If you’re a fan of the famous NOLA dessert, Bananas Foster, you’ll definitely want to try this easy Caramelized Bananas recipe!

What is usually thought of as a fancy restaurant dessert can be toned down slightly, yet still make your tastebuds do the happy dance.

By eliminating the alcohol and flames, you can whip up these Caramelized Bananas from start to finish in under 10 minutes. No muss, no fuss—and no fire extinguisher needed.

They’re a yummy dessert or the perfect topping.

Caramelized Bananas Ingredients and Substitutions

It doesn’t get much easier: This delicious recipe has just four ingredients!

Bananas

Choose tender bananas over firm. Ideally, they should be very ripe—no green bananas. You can use overripe bananas, but not rotten. Slightly bruised (a few black spots) and soft is fine, but not mushy. Cut off any brown areas.

I like to slice my bananas in long halves, but if you prefer your banana sliced in rounds, go for it.

Brown Sugar

Dark brown sugar is best, but light brown sugar is a close runner-up. If you substitute white sugar, the sauce will still caramelize and turn golden brown, but it will taste lighter and less complex.

Salted Butter

I appreciate the hint of salt from the butter in conjunction with the sweet sugar, but if you’re watching your salt, unsalted butter is just fine.

Cinnamon

If you dislike cinnamon, I wouldn’t substitute for it; just omit it from your ingredient list.

Caramelized Bananas Recipe

Serves: 3–6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons salted butter
¼ cup dark brown sugar  
¼ tsp ground cinnamon  
3 ripe bananas, sliced lengthwise and halved

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. (A nonstick pan is best.)

2. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon, then stir continuously until a caramel syrup forms.

3. Place bananas in a single layer flat side down and cook for about a minute on each side. Keep a close watch on the syrup; if it starts bubbling too quickly, switch to medium-low heat.

4. When both sides are cooked and coated, remove from heat and serve.

Serving Caramelized Bananas

Of course, you can enjoy caramel bananas all by themselves in a small bowl, but here are some additional ways to enjoy them.

Ice Cream

A scoop of ice cream (or 2 or 3) turns this treat into a restaurant-quality dessert. Spoon bananas on top of ice cream, or layer the ice cream atop the bananas, adding a drizzle of caramel sauce. Let’s face it, with this combo, you can’t go wrong.

The best ice cream pairing will not overpower the bananas. I prefer relatively simple flavors like vanilla, caramel, peanut butter, or chocolate.

BTW, we have the best ice cream quotes for your photos!

Yogurt

If you’re trying to make this a healthy snack, try Greek yogurt with your bananas instead of ice cream.

French Toast, Pancakes, & Waffles

Skip the maple syrup and kick up your breakfast with Caramelized Bananas. They’re also the perfect topping for french toast casseroles like this Maple Pecan French Toast Casserole.

Oatmeal

If brown sugar and raisins are an acceptable oatmeal topping, brown sugar and bananas are even better. Try some on top of this creamy Ricotta Oatmeal!