Our take on bananas Foster is a mouthwatering symphony of caramel, cinnamon, and sweet banana flavors. Add in the rum for extra spice, or leave it out!
What Is Bananas Foster?
Bananas Foster is a dessert consisting of sliced bananas cooked in a “caramel” sauce, then ladled over vanilla ice cream. Often, dark rum is added to the sauce and flambéed (ignited) to burn off the alcohol, leaving behind a subtle smoky flavor. This decadent dish was created in New Orleans in the early 1950s to honor Richard Foster, a well-known chairman of a crime committee. Bananas Foster not only impresses a crowd, it proves that bananas can be “jazzed up” to make the most delicious dessert.
Bananas Foster Video
How To Make Bananas Foster
Although bananas Foster looks and tastes so impressive, it only takes 15 minutes to get on the table. Make the sauce, cook the bananas, and serve!
- Prep the bananas: Peel and slice the bananas.
- Make the sauce: Add the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and rum to a large skillet. Bring the mixture to a slow boil over medium heat.
- Cook the bananas: Add the sliced bananas and cook until they are just softened.
- Serve over ice cream: Spoon the cooked bananas and sauce over vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Hot tip: Craving a crunch? Nothing pairs better with bananas Foster than chopped toasted walnuts or pecans.
Tips for the Best Bananas Foster
This bananas Foster recipe is undeniably easy — no fancy ingredients or techniques here! If you want even more assurance, check out these tips, take a deep breath, and relax.
- Prep the ingredients before cooking. This dish moves “foster” than you think — prep and portion out the ingredients before turning on the heat for a stress-free experience.
- Use firm bananas. Opt for just-ripened bananas that will hold up through cooking. Save the overripe bananas for banana bread!
- Slice the bananas carefully. Traditional bananas Foster is made with bananas sliced in half lengthwise, but feel free to use smaller pieces if you prefer. Whatever you do, avoid slicing the bananas too thinly. The slices become more delicate as they cook, which can lead to a mushy texture.
- Add a splash of rum. Dark rum is our go-to choice… smoky, sweet, and caramelly. For even more banana flavor, add a dash of banana liqueur. If you’re looking for an alcohol-free version, add two tablespoons of rum extract instead.
- Flambé the sauce (optional). When you order bananas Foster at a restaurant, it is typically lit on fire tableside. The flames rapidly burn off most of the alcohol, leaving behind a subtle caramelized flavor without the sharp taste of alcohol. To recreate this at home, use a long-reach lighter or blowtorch ignite the sauce as soon as you add the rum — and be careful!
Storage & Reheating
Do you have leftover bananas Foster that you want to savor for a bit longer? Follow this guide to get the most out of this New Orleans classic.
- Storage: Bananas Foster is best enjoyed fresh, but it stays good for up to two days in the refrigerator. Leave the rum out and store the mixture in an airtight container, then add the alcohol when reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the bananas and sauce in a pan over medium heat. Once sizzling, add in the rum if desired, then ladle the mixture over ice cream.
More Banana Recipes
- Banana Bread — Tender, perfectly sweet, and topped with walnuts
- Banana Pancakes — Fluffy with no added sugar!
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies — Easy snack made with only three ingredients
- Chocolate Nutella Banana Cake — Moist, rich, and addicting
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp dark rum optional
- Vanilla Ice Cream for serving
Instructions
- Peel and slice the bananas to your desired size. Set aside.
- Set a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and rum. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the sliced bananas to the skillet and arrange in a single layer. Cook just until both sides of the banana slices are softened, about 2 minutes.
- Serve the bananas foster immediately over scoops of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
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