Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas (Printable)

Golden, caramelized banana slices with warm cinnamon and brown sugar—a quick 10-minute treat for any time of day.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 2 ripe but firm bananas, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds

→ Spices & Sweeteners

02 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
03 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed

→ Fats

04 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Optional Toppings

05 - 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecans
06 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup for drizzling
07 - Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Peel the bananas and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds. For best results, select bananas that are ripe but still firm to prevent mushiness during cooking.
02 - Combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, stirring until evenly blended.
03 - Place a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely until foamy, ensuring even coverage of the pan surface.
04 - Arrange the banana slices in a single layer without overcrowding. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top of each banana slice.
05 - Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until the undersides develop a deep golden color and the sugars begin to caramelize.
06 - Using a spatula, gently flip each banana slice. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the second side is golden and caramelized.
07 - Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking. Serve warm with optional toppings such as chopped nuts, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, or a scoop of Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Ready in ten minutes but tastes like a restaurant dessert
  • The caramelized edges create an incredible texture contrast
  • Uses ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen
02 -
  • Slightly underripe bananas are your friend here because they maintain texture better than very soft ones
  • Do not crowd the pan or the bananas will steam instead of getting those lovely caramelized edges
  • Work quickly once the butter melts because the sugar can burn if left too long
03 -
  • Keep the heat at medium to prevent the butter from burning before the bananas are done
  • Use a really good nonstick pan or these will stick and break apart when you flip them

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