What are the ingredients for Bananas Foster Recipe?

You’ll need ripe bananas, unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum (or a substitute), vanilla extract, and vanilla ice cream. Optional: chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture.

What’s the difference between Bananas Foster and banana flambé?

Bananas Foster is a specific New Orleans dessert, made with rum, sugar, and bananas often flambéed. “Banana flambé” is a general technique (flaming bananas in alcohol). All Bananas Foster can be flambéed, but not all flambéed bananas are Bananas Foster.

Can children eat Bananas Foster?

Yes if you make an alcohol-free version. While flambéing or simmering reduces alcohol content, traces may remain. For full peace of mind, use apple juice or pineapple juice instead of rum.

What liquor is in Bananas Foster recipe?

Traditional recipes use dark rum. You can also try banana liqueur, bourbon, or even brandy depending on the flavor profile you want. For a non-alcoholic twist, fruit juices work beautifully too.

Can I make Bananas Foster ahead of time?

You can prep the sauce early, but bananas are best cooked fresh. If you must reheat, warm the sauce gently and toss in fresh bananas just before serving.

Bananas Foster Recipe Like Grandma Made (With Flair)

Ingredients

Scale

6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar (4 ounces; 113 g)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Generous pinch kosher salt
3 medium ripe but firm bananas (about 1 pound; 450 g), split in half crosswise and then lengthwise
1/4 cup (60 ml) white or aged rum
Ice cream of your choice, for serving

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Instructions

Melt Butter & Sugar:
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar and stir until fully combined and bubbling—about 2–3 minutes.
Add Cinnamon & Bananas:
Stir in cinnamon. Gently add banana slices to the pan. Cook for 1–2 minutes, spooning sauce over bananas.
Add Rum & Flambé (Optional):
Pour in rum. If flambéing, carefully ignite with a long lighter and let flame burn off. Otherwise, let the sauce simmer 1–2 minutes to cook off alcohol.
Finish the Sauce:
Stir in vanilla extract and nuts. Turn off heat.
Serve:
Spoon bananas and sauce over vanilla ice cream. Serve immediately.

Tips

Use firm bananas to avoid mushiness
For alcohol-free: sub apple juice or pineapple juice
Sauce too thin? Let it simmer longer. Too thick? Add a splash of liquid
Try pairing with Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: New Orleans / American

Nutrition

Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg