4-Ingredient Pan Fried Bananas Dessert

Quick Summary: Pan fried bananas are firm banana halves cooked cut-side down in a hot, dry skillet with cinnamon sugar, then finished with honey until golden and caramelized. This 4-ingredient dessert takes about 5 minutes, needs no added fat, and pairs with ice cream, yogurt, or whipped cream.

What are pan fried bananas?

Pan fried bananas are firm bananas sliced in half lengthwise and cooked cut side down in a hot skillet until golden, then caramelized with honey. This version uses no added fat, so you get soft, sweet fried bananas that hold their shape.

They do not turn mushy after cooking. Instead, they stay golden brown on the outside and soft and sweet inside.

The bananas keep their shape for a nice presentation. Serve pan fried honey bananas with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, or try caramelized bananas for another quick option.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Quick and cheap. This pan fried banana dessert is ready in about 5 minutes with four everyday ingredients, so it is perfect for using up extra bananas.
• No added fat. The bananas fry in a dry skillet and caramelize in their own sugars plus honey, unlike deep-fried bananas.
• They hold their shape. Firm banana halves stay intact and turn golden on the outside while remaining soft on the inside, instead of going mushy.
• Great any time of day. Serve them for breakfast, as a snack, or as dessert with ice cream, yogurt, or Chantilly cream.
• Easy to vary. Swap honey for maple syrup, add cinnamon, or try caramelized bananas and caramelized apples for more quick fruit desserts.

Ingredients

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

• Bananas: Opt for yellow and firm bananas, organic preferred, little green, with single brown spots or without. Avoid overripe bananas, such as those used for 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 or coconut sugar if desired. 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 for its flavor and aroma. 

• Raw honey makes crispy caramelized bananas a perfect treat.

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.

Step 1: Wash and slice bananas in half lengthwise, keeping the skin on.

Step 2: Heat a frying pan (a nonstick skillet is preferable) over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Pour sugar with ground cinnamon on a plate and mix. Place the banana halves with the cut side down and let the cinnamon sugar coat the flesh well.

Step 4: When the skillet is hot, place the bananas with the flesh side down in a fat-free pan and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown over medium heat (photo 2).

Step 5: 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.

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

Expert Tips

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

Storing & freezing

Pan-fried bananas are best served warm right from the skillet. They aren't supposed 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 freeze well, and they lose their shape. But you can freeze them for up to 3 months, fried and unpeeled, then use them for smoothies.

What to serve with pan fried bananas

Pan fried bananas are best served warm, right from the skillet. Spoon them over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, or oatmeal, or add them to basic crêpes and pancakes.

For a lighter finish, top them with sugar-free whipped cream or Chantilly cream. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts, black sesame seeds, or dark chocolate shavings adds crunch.

FAQ

Can you fry bananas?
You can fry bananas on the stove with or without added fat. Frying brings out their natural sweetness, and a little ground cinnamon and honey turn them into a simple, inexpensive dessert.

Can you cook bananas in a pan?
Yes. The key to cooking bananas in a pan is to use firm, slightly underripe bananas that hold their shape. Cook them, cut side down, over medium-high heat until golden.

What are the best bananas for pan frying?
Use yellow, firm bananas that are just ripe, with little to no brown spots. Overripe bananas turn mushy and fall apart in the pan. Slicing them in half lengthwise, skin-on, helps them retain their shape.

Can you pan fry bananas without oil or butter?
Yes. This recipe fries the bananas in a dry nonstick skillet, so they need no oil or butter. The cinnamon, sugar, and honey caramelize on their own, making this a fat-free dessert.

How do you keep fried bananas from getting mushy?
Choose firm bananas, keep the skin on while slicing, and do not overcook them. Fry the cut side down for 2 to 3 minutes, then add honey for just 30 to 60 seconds.

What do fried bananas taste like?
Fried bananas taste sweet and caramel-like, with a warm cinnamon note. If you fry them in butter, they take on a richer, buttery flavor.

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.

• Banana Bread Mini Muffins
• Chocolate Banana Pecan Cookies
• Pumpkin Banana Bread
• Banana Nutella Crepes

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The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.