Delicious Deep Fried Bananas (Battered, Sweet & Crispy)

Combining the natural sweetness of bananas with the irresistible crunch of a golden-brown coating, Deep Fried Bananas is a fun and delicious way to enjoy bananas.

Deep Fried Bananas

Y’all— if you’ve never had deep fried bananas you are missing out!

I love bananas, no matter how their served! Caramelized bananas, Banana Pudding Cheesecake, peanut butter toast topped with bananas, or even my Banana and Mayo Sandwich (yes, I said mayo, just try it!)

You should also try my Dulce De Leche Banana Bread (if you love the combination of sweet + bananas!).

But fried bananas take it to a whole new level!

Using just a handful of ingredients, including bananas, pancake batter, cinnamon, sugar, and oil for frying, my recipe for Deep Fried Bananas takes this fruit to a whole new level.

The bananas, sliced into bite-sized pieces and enveloped in a light, airy batter have a crispy exterior that gives way to a tender, sweet banana inside.

A final toss in cinnamon and sugar adds a layer of sweet spice that makes each bite even more irresistible.

These deep-fried bananas remind me of fair foods or a delicious street food you might find at an outdoor festival.

This easy recipe makes a nice, sweet side dish, but it also lends itself to a wonderful stand-alone dessert!

Why You’ll Love My Deep Fried Bananas Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This deep fried bananas recipe is super easy and quick to make.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need a few basic ingredients like bananas, pancake batter, cinnamon, and sugar (plus oil for frying).
• Kid-Friendly: Kids love the sweet taste of bananas, and when they’re coated in a crispy, cinnamon-sugar shell, it’s even better!
• Perfect for Entertaining: Impress your guests with this unique and tasty dessert. It’s a fun alternative to traditional sweets and is sure to spark conversation.

Ingredients for Deep Fried Bananas

For this simple dessert, you need following ingredients:

• Pancake Batter: This serves as the coating for the bananas, giving them a beautiful crispiness once fried. For those looking to add a bit more flavor to the batter, consider adding some vanilla extract or cinnamon.
• Banana: Take a look at the picture of ripe bananas down below to choose the best ripeness.
• Sugar: This ingredient is used to sprinkle over the fried bananas, adding a sweet touch. You can use regular white sugar, or for a deeper flavor, opt for brown sugar. Even coconut sugar would taste great!
• Cinnamon: Mixing cinnamon with sugar creates a cinnamon sugar mixture that adds a warm, spiced flavor to the bananas. It complements the sweetness of the bananas beautifully.
• Oil for Frying: Canola oil is commonly used for its neutral flavor, but coconut oil is a great substitute and will add a nice hint of coconut flavor. Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve the golden-brown goodness of deep fried bananas.

How to Choose the Ripeness of Bananas

For best results, choose bananas with just a few or no brown spots. These bananas are at the perfect stage of ripeness for frying. They are sweet bananas but still firm, allowing them to hold their shape and not become mushy when exposed to hot oil.

If you use overripe bananas, expect a goopey mess!

Make sure your bananas look like one of the two circled options below:

How to Make Deep Fried Bananas

To make deep-fried bananas I prefer to use the stove and a pot, however you can also use an air fryer or a deep fryer.

1. Prepare the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan and heat to 350 degrees F. Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature.
2. Make the Batter: In a small bowl, combine pancake mix with water (or buttermilk for a richer taste) according to the box instructions for 1 cup. Adjust the batter by adding a little more water to make it slightly thinner than usual pancake batter.
3. Prep the Bananas: Slice the bananas into round, bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
4. Frying: Dip the banana slices into the batter, ensuring each piece is well coated. Carefully drop the coated bananas into the hot oil. Fry until they turn golden brown.
5. Serving: Use a slotted spoon to remove the banana fritters from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. While warm, toss them in a cinnamon sugar mixture for that sweet finish. Alternatively, you could roll them in powdered sugar or just skip the sugar and dunk them into maple syrup or enjoy with a scoop of ice cream. There are so many ways to eat them!

Air Fryer Method

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the coated banana pieces in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not touching to allow for even cooking.
3. Cook for about 10 minutes or until they are golden brown. Halfway through, you might want to flip them for even browning.

Deep Fryer Method

1. Fill your deep-fry machine with vegetable oil and heat it to 350 degrees F. Use a thermometer to make sure the oil is at the correct temperature.
2. Carefully lower the battered banana pieces into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the fryer to avoid a drop in temperature and to ensure even cooking.
3. Fry the banana pieces for a couple of minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.

Best Oil for Frying

• Vegetable Oil: This is a great option due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point, making it ideal for deep frying. It allows the sweet bananas to shine through without a greasy aftertaste.
• Coconut Oil: For a hint of tropical flavor, coconut oil is a fantastic choice. It pairs wonderfully with the bananas and pancake batter, adding a slight coconut essence to your banana fritters. It’s also a healthier option compared to other fats.
• Peanut Oil: Known for its high smoke point and ability to add a crispy texture, peanut oil is another excellent choice for frying. It works well with bananas, ensuring they cook evenly to a golden brown without absorbing too much oil.

Recipe Tips

• Select Perfect Ripeness: When making fried bananas, choosing bananas that are mostly yellow without any brown spots is key. Bananas that are too ripe will not hold up well when fried.
• Uniform Size: For the perfect texture, cut your banana slices to about 3/4-inch thickness. If they’re cut too thick, they won’t cook through properly, and if they’re too thin, they will become too soft.
• Perfect Batter: For an even coat, make sure the batter is smooth and well mixed.
• Hot Oil: When frying, ensure the oil is hot enough before adding your banana pieces coated in pancake batter. Trust me on this, you don’t want a sticky mess!
• Coconut Crunch Bananas: Mix shredded coconut into your pancake batter before coating the banana pieces.
• Serve Warm: Keep the fried banana pieces warm in an oven if serving later but they’re best enjoyed immediately.

What to Serve with Deep Fried Bananas

There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious treat! Dip a banana chunk in chocolate sauce and you’ll see what I mean.

Here are some of my favorite way to eat this great dessert:

• Drizzle some of my Salted Caramel Sauce over the deep fried bananas.
• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Dip into some Cream Cheese Frosting for an extra indulgence.
• Top French toast with your deep fried bananas – YUM!
• Serve as a garnish for my No-bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container, though they’re best enjoyed fresh. Eat within 1-2 days.

Print Pin

Deep Fried Bananas

Combining the natural sweetness of bananas with the irresistible crunch of a golden-brown coating, Deep Fried Bananas is a fun and delicious way to enjoy bananas.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 C pancake batter
• water
• 1 banana
• 1/3 C sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Oil for frying

Instructions

• Place oil into a deep pot. Heat to 350 degrees F. Check with digital thermometer.
• Mix pancake batter and the the required amount of water per package in a bowl. Add a little more water to the bowl so it's not so thick - just enough to coat the banana slice.
• Slice banana into round bite size pieces. Dip in pancake batter and fry until the outsides are golden brown.
• Strain with slotted spoon and toss into a bowl with cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve warm!