Welcome to The Storied Recipe, a podcast about food, culture, and love.
The inspiration for this post actually came from two storied recipes. The first is Thambuttu given to me by my podcast guest, Accamma Nanjappa, and the other is Banana and Cassava Flour Pancakes from my podcast guest, Sophie Musoki. In conjunction with their episodes, I've curated a list of the best banana desserts from around the world!
How to Use This List
- This list serves TWO purposes: First, it showcases international banana desserts. Second, it provides variations on banana desserts that aren't necessarily specific to one region, but have a global appeal.
- Though some desserts have only one country listed as the origin for the recipe (based on the country shared by the recipe's creator, I recognize that many countries share similar traditional recipes!
- At the bottom of this post, there is an FAQ section where I tried to answer all pressing banana-related questions. 🙂
- I'm positive I didn't hit all of the banana desserts that are out there so if you have a favorite recipe please let me know and I will include it in this list!
- This list has the following organizational structure: Banana Desserts by Country, Most Searched for Banana Desserts, Desserts for Each Stage of a Banana, Diet-Friendly Banana Desserts, Flavors Go Well Together in Banana Desserts, American Banana Desserts, and Desserts Using Banana Products.
Banana Desserts by Country
The list below is a great way for you to explore a new, delicious banana dessert that you can make with bananas you have at home without having to actually leave your home.
English Banoffee Pie - Culinary Ginger
English Banoffee Pie, an easy no-bake dessert. Layers of graham cracker (or digestive biscuit) crust, toffee, sliced bananas u0026 whipped cream.
Hummingbird Cake Recipe (Doctor Bird Cake) - Jerk Tavern
Hummingbird Cake is a heavenly tropical dessert that combines the flavors of bananas, pineapples, and pecans.
Banana Akaras
1808: this is the year of the first known recorded usage of the term “dough nut” in a short story. However, Washington Irving's reference to doughnuts in his History of New York a year later is usually more commonly cited as the first reference to the term. The history of the donut goes back many centuries before the discovery of the New World. In ancient Rome and Greece, strips of dough were fried and coated with honey sauce. In the Middle-Ages, Arab cooks began to bake small pieces of unsweetened yeast dough that they plunged into a sweet syrup. Donuts
Baked Banana Recipe (Akwadu) from Equatorial Guinea
Baked Bananas (Akwadu) from Equatorial Guinea is a perfect recipe for dessert! The bananas are baked with brown sugar and coconut.
Oven-Baked Bananas
Oven-baked bananas are certainly one of the iconic dishes of Gabonese cuisine. Crispy and tasty, they are traditionally eaten with dessert, as an accompaniment or just as a snack. The locals are very fond of it and do not hesitate to add brown sugar to make them even more decadent. Also, they are usually served with sour cream. What are Gabonese oven-baked bananas? Oven-baked bananas are a common dish in Africa. However, this dessert is not confined geographically to the African continent. Indeed, it is found in other parts of the world where bananas grow in abundance. This is the
Banana Cue - Foxy Folksy
Deep-fried Saba bananas coated in crisp caramelized sugar, Banana Cue is a timeless Filipino snack or dessert.
Banana Puff puff
Soft , and chewy banana puff puff made- quite tasty too!
Chek Cheung Skor
Chek cheung skor is a Khmer delicacy from Cambodia that combines banana and caramelized sugar, and that is easy and quick to prepare. Bananas, but not just any banana Banana is an extremely common fruit in Cambodia. Many varieties are grown over there, but just like apples, you can find varieties for all tastes! They differ in size, color, texture and sugar content. The most popular and best bananas are certainly the chek namva. These are medium-sized bananas with a green skin. Chek pong moan or 'chicken egg bananas' in Cambodian, have a very subtle aroma and are tiny bananas
Korean Banana Milk Recipe
Discover Korean banana milk and learn how to make it at home. It takes less than 1 minute and only uses 5 easily accessible ingredients! It tastes healthy and fresh too!
Cekodok Pisang Recipe (Malaysian Kuih Kodok Banana Donuts)
Make authentic Cekodok Pisang at home! Easy vegan recipe for Malaysian Banana Donuts. A perfect introduction to cake donut making.
