New Orleans Bananas Foster

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

More Banana Recipes

These recipes should help you use any leftover bananas.

• Chocolate Banana Pudding
• Vanilla Banana Pudding
• Bananas Foster Eggrolls
• Buttermilk Banana Pancakes

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!

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📖 Recipe

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

  

1x2x3x

• 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

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