Made with ripe bananas, butter, and brown sugar, fried caramelized bananas are a delicious treat. They are perfect for drizzling over ice cream and pancakes, or they can be enjoyed all by themselves!

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In our home, bananas are a favorite! Whether it’s our classic Banana Bread or Chocolate Chip Banana Bars, we usually enjoy a banana treat a few times each week.

One of my favorite ways to use them is by making caramelized bananas with brown sugar and butter. This simple recipe is perfect for the kids to help with, and it can be used in endless delicious ways!

Why I love this recipe

It’s so easy to make with just a few ingredients I already have on hand.
The bananas develop a rich, caramelized flavor in minutes.
I can use it as a topping for so many things—pancakes, ice cream, oatmeal—you name it!
It’s a great way to use up bananas before they go too ripe.

What type of bananas are best for caramelizing

Use bananas that are just ripe, with yellow peels and few brown spots. Overripe bananas can turn mushy when cooked. It is not recommended to use overripe bananas for caramelizing as they can become too mushy. Use bananas that are just ripe for the best texture.

Ingredients

bananas
unsalted butter
brown sugar
cinnamon, optional

Step by step

Add all ingredients to a pan over medium-low heat and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until the bananas are golden brown and caramelized.
Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired, then serve warm along with the pan sauce.

Tips for best results

Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid them getting mushy.
Don’t overcrowd the pan; give each slice some space.
Be gentle when you flip the banana slices to keep them intact.
Make sure your pan is on medium-low heat so the butter and sugar don’t burn.

Variations

For a grown-up spin, try adding a splash of rum or bourbon to the pan, similar to banana foster vibes!

You can swap brown sugar with maple syrup or honey for a change in sweetness. For some added texture, sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts once the bananas are done.

caramelized bananas on french toast on white plate

Serving suggestions

Over vanilla ice cream: The warm bananas with ice cream is a match made in heaven.
With crepes or pancakes: Add a sweet, rich topping that makes breakfast feel like dessert.
On oatmeal or yogurt with granola: A quick way to add a sweet, caramel twist to your morning bowl.
With French toast: The caramel sauce from the bananas is the perfect syrup replacement.
By themselves: Sometimes, simple is best—just eat them warm straight from the pan!

Storage

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

When you’re ready to dig in again, simply pop them in the microwave. They may lose a bit of crispiness, but they’ll still taste amazing!

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!