Banana In Coconut Milk (Kluai Buat Chi Recipe)
This banana in coconut milk (kluai buat chi) recipe is an easy, vegan, and gluten-free Thai dessert, ready in just 20 minutes!
Tokyo Banana Cake Roll with Fresh Cream
Subtly sweet and fluffy banana cake roll inspired by Japan's iconic Tokyo Banana dessert reimagined with fresh banana whipped cream.
How to make Chinese Toffee Banana Recipe
About Chinese Toffee Banana Recipe:Chinese toffee banana is a popular street food in China. It is made by deep-frying ripe bananas and coating them in a sticky caramel sauce. The bananas become soft and sweet on the inside, while the caramel adds a crunchy and sweet coating. This dessert is often served on skewers and enjoyed as a delicious and indulgent treat.
EASY BANANA HALWA | HOW TO MAKE BANANA HALWA - Cook with Kushi
Banana Halwa Fudge is a traditional and classic, chewy u0026 flourless sweet prepared using 4 ingredients. Best recipe to try if you have overripe bananas.
Lab e Shireen - Creamy Fruit Custard – Pakistani Recipes
Lab e Shireen is a Pakistani creamy fruit custard, which has fruits, jelly cubes, cream and colorful vermicelli, all balanced in a sweet custard base.
Samoa: vegan suafa'i - Vegan Physicist
Suafa'i is a Samoan vegan dessert which can be described as banana soup or banana pudding, made with banana, coconut milk and tapioca pearls.
Fiji Banana Cake
Fiji Banana cake is a much loved treat and served at most gatherings of friends and family. Bananas are abundant and loved in Fiji.
Chocobananos
Chocobananos (singular: chocobanano) or frozen bananas are a very popular street food dessert in El Salvador. They are also called chocolate bananas because they are dipped in melted chocolate. This is a relatively easy dessert to prepare and it leaves room for creativity. Indeed, everyone is free to choose their toppings, whether it is nuts, peanuts or sprinkles. Chocobananos are the perfect snack to enjoy in summer. What are chocobananos? Frozen bananas, known as chocobananos in El Salvador, are an iconic dessert in Salvadoran street food. They are prepared by inserting a wooden stick into half bananas. These banana lollipops
Bananos Calados (Colombian-Style Fried Bananas)
Bananos Calados is an easy and quick dessert to make. It doesn't require a lot of ingredients and it's delicious served with whipped cream or ice cream on
Bolo De Banana (Spiced banana upside down cake)
Bolo de Banana Caramelada... A spriced banana upside down cake with a Brazilian twist! After trying the pineapple upside down cake last week and falling in love with it, I decided to go on
Fried Bananas
5-Ingredient Fried Bananas (Banana Empanada) is a quick and easy dish served as a side, or as a dessert with ice cream.
Banana Fritters
Delicious and sweet banana fritters with cinnamon and sugar. They are a bit different from traditional Mexican fritters but with a better flavor.
Desserts for Each Stage of a Banana
Green bananas have less sugar and more resistant starch than ripe bananas. They aren't a super common ingredient to use for desserts and are more likely to be used in savory side dishes such as green banana fries or this Samoan Green Banana dish (that looks delicious!). If you have overripe bananas in your kitchen, don't throw them out! They are super sweet and are a really great addition to your desserts. Frozen bananas also have a place in the dessert world and aren't only good for making smoothies.
Easy Banana and Chocolate Sheet Cake (Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free)
An easy-to-make green banana and chocolate cake that can also make a great ingredient for a gluten- and sugar-free tiramisu.
Jamaican Banana Rum Bread
Jamaican Banana Bread Bring the Caribbean to your house with this outstanding banana bread. The best you’ll ever eat! Here’s another goodie I found from Maria from Maria’s Mixing Bowl. She posted it on her Facebook page and when I saw it I knew I had to make it. First of all, I’m nuts for...Read More »
2-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream (SO Easy)
This is the easiest Banana Ice Cream with just two ingredients and the creamiest texture! It takes about 5 minutes with easy ways to customize it!
