Classic New Orleans Bananas Foster Recipe

This Bananas Foster Recipe is an easy yet elegant and impressive dessert to serve any night of the week. This traditional dessert is a classic and basic recipe to have on hand.

I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but I just love being able to impress my friends and family with a surprise meal. One thing that makes this Bananas Foster recipe my go-to fancy knock-their-socks-off dessert isn’t because it tastes amazing (which it does!) but because of how easy it is.

Did you know that Banana’s Foster originated in New Orleans? It does and you will find it on a ton of menus not only in Louisiana but all over the World.

It is just that good, but I bet you never guessed it was as easy to make right at home. Literally, in under 15 minutes, you have the most sophisticated dessert around and nobody will know, just you and me!

So simple, just 6 ingredients, and you’re ready to go.

Trust me, the foster sauce is really going to make this recipe. It’ll make any night feel like a special occasion!

Melt some buttah on the stove top, add brown sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg, add ripe bananas, add alcohol of choice, and flambé! Make sure your guests watch you now because not only is this dessert but the entertainment too.

Then, let everything get bubbly and caramelized. Serve your Bananas Foster recipe over simple vanilla ice cream or dessert of your choice; simple, easy, delicious, and ready in no time!

1. A classic yet easy recipe that is sure to impress.
2. Ready in under 15 minutes.
3. A fun flambé step to entertain guests.

• Ripe bananas
• Salted butter
• Dark brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Spiced rum
• Vanilla ice cream to serve

1. Cut the bananas in half, then cut the halves in half lengthwise and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir constantly until the butter and sugars are melted and combined, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the cut bananas to the pan and coat them in the sauce.
4. Take off the heat. Add the rum and, using a torch or lighter with a long handle, VERY CAREFULLY light the rum on fire, and allow the rum to cook off fully. The flame will disappear when ready.
5. Place the skillet back on the stove and continue to cook until the bananas are soft and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 more minutes.
6. Serve the bananas with scoops of vanilla ice cream, and pour more of the sauce on top.

DO I HAVE TO USE DARK BROWN SUGAR?

No, if all you have on hand is light brown sugar, that works!

Dark brown sugar just has more molasses in it, which makes it a little richer in flavor, but you don’t have to buy it just to make this recipe.

IS THIS KID FRIENDLY?

The recipe, as written is not kid-friendly, since there is rum in it.

We do flambé the dessert and let the fire burn itself out but there still may be traces of alcohol.

I suggest adding apple juice or pineapple juice instead of the rum.

Doing this, you will have to skip the flambé step since there is nothing to light on fire now.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BANANAS FOSTER?

We love to keep it simple most of the time and serve it over vanilla ice cream, but here are some other options.

• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French Toast
• Pound Cake
• Cheesecake
• Bread Pudding
• Crepes

CAN I USE BOURBON IN PLACE OF RUM?

Yes, technically, you can use any alcohol in place of rum that you want.

Bourbon and rum are the two classics to use.

We use spiced rum to give the overall dessert a little extra flavor.

ANY ADDITIONS?

This is such a simple dessert and it’s also simple to change up! Classic Bananas Foster for the win!

• Add Banana Liqueur: Enhance the banana flavor by adding a splash of banana liqueur or banana liquor along with the rum.
• Sprinkle with Chopped Nuts: Top the warm bananas with toasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch to this decadent dessert.
• Serve with Different Flavors of Vanilla Ice Cream: Try various flavors of vanilla ice cream like French vanilla or cinnamon for a unique twist.
• Include a Hint of Cinnamon: Add an extra hint of cinnamon or nutmeg on top for more warmth and spice.
• Drizzle Chocolate Sauce: For a more indulgent sweet treat, drizzle some chocolate sauce over the top of the ice cream.
• Flambé Tableside: Imitate the classic New Orleans dessert experience by performing the flambé at the table, just like at Brennan’s Restaurant in the French Quarter.
• Garnish with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream on top to make it even more decadent.
• Add Orange Zest: Sprinkle some orange zest over the dish to complement the banana flavor and add freshness.
• Include Foster Bread Pudding: Serve alongside or over a slice of foster bread pudding for a combination of two New Orleans staples.
• Use Banana Sections: Instead of slicing the bananas lengthwise, keep them as larger banana sections for a heartier dessert.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

If you want to swap some things out in your own foster recipe, you go right ahead.

• Use Dark Rum: Swap the spiced rum with dark rum for a deeper flavor that’s traditional in the iconic New Orleans dessert.
• Banana Liqueur Instead of Rum: Replace rum with banana liqueur for an even stronger banana flavor and less alcohol burn.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: Substitute the rum with apple juice or pineapple juice to make it kid-friendly, ensuring everyone can enjoy this famous dessert.
• Coconut Oil for Butter: Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option, which adds a subtle tropical flavor reminiscent of South America.
• Brown Sugar Alternatives: Replace dark brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• Use Plantains: If you can’t find ripe bananas, imported fruit like ripe plantains can be used as a substitute for a similar texture and flavor.

This recipe is best eaten immediately, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, do so in the microwave or skillet until warm.

If reheating in the skillet, add a splash of water or apple juice to loosen it up. Also, the bananas may become mushy from sitting but that is normal and should be expected.

I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Looking for that recipe that is sure to impress?

You must try this Bananas Foster Recipe at your next dinner party!

If you’ve tried this BANANAS FOSTER RECIPE, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!