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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Dessert

    Updated: Jan 21, 2025 · Published: Sep 13, 2023 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Easy Bananas Foster (Flambéed Bananas)

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    Bananas foster flambeed in pan and in plate with ice cream. With text overlay that says 'Easy Bananas Foster'.
    Bananas Foster with ice cream on black plate with text overlay that says 'Homemade Bananas Foster'.

    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.

    Bananas Foster with ice cream and spoon on black plate.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Main Ingredients
    • How to Make Easy Bananas Foster
    • Flambé Safety Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Easy Bananas Foster FAQs
    • ❤️ More Electric Skillet Recipes You Will Love
    • 📋Recipe

    Main Ingredients

    Bananas Foster ingredients labeled.
    • 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

    Sliced bananas on cutting board.

    Step 1. Slice the bananas. Slice the bananas in half lengthwise.

    Brown sugar, butter and orange peel in electric skillet.

    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.

    Sliced bananas in brown sugar sauce in skillet.

    Step 3. Cook the bananas. Add the bananas and cook them until golden on both sides.

    Caramelized bananas in skillet.

    Step 4. Add orange juice. Add the orange juice and sprinkle the bananas with cinnamon. Stir and cook for 2 more minutes.

    Bananas getting flambeed with fire in skillet.

    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.

    Bananas Foster (flambeed bananas) on black plate with spoon and ice cream.

    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

    What is Bananas Foster?

    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.

    Where was it invented?

    In New Orleans.

    What is the best rum to use?

    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.

    What does it taste like?

    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!

    Bananas Foster on plate.

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    If you tried this 🍌 Easy Bananas Foster Recipe (Flambéed Bananas) or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Bananas Foster on black plate with ice cream.

    Easy Bananas Foster (Flambéed Bananas)

    Joss Dyckson
    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!
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 6 minutes mins
    Total Time 16 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 301 kcal

    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

    • Electric Skillet

    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

    Calories: 301kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.4mg

    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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