Chocolate Frozen Bananas (Video) - Gluesticks Blog
Chocolate frozen bananas are a classic fair treat that can easily be made at home! So perfect for summer and so delicious.
Most Searched For Banana Desserts
It's a great idea to use any extra bananas you have lying around to make an easy banana dessert such as a loaf of classic banana bread or some banana muffins. Try adding a bit of cinnamon, vanilla extract, or powdered sugar to enhance the banana flavor.
Banana Bread Recipe - Love and Lemons
This easy banana bread recipe is the BEST way to use ripe bananas! It's super moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor.
Easy Caramelized Bananas {With Cinnamon}
Quick and easy pan fried caramelized bananas recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in 15 minutes. Flavored with cinnamon, vanilla. Great on ice cream, pancakes, waffles. As always, this is a simple and delicious recipe to add to your collections. But don't stop here! I have many other great banana recipes you can try next time, including these Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas, Easy Ripe Banana Recipes (Banana Desserts), and Banana Upside Down Cake. How to make easy caramelized bananas recipe from scratch? Heat butter- In a skillet. Add in- Banana slices. Sprinkle and coat- In brown sugar, cinnamon. Cook bananas- Uncovered.
3 Ingredient Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Make a simple treat with my 3 ingredient healthy banana oat chocolate chip cookies recipe that tastes as good or better than the full recipe!
Chocolate and banana truffles (no bake) - Veggie Ideas
Chocolate and banana truffles have all the taste of traditional chocolate truffles but are made using mashed banana instead of cream.
Best Banana Pudding Trifle
Layered bananas, cookies, pudding, and fresh whipped cream come together for a show-stopping dessert that's downright heavenly!
Best Ever Banana Nut Muffins
These Best Ever Banana Nut Muffins are the BEST banana muffins you'll ever make, with a delicious and sweet walnut topping!
Caramelized Banana Upside Down Cake
Caramelized Banana Upside Down Cake brings banana bread to a whole new level. Best yet? It takes one bowl and only 1 hour to make!
Grilled Bananas - Slender Kitchen
These grilled bananas are seriously delicious and so easy to make. Top with chocolate, peanut butter, ice cream, or any other toppings for a healthy summer dessert.
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie - Mindycake - Mindy Johnson
Oreo crust filled with chocolate ganache and Nutella banana Oreo mousse. Rich, creamy and indulgent chocolate banana cream pie.
Hot banana soufflé with caramel sauce - Ben's Farm Shop
Ok, I admit this may sound a little fancy but it's so easy you’ll be both shocked and impressed, as will your loved one. Made last minute and served with warmed caramel sauce, that you made earlier, with maybe a little scoop of ice cream.
Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas
These pan fried cinnamon bananas are so easy to make they taste SO GOOD! They're amazing (seriously AMAZING) on ice cream or with pancakes or french toast.
3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
This 3-ingredient banana pancake recipe is healthy and easy to make. It's family friendly, too—babies, kids and adults love these pancakes!
Banana Bars
Healthy Banana Bars with Chocolate Chips. Moist, chewy, and easy to make. Kids love them and they are perfect for healthy desserts and snacks!
Banana Waffles
Banana Waffles are filled with fresh banana puree for a naturally sweet flavor. This kid-friendly breakfast whips up in only 15 minutes!!
Banana Creme Brulee
Easy banana creme brulee recipe made with banana, eggs, heavy cream, pure vanilla extract, and sugar. Perfect for date-night at home.
Diet-Friendly Banana Desserts
If you are looking for a more healthy dessert but still want to make your favorite banana recipes, below are a few recipes that are vegan, keto-friendly, and/or gluten-free. In many of the recipes, they swap out dairy whole milk for nondairy milks, white sugar for maple syrup, and use more fibrous grains such as oats to make the dessert gluten-free.
Banana Cream Pie (Vegan + GF)
It was about dang time for banana cream pie on this blog. As many of you know, I had a small obsession with banana cream pie blizzards before going
Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Squares
The perfect after-school snack or easy dessert. Just 9 ingredients, 1 bowl, 30 minutes to make. Oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free!
