Description
Caramelized Bananas transform ripe bananas into a sweet, golden, and flavorful treat perfect for breakfast toppings or desserts. This quick and easy recipe enhances the natural sweetness of bananas by gently caramelizing their sugars with butter and brown sugar, creating a rich, sticky glaze that pairs beautifully with pancakes, ice cream, or yogurt. Customizable with optional spices and variations, these caramelized bananas add a gourmet touch to any dish with minimal ingredients and effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Essential Ingredients
- 2 to 3 ripe but firm bananas
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted preferred)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Variations
- Splash of rum or coconut extract for tropical twist
- Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch
- Pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for extra spice
- Coconut oil or vegan butter to make dairy-free
- Fresh or frozen berries for sweet and tart combination
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Peel and slice the bananas into uniform ½ inch thick pieces to ensure even cooking. Measure out butter, brown sugar, lemon juice, and any optional spices or extracts you plan to use.
- Melt Butter and Sugar: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and allow it to dissolve and bubble gently until a silky caramel sauce forms.
- Add Bananas and Lemon Juice: Arrange the banana slices in a single layer over the caramel sauce. Sprinkle lemon juice evenly over the bananas to enhance flavor and keep them vibrant.
- Cook Until Golden: Let the bananas cook for 2-3 minutes per side, carefully flipping with a spatula to caramelize each side evenly while keeping slices intact and absorbing the sauce.
- Finish with Optional Spices: In the last minute of cooking, sprinkle cinnamon or add vanilla extract to infuse a fragrant and aromatic finish to the dish.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent them from becoming mushy during cooking.
- Cooking over medium heat ensures the sugar caramelizes without burning.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to allow proper caramelization and avoid steaming the bananas.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and glossy appearance as caramel hardens upon cooling.
- Using a nonstick skillet helps prevent sticking and makes flipping easier.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: caramelized bananas, sweet banana dessert, breakfast topping, easy caramel recipe, caramelized fruit