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Paleo Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas are a dessert, breakfast, snack, condiment, side dish — whatever you want them to be, because: They’re delicious and so versatile. Plus, they’re easy to make (we always have bananas on hand) and affordable. Enjoy this easy caramelized treat, and make it for those you love, too.
This recipe is Gluten-free, Paleo, AIP, Vegan and VAD-friendly.
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Pan Fried Bananas have crispy edges. They’re a tiny bit chewy from caramelized sugar in places, and soft as well.
I think they look a little bit oily, but they don’t taste that way. They just melt in your mouth with pleasure.
Personally, I don’t eat a lot of bananas. But when I tasted this dessert, I couldn’t stop taking bites, with ice cream and without. This dessert is phenomenally over the top delicious, even though it’s so simple.
So eat Pan Fried Bananas all by themselves, or eat them with ice cream. You will be so happy.
Below, I share more great serving suggestions as well.
Ingredients in Pan Fried Bananas
- bananas (slightly overripe)
- oil of choice: coconut, avocado or olive; okay to use butter if tolerated (not AIP)
- maple sugar (This one is the best, and the bulk bin is a good value. We order this product with autoship because it gets used often, and we all love it so much.) — If you can’t get maple sugar, cane sugar will work also (not AIP), and probably coconut sugar would work, but it will cook up darker and be a little less sweet.
- cinnamon — For VAD, replace with spice mixture: 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder + small pinch of cloves.
How to make Pan Fried Bananas
- Slice bananas into rounds or at a slight diagonal, approximately 1/2 inch thick.
- In a small bowl, combine the maple sugar and cinnamon, or optional ginger alternative (for VAD or if preferred).
- Heat skillet over medium high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add oil and swirl to coat the pan. Reduce heat to medium low. Add slices of banana.
- Use your fingers to sprinkle the cinnamon mixture on top. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flip the rounds. I like to use a spatula in one hand and a fork in the other. If any stick to the pan, just peel up gently.
- Sprinkle remaining cinnamon mixture on second sides. Cook for 3 to 4 more minutes until the bananas are browned and caramelized in places.
- Serve plain or with toppings or on top of other treat.
What to serve with Pan Fried Bananas
Eat banana slices warm, or cooled, plain, or topped with ice cream or whipped cream.
Use Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas as a topping for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, granola, oatmeal, ice cream, cakes and more.
They compliment just about anything you’d like bananas or homemade caramel with: for breakfast, brunch, desserts and more.
Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas (Paleo, AIP, Vegan, Gluten-free)
Equipment
- skillet -- I use a stainless steel frying pan. If you happen to use non-stick, you will not need as much oil as the recipe calls for.
- small mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 bananas slightly overripe
- 2 Tablespoons oil of choice: coconut, avocado or olive; okay to use butter if tolerated (not AIP)
- 2 Tablespoons maple sugar
- β to ΒΌ teaspoon cinnamon depending on preference -- For VAD, replace with spice mixture: β teaspoon ginger + small pinch of cloves.
Instructions
- Slice bananas into rounds or at a slight diagonal, approximately β " to Β½" thick.
- In a small bowl, combine the maple sugar and cinnamon, or optional ginger alternative.
- Heat skillet over medium high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add 1 Tablespoon oil and swirl to coat the pan. Reduce heat to medium low. Add slices of one banana (unless you have a large enough pan that both bananas will fit).
- Use your fingers to sprinkle a quarter of the cinnamon mixture on top of each banana slice (or half the cinnamon if you have the larger pan and fit both bananas). Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flip the rounds. I like to use a spatula in one hand and a fork in the other. If any stick to the pan, just peel up gently. Sprinkle another quarter of the cinnamon mixture on second sides or remaining cinnamon mixture if you fit both bananas in one pan. Cook for 3 to 4 more minutes until the bananas are browned and caramelized in places.
- Repeat with second banana: If necessary, clean pan between batches, dry, then heat and add oil as in Step 3. (If the pan is extra "dirty" with good caramelized sugar, you may also add a bit of cream/milk of choice, scraping up any bits, and simmer briefly over low heat. This will de-glaze the pan and create a casual caramel that can accompany your bananas.)
- Eat banana slices warm, or cooled, plain, or topped with ice cream or whipped cream. You may also use Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas as a topping for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, granola, oatmeal, ice cream, cakes and more. They compliment just about anything where you'd like bananas or homemade caramel: for breakfast, brunch, desserts and more.
Nutrition
You can Pin this recipe here:
More simple dessert toppings
- Strawberry Topping/Sauce
- Chocolate Ganache or AIP Chocolate Ganache (made with carob)
- Easy Caramel Sauce
Ice Creams to serve with Pan Fried Bananas
- Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream
- 4-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Ice Cream (with AIP version)
- Paleo Cinnamon Ice Cream
- Easy Chai Ice Cream
- Spicy Ginger Ice Cream
Serving suggestion
If you’re feeling inspired, make both the Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Creams linked to just above: Layer them in a loaf pan when freezing.
First freeze in ice cream maker one, and pack it in; chill in freezer. Then make the other in ice cream maker, and layer it in. Chill again, and then scoop deeply when serving for the ice cream swirl you see in the photos. This flavor combo is SO delicious with Pan Fried Bananas.
Any of the ice cream recipes listed above would be incredible with Pan Fried Bananas.
Felicia Maria Mattox says
I wonder how this would work with frozen bananas? I have a bunch in my freezer.
Megan says
I’m sorry; I don’t think it will work because they tend to get watery when frozen and then defrosted/cooked.
Felicia Maria Mattox says
Ah ok good point. Thanks for responding!
Megan says
Happy to help. π