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    Home » Recipes » Cajun-Creole

    April 15, 2021

    New Orleans Bananas Foster

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    New Orleans Bananas Foster is an iconic New Orleans classic dessert packed with warm bananas, cinnamon, rum, and brown sugar. I will show you how we do it in the Big Easy!

    Here are more classic New Orleans desserts: King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling,Classic Beignets, Fried Apple Pies, Praline Candy, Cherry Jubilee, and New Orleans Bread Pudding.

    Bananas Foster1

    Latest Recipe Video:

    Jump to:
    • Latest Recipe Video:
    • Key Ingredients
    • How Do You Make Bananas Foster Recipe
    • How To Store Bananas Foster
    • Bananas Foster Cooking Tips:
    • FAQ
    • More Banana Recipes
    • Before You Begin
    • 📖 Recipe

    Growing up in the 504 (New Orleans, Louisiana), we have a lot of delicious desserts, and bananas foster is one for many delicious reasons.

    We were a major port for bananas coming from Central and South America. We always had an abundance of bananas in the city, and it only took one talented chef to create something memorable.

    I remember the first time I had bananas foster from Brennan's, it was at a charity event I was catering, and those guys had this down to a science. They had two giant skillets full of banana foster sauce and several packets of perfectly portioned vanilla ice cream; I must've gone in that line 5 times that night.

    Making it in culinary school was one thing, but tasting it from the creators hits on a whole different level. That's when I started adapting my bananas foster recipe to bring the most flavor possible whenever I made this classic dessert.

    So this recipe is 15 years old, and it took me a while to make sure I roasted the bananas properly without overcooking them so they still had a great texture once served. This is that recipe.

    You can make this sauce and serve it over pancakes, waffles, french toast, bread pudding, or cake. Let your imagination run wild.

    Key Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients for outstanding bananas foster at home.

    Bananas

    The best bananas for this are ones that have a few brown spots. They'll have a more natural sweetness and still be firm enough to cook. A classic bananas foster uses sliced bananas (halved lengthwise), but if you're making them for a large crowd, use sliced bananas.

    Brown Sugar

    I love dark brown sugar because of the depth of flavor it gives with the warm spices.

    Cinnamon

    Ground cinnamon will add flavor but also help with the presentation while the bananas flambé. I also like to add some nutmeg for more flavor.

    Banana Liqueur

    This is the secret ingredient that folks outside of New Orleans always leave out. It's packed with banana flavor.

    Unsalted Butter

    As the butter cooks with the sauce, it'll add a glorious nutty flavor.

    Dark Rum

    My go-to is spiced rum because the molasses flavor pairs exceptionally well with the brown sugar and ground cinnamon.

    Vanilla Ice Cream

    Until now, vanilla ice cream is traditionally paired with bananas foster sauce.

    Bananas Foster in a skillet no vanilla ice cream

    How Do You Make Bananas Foster Recipe

    A banana foster recipe is straightforward and should only take about 3 minutes. You only need the confidence to ignite the flame after you add the rum and banana liqueur. Using a long match or a long lighter will reduce any fear.

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat; melt the unsalted butter, then add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar is melted. Add the sliced bananas, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg.

    Bananas Foster Flambe

    Pour in the spiced rum and banana liquor, shake the pan, and with a long handle lighter, flambé the sauce. Baste the bananas with flaming sauce until the flames burn out.

    Add vanilla ice cream to a bowl, spoon cooked bananas over top, and serve immediately.

    Bananas Foster with vanilla ice cream

    How To Store Bananas Foster

    Bananas foster is best eaten immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 2 days.

    Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until the sauce melts and is heated through.

    Bananas Foster Cooking Tips:

    Here are a few tips and substitutions for making this classic New Orleans dessert at home.

