This easy Bananas Foster recipe (flambéed bananas) is a fun dessert that takes simple ingredients like bananas, brown sugar, and orange juice and literally lights them up! Nothing makes a dessert look more impressive than setting it aflame.
This dish showcases bananas, which are the primary ingredient with a delicious, caramel-like sauce. The bananas are also cooked with spiced rum and cinnamon to make a sweet and simple, homemade dessert. Serving it with ice cream gives it elevated sundae vibes.
The flambé process is normally performed tableside in restaurants for added drama, but you can make a date night or special dinner look super impressive using this technique at home. I've done this for my parents and they loved it!
Some more of my banana recipes include this recipe tutorial for how to make banana ice cream, spicy banana ketchup and banana bread cake pops.
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Main Ingredients
- bananas - Make sure they are ripe but not over-ripe. You want them to still have some firmness.
- brown sugar - To make the deep, caramel sauce.
- orange juice - Freshly squeezed (keep 1 slice of the orange peel).
- ground cinnamon - This warm spice is a must in Bananas Foster.
- spiced rum - This is necessary to flambé the dish.
- vanilla ice cream - to serve with the bananas
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
How to Make Easy Bananas Foster
Step 1. Slice the bananas. Slice the bananas in half lengthwise.
Step 2. Melt butter. Heat an electric skillet to 375ºF (or medium heat in a regular frying pan). Melt the butter in the skillet. Add the brown sugar and orange peel and mix it into the butter.
Step 3. Cook the bananas. Add the bananas and cook them until golden on both sides.
Step 4. Add orange juice. Add the orange juice and sprinkle the bananas with cinnamon. Stir and cook for 2 more minutes.
Step 5. Flambé the bananas. When the sauce is really hot, add the rum immediately but carefully - if it’s hot enough, it will burn by itself. If this doesn’t happen, you will have to use long matches or a kitchen lighter and very carefully light the rum from the edge of the skillet.
Step 6. Serve. Discard the orange peel. Serve the Bananas Foster warm with ice cream.
Chef's Note: Be sure to have a lighter on hand because the flambé step has to be done immediately after adding the rum.
Flambé Safety Tips
On a personal note, this is the first ever recipe that I successfully flambéed and it helped me get over my fear of working so closely with fire. Your first time can be exhilarating! However, you need to keep it safe.
- Always use extreme caution when attempting to flambé.
- Make sure the electric skillet is in an open space.
- Keep your body separated from the skillet.
- Tie hair back and do not wear loose clothing.
- Never have your face over the pan.
- Do not pour the liquor directly out of the bottle. Transfer the correct amount to a measuring glass first.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Serving Suggestions
Vanilla ice cream is a classic accompaniment to Bananas Foster, but there are other ways to enjoy these caramelized bananas:
- If you want something with a creamy taste but less heavy than ice cream, whipped cream is a subtly sweet, lighter substitute.
- For a more textured dish, I recommend candied or toasted nuts, like walnuts or pralines.
- Baked goods are a great addition to this recipe, like pancakes, banana pancake bread, crepes or cakes. I also recommend waffles because they are sturdy and their pockets can hold the extra sauce.
Storage
- This flambéed banana recipe is freezable in an airtight container for up to a month. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the electric skillet.
- It can also be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, but these bananas are better enjoyed immediately.
Easy Bananas Foster FAQs
Bananas Foster is a classic dessert made from bananas and a caramel sauce. It's famous for its dramatic preparation, usually done right at the table. The rum is set on fire to flambé the sauce adding a rich, caramelized flavor and a touch of spectacle.
In New Orleans.
Any quality spiced rum (with at least 40% alcohol) would work great for this recipe including The Kraken, Chairman’s Reserve Rum, Sailor Jerry etc.
It has a rich, sweet, warm, caramelized flavor that is elevated from the fire. With vanilla ice cream, it’s a delicious mix of warm, gooey sauce and cool, creamy ice cream that’s irresistible!
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📋Recipe
Easy Bananas Foster (Flambéed Bananas)
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ cup orange juice - and 1 slice of the orange peel
- ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup spiced rum
- vanilla ice cream - optional
Instructions
- Slice the bananas in half lengthwise.4 ripe bananas
- Heat an electric skillet to 375ºF (or medium heat in a regular frying pan). Melt the butter in the skillet.¼ cup butter
- Add the brown sugar and orange peel and mix it into the butter. Add the bananas and cook them until golden on both sides.3 tablespoons brown sugar
- Add the orange juice and sprinkle the bananas with cinnamon. Stir and cook for 2 more minutes.½ cup orange juice
- To flambé: When the sauce is really hot, add the rum immediately but carefully (do not add it straight from the bottle) - if it’s hot enough, it will burn by itself. If this doesn’t happen, you will have to use long matches or a kitchen lighter and very carefully light the rum from the edge of the skillet. Have the lighter on hand because this has to be done immediately after adding the rum.⅓ cup spiced rum
- Discard the orange peel. Serve warm with ice cream.
Equipment
Notes
- Flambé Safety: Always use extreme caution when attempting to flambé. Make sure the electric skillet is in an open space, keep your body separated from the skillet, tie hair back, never have your face over the pan and do not pour the liquor directly out of the bottle. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Banana Ripeness: Make sure the bananas are ripe but not over-ripe.
- Freezer Storage: The flambéed bananas are freezable in an airtight container for up to a month. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the electric skillet.
- Fridge Storage: It can also be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, but these bananas are better enjoyed immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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