simple variations.

Switch out honey for maple syrup to give your dish an extra sweet touch.

Top fried bananas with dark chocolate shavings or roasted coconut chips.

Sprinkle pan-fried banana dessert with chopped walnuts or almonds for a crunchy touch.

Serve with sugar-free whipped cream, Chantilly cream, yogurt, homemade farmer's cheese, or cottage cheese.

How to make fried bananas

The key to the perfect pan-fried bananas is firm bananas that will hold their shape during cooking.

Wash and slice bananas in half lengthwise, keeping the skin on.

Heat a frying pan (a nonstick skillet is preferable) over medium-high heat.

Pour sugar with ground cinnamon on a plate and mix. Place the banana halves with the cut side down and let cinnamon sugar coat the flesh well.

When the skillet is hot, place bananas with the flesh side on a fat-free pan and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown over medium heat (photo 2).

Pour in honey and let the bananas caramelize for 30-60 seconds, shaking the pan. Serve honey bananas immediately (photo 3).

Expert tip: Don't let your bananas burn. Get ready to remove them from the skillet.

Fried bananas with caramel and sesame seeds aside

Arrange them on a serving plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds if desired.

Pan fried banana dessert served with ice cream and sesame seeds

Expert Tips

If you double or triple the recipe, lemon the sliced bananas to prevent them from blackening.
If desired, peel bananas and cut them into strips lengthwise (skin off). Fry them until golden brown over low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
It is essential to preheat the pan well before introducing the banana slices.
Watch out for banana caramelization once the honey is added. They burn quickly.
Soak the pan in hot water right after cooking; a dash of dish soap helps.

Storage instructions

Pan-fried bananas are best served warm right from the skillet. They don't suppose to be stored for long. But you can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

To serve warm, reheat them in the microwave at 70% power in 30-second intervals.

Can you freeze fried bananas? Unfortunately, they don't stand freezing well, losing their shape. But, you can freeze them for up to 3 months, fried and unpeeled, then use them for smoothies.

FAQ

Can you fry bananas?

You can fry bananas on a stove with butter or without any fat. Frying bananas helps reveal their sweetness, boosted with ground cinnamon for a simple and inexpensive dessert.

Can you cook bananas in a pan?

You can cook bananas in a pan with butter and without. The key to cooking bananas on a skillet is to use firm bananas that hold their shape.

Can regular bananas be cooked?

You can cook regular bananas on a stove or roast them in the oven. Both ways make a simple and delicious dessert.

Is it good to fry bananas?

Frying bananas reveals their sweetness and doesn't affect their nutrients. For a healthy version, you can fry bananas without added fat by sprinkling fruit with coconut sugar or make them sugar-free by frying them in coconut oil.

What do fried bananas taste like?

Fried bananas taste pronounced caramel with cinnamon flavor if added and buttery if fried in butter.

Love banana dessert? Try these next!

Never wonder again about what to make with bananas. The website is bursting with banana recipes that will help you create something delicious besides these pan fried cinnamon bananas.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for my latest updates.

Recipe card