    • If you feel uncomfortable flambéing the dessert, cook until the mixture reaches a low boil. This will help evaporate the alcohol.
    • Use firm bananas with a few brown spots for the best flavor. However, use any leftover bananas that may be about to go past your desired degree of ripeness.
    • You can use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar.
    • Feel free to use a white or dark rum instead of a spiced rum.
    • Still, make the recipe if you do not have the banana liqueur.
    • Make an alcohol free bananas foster by using rum extract and vanilla extract.
    • If you only have salted butter at home, use it instead of unsalted butter, and omit the salt from the recipe.
    • The higher the alcohol content, the large the flame will be once ignited, so find one that's only 40%.
    • Since this is a flambéed dish, please keep an updated fire extinguisher nearby. If a flame gets out of control, remain calm and suffocate it by covering it with a baking sheet large enough to cover the skillet.
    • Here's my recipe for an incredible homemade vanilla ice cream without an ice cream machine.

    FAQ

    Here are the top questions readers have about making banana foster at home.

    What is bananas foster?

    Bananas Foster is a dessert made by sautéing bananas in brown sugar, cinnamon, and rum and served warm over vanilla ice cream.

    Where did bananas foster originate?

    Bananas Foster was created in the 1950s by Chef Paul in New Orleans to honor the New Orleans Crime Commission chairman, Richard Foster, who was in charge of cleaning up the French Quarter. Still, you can get the dish prepared tableside at any Brennan's restaurant.

    Why do you flambé?

    Flambé is a technique used to burn off the alcohol of a dish while maintaining liquor and liqueur flavors. The best alcohols for flambéing are liquors and liqueurs with high alcohol content (80-120 proof)—cognac, dark rum, triple sec, Cointreau, brandy, bourbon, whisky, and kirsch.
     
    4 Flambéing Tips:
    1. Use a liquor or liqueur with high alcohol content. You need to use one that has 80-120 proof.
    2. Use a large skillet. Your skillet must be large enough to hold your ingredients and handle high heat. Stainless steel and cast iron are best.
    3. Light quickly. If you wait too long, your food will absorb more liquor than desired.
    4. Use a long handle lighter or a long handle match. When flambéing, you want to be safe. A long-handle lighter or long-handle match will give you a safe distance when igniting the alcohol. If the fire gets too large, use a lid large enough to cover the skillet and suffocate the fire.

    Bananas Foster in a skillet being Flambeéd

    What is the difference between banana flambé and banana foster?

    Banana flambé and bananas foster are both delicious desserts that involve the technique of flambeing. Banana flambé is the culinary term for any banana dish ignited with alcohol. 
     
    Bananas foster is a specific dessert where you caramelize bananas in a sauce made from dark rum, banana liqueur, cinnamon, and butter set on fire, including vanilla ice cream.

    What is the alcohol content of Bananas Foster?

    Rum and banana liqueur are the alcohols used to make bananas foster. Rums range between 80-120 proof. Depending on the rum used, the alcohol content will vary between 40%-100%. However, 100% of it will burn off as the dish is flambéed.

    More Banana Recipes

    These recipes should help you use any leftover bananas.

    • Chocolate Banana Pudding
    • Vanilla Banana Pudding
    • Bananas Foster Eggrolls
    • Buttermilk Banana Pancakes
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    Before You Begin

    Here are my steps for getting organized before I start anything.

    Step 1: Get all ingredients for the bananas foster sauce on the counter.

    Step 2: Measure everything out into individual bowls.

    Step 3: Start following the recipe and get ready for the best bananas foster you’ve ever enjoyed at home.

    Bananas Foster is perfect for any occasion. It'll quickly become a family favorite because it is easy to prepare, and everyone loves the flaming presentation. This recipe is simple and easy to follow, but it is packed with a lot of flavor. I hope you enjoy it!

    Click here to subscribe to MY Weekly Recipes for easy and free recipes right into your inbox! 

    To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the Pin button on the recipe card, the sharing buttons above or below this post, or any of the photos above. 

    Tag me @kennethtemple_ and use #LezEat on Instagram to share your remakes with me, and don't forget to leave a star rating and comment below. 

