In this classic Bananas Foster recipe, sliced bananas are coated in a cinnamon caramel sauce, then flambeed in rum and banana liqueur to create the sweet treat of your dreams! Did I mention it’s served over a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream?
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Y’all already know how I feel about New Orleans, and the fact that I’ve been able to visit in over a year is a dang shame. Cafe du Monde beignets and Willa Jean griddled banana bread are calling my name people! So, until I can make my official return, I’ll settle for some good ole fashioned Cajun cuisine made right in my own kitchen.
Bananas Foster is my favorite way to end a meal in New Orleans. Simple, sweet, and exciting, these buttery bananas make for the best night cap. We’ve all got a banana bunch waiting on the counter to be made into morning smoothies or just to be wasted away. This recipe is a great way to put that fruit to use!
Tonight, let’s take a trip to New Orleans and enjoy a little piece of Southern Heaven together.
Perks and Highlights of the Best Bananas Foster Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: New Orleans Nightlife
Transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of New Orleans! This dish, a sizzling symbol of Creole cuisine, marries humble bananas with luxurious spirits to birth an unforgettable dessert experience.
Primary Cooking Method: Sautéing and Flambéing
It’s showtime in your skillet with this recipe! The bananas are sautéed to golden perfection, and then the rum-induced flambé steals the spotlight, promising not just flavors, but flames!
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, High-Sugar
While it’s a vegetarian delight, the sugar and butter brigade makes it a sweet retreat. Mind the indulgence if you’re monitoring glucose intake!
Key Flavor: Caramelized Banana with a Hint of Rum
Get ready for a carnival in your mouth! The natural sweetness of bananas, the richness of buttery caramel, and a naughty kick from the rum create a symphony of flavors.
Skill Level: Intermediate
A little bit of culinary courage is needed, brave hearts! You’re playing with fire – literally. But fret not, follow the steps, and you’ll be the flamboyant flambé maestro in no time.
Special Perks:
- Dinner Party Showstopper: Impress your guests with live cooking and the dramatic flambé. The oohs and aahs are guaranteed!
- Quick Fix Luxury: In a time crunch? No problem! It’s a high-reward dessert without the all-day prep time.
- Versatility is Key: Serve it with ice cream, crepes, or eat it as is. This dish is the definition of versatile decadence.
- Memory Maker: More than just a dessert, it’s an experience that sticks with you, making special occasions even more memorable.
- Romance Inducer: The sultry dance of the flames and the shared delight of sweet, warm bananas are perfect for a date night. Love is in the air, and it smells like caramel!
What is Bananas Foster?
Bananas Foster is an American dessert made famous by Brennan’s restaurant in New Orleans. Named after Richard Foster, chairman of the New Orleans’ Crime Commission, Bananas Foster is adored worldwide for its rum-infused caramel and dazzling presentation.
In this recipe, bananas are sautéed in butter, brown sugar, and rum. The rum is often flambeed, which means it’s lit on fire to burn off the alcohol. Once the liquor has evaporated and a caramel has formed, the bananas are spooned over vanilla ice cream.
Brown Sugar- Light and dark brown sugar can both be used.
Cinnamon- The added warmth makes for a richer, earthier caramel sauce.
Nutmeg- This can be replaced with a pinch of clove or allspice, or omitted. Nutmeg adds a unique peppery flavor.
Salt- Kosher or Sea salt is great; it enhances and brightens the dish.
Light Rum- Rum gives bananas foster a traditional flavor; it can be replaced with dark rum or whiskey. If you don’t have (or can’t have) alcohol, replace it with apple, pineapple, or orange juice. You will not be able to light the juice on fire, and it will taste a bit different, but it will still be delicious.
Banana Liqueur- This is not a traditional addition to this recipe, but I find that it adds a little extra somethin’. The sweetness and banana-ey flavor is outstanding. Can’t get your hands on it? That’s okay, replace it with juice or add extra rum.
Vanilla Extract- Vanilla enhances flavor. If you’re out, try using an equal amount of maple syrup or almond extract.
How To Make Bananas Foster
Bananas Foster requires only a handful of ingredients and is incredibly easy to make! It all begins by melting the butter and brown sugar in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced bananas and cook until softened and coated in the sauce. Sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then pour in the vanilla, rum, and banana liqueur. Stir gently to combine.
What comes next is super fun, but also very dangerous. Flambeing is optional but it does cook out the alcohol and make for a deeper caramelization on the bananas. To do it, use a long lighter to carefully ignite the liquid.
Use a spoon to continually baste the bananas until the flames burn out. Serve immediately over vanilla ice cream or top with fresh whipped cream!
Favorite Banana Recipes
Going bananas for bananas? I got you. Grab a few bunches at the market and try out some of my BEST banana-riddled recipes:
- No Bake Banana Cheesecake
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake Blondie recipe
- Homemade Banana Pudding
- Banana Fritters
Bananas Foster
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 medium sized bananas peeled and sliced lengthwise into long strips
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1/4 cup light rum
- 1 tbsp banana liqueur
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add butter to a large heavy bottomed pan and melt over medium heat.Â
- Once completely melted down, whisk or stir in the brown sugar and let dissolve into the butter completely.
- Add banana slices to the sugar mixture and cook for about 2 minutes on one side then turn over and cook for 2 minutes on the other side.
- Add in cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg then finally the rum, banana liqueur and vanilla and cook until it begins to bubble.
- THIS IS OPTIONAL: Once you see it bubbling, use a long lighter and light it but be VERY CAREFUL.
- Continue basting until the flames burn out and then serve with vanilla ice cream immediately.
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We can’t get enough of this recipe! So soooo yummy!! Thank you!
Enjoyed this for dessert last night and it was incredible! The caramel sauce can’t be beat; easily, a new favorite way to enjoy bananas!
OMG, the best! Love bananas foster and this recipe is perfection. Love to serve this with ice cream. It’s a dessert that everyone always loves. Thanks for the great recipe.
This is pretty much my ideal dessert. So simple and delicious.
I LOVE bananas foster, but have always been too intimidated to try making it at home. But I am going to try this, as it sounds much easier than I thought! And I wanted to be transported to New Orleans for a night!