    📖 Recipe

    Bananas Foster in a skillet with vanilla ice cream

    New Orleans Bananas Foster

    Kenneth Temple
    New Orleans Bananas Foster is an iconic New Orleans classic dessert packed with warm bananas, cinnamon, rum, and brown sugar. I will show you how we do it in the Big Easy!
    4.60 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
    Cuisine American, Cajun, Creole
    Servings 4 persons
    Calories 337 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • ½ cup dark brown sugar
    • 4 medium bananas peeled, sliced lengthwise
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ cup spiced rum
    • ¼ cup banana liqueur
    • pint vanilla ice cream

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, and add the dark brown sugar; stir until sugar is melted. Addthe bananas, and cook for 1 minute on each side. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
    • Pour in the spiced rum and banana liquor, shake the pan, and with a long handle lighter, flambé the sauce. Baste the bananas with flaming sauce until flame dies out.
    • Evenly divide ice cream amongst 4 bowls or plates and pour hot bananas foster over ice cream.

    Notes

    Storage
    Bananas foster is best eaten immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 2 days.
    Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until the sauce melts and is heated through.
    Bananas Foster Cooking Tips:
    Here are a few tips and substitutions for making this classic New Orleans dessert at home.
    • If you feel uncomfortable flambéing the dessert, cook until the mixture reaches a low boil. This will help evaporate the alcohol.
    • Use firm bananas with a few brown spots for the best flavor. However, use any leftover bananas that may be about to go past your desired degree of ripeness.
    • You can use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar.
    • Feel free to use a white or dark rum instead of a spiced rum.
    • Still, make the recipe if you do not have the banana liqueur.
    • Make an alcohol free bananas foster by using rum extract and vanilla extract.
    • If you only have salted butter at home, use it instead of unsalted butter, and omit the salt from the recipe.
    • The higher the alcohol content, the large the flame will be once ignited, so find one that's only 40%.
    • Since this is a flambéed dish, please keep an updated fire extinguisher nearby. If a flame gets out of control, remain calm and suffocate it by covering it with a baking sheet large enough to cover the skillet.
    • Here's my recipe for an incredible homemade vanilla ice cream without an ice cream machine.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 155mgPotassium: 463mgFiber: 3gSugar: 47gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword bananas foster, bananas foster recipe, banana foster, banana foster recipe, banana foster recipes
    Cooked this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.60 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Beth says

      September 18, 2022 at 11:30 am

      5 stars
      Best 🍌Foster recipe out there! 👍👍👍

      Reply
    2. bruce mcgee says

      December 05, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe, I like to live dangerously. I'm trying to make a Banana Pudding with Banana's Foster in lieu of regular bananas. Do you think it will work
      Would you go with a traditional vanilla wafer or graham crackers? I think I would prefer Amaretto over spiced Rum.

      Reply
      • Kenneth Temple says

        January 03, 2023 at 1:18 pm

        Hey! I would say look over my banana pudding recipe for the swaps. The bananas foster may be too soft, but if you cut them lengthwise and place them in the pudding, it'll work. I like vanilla wafers and using Amaretto will give it a totally different flavor, BUT you like living dangerously, so I'm here for you playing with your food.

        Reply
    3. Pat Ashley says

      February 24, 2023 at 7:08 pm

      Made your recipe tonight on a whim. Didn’t have any rum or banana liquor but I did have Fireball. And it worked great since the recipe calls for cinnamon anyway. Was Delish!

      Reply
      • Kenneth Temple says

        March 02, 2023 at 4:00 pm

        Success!

        Reply
    4. K Sparks says

      October 01, 2023 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      wow this was delicious! the first attempt at it did not go well as i had the heat a bit to high and the alcohol must of evaporated too soon and was not able to get a flambé.

      I tried again with lower heat and everything went much smoother. The result was such a unique buttery banana lively taste. absolutely delicious. thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Kenneth Temple says

        October 03, 2023 at 9:11 pm

        Hey K! Love to hear it! I hope you add it to your recipe rotation.

        Reply
    5. Leah says

      March 02, 2025 at 7:48 am

      3 stars
      Hello! Love the tenderness of the bananas and I was excited to see the amount of rum and the mix of spices however the butter overwhelmed the dish...took a minute to get thick as well.

      Reply
      • Kenneth Temple says

        March 05, 2025 at 11:13 am

        Hi Leah! Thanks for your feedback, the sauce is not suppose to be thick but saucy. I hope you give it another try. Thanks!

        Reply

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