Banoffee Cheesecake
Vegan banana cheesecake on a no-bake biscuit crust. Combines flavours of banoffee pie and cheesecake in one dessert while being dairy-free.
Low Carb Keto Banana Pudding
This creamy low carb keto banana pudding recipe contains real banana and no fake extracts! It only takes 15 minutes to make. Dessert heaven.
Banana Bars Recipe - The Big Man's World ®
Healthy Banana Bars with peanut butter, made with no flour and no sugar! It's vegan, gluten free and sugar free, nut free, paleo!
Flavors That Go Well With Banana
Sometimes I have a few leftover bananas and a little bit of other leftover ingredients but not enough of either to make a whole dessert. The recipes below take a fun twist on combining those leftover ingredients to make a complete and flavorful dessert that enhances the banana flavor.
Chocolate Honeycomb Banana Bread (Vegan Gluten-Free) - Nourishing Amy
Light and fluffy vegan and gluten-free banana bread studded with chunks of chocolate and homemade sticky honeycomb all topped with a vanilla cream cheese frosting. Add on extra chocolate honeycomb for the tastiest chocolate bar inspired banana bread loaf. The banana bread for July is here, albeit later in the month, but the wait is […]
Orange Banana Bundt Cake
Make this easy Orange Banana Bundt Cake from scratch in under an hour!
Strawberry Banana Cake (so soft and moist!)
This melt-in-your-mouth Strawberry Banana Cake recipe is the perfect summer cake, bursting with fresh fruit flavor!
Coconut Banana Cookies
These Coconut Banana Cookies are easy 3-ingredients healthy banana cookies packed with coconut flavors. They are egg-free, dairy-free,
Nice Cream Banana Raspberry
A 100% fruit u0022minuteu0022 ice cream, only two ingredients but so creamy and tasty: this Nice raspberry banana cream will seduce you, I'm sure! A dessert so perfect that it can also be eaten for breakfast, in short, a healthy and easy recipe.
Pumpkin Banana Bread
What do you get when you have two brown bananas and a leftover open can of pumpkin puree - pumpkin banana bread.
Banana Blueberry Crumble Recipe - Simply Quinoa
This banana blueberry crumble is a quick and easy summer dessert that everyone will love. It's light, healthy, vegan, and uses just 1/4 cup of sweetener!
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies - The Girl Who Ate Everything
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies are gluten-free, topped with chocolate chips and only 4 ingredients! A great way to use up bananas!
2 Ingredient No Bake Chocolate Banana Cake (No Flour, Eggs or Oil)
This easy no bake chocolate banana cake is just 2 ingredients. It is very rich and full of chocolate and banana flavor. It doesn't contain any flour, eggs, or oil. It is best served chilled and can be made ahead of time, making it an especially great dessert in the summer, though it can be enjoyed year-round.
Apple Banana Bundt Cake
Granny Smith apples, over-ripe bananas, cinnamon, and apple pie spice are the featured ingredients in this delicious Apple Pie Banana Bundt Cake.
American Banana Desserts
Homemade banana pudding is a classic dessert in the US consisting of a layer of vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and vanilla custard, while the top of the pudding is piled with creamy whipped cream and it is the perfect recipe for a summer get-together.
Easy Banana Cream Pie
Banana Cream Pie is an old-fashioned dessert made with vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, u0026 mounds of whipped cream in a flaky crust!
The Best Quick Southern Banana Pudding Recipe • Southern Shelle
Need a quick banana pudding recipe? The satisfying combo of creamy layers of pudding, bananas and vanilla wafers are an instant hit.
The BEST Bananas Foster
In this Bananas Foster recipe, sliced bananas are coated in a cinnamon caramel, then flambeed in rum and banana liqueur to create the treat of your dreams!
Banana Split Recipe {Classic} - Two Peas u0026 Their Pod
How to make a classic Banana Split! This old-fashioned ice cream dessert is easy to make at home! Grab a spoon and dig in!
Banana Poke Cake
Banana Pudding Poke Cake is an easy dessert recipe made with cake mix poked with banana pudding, topped with Cool Whip and crushed Nilla Wafers!
Banana Desserts Using Banana Products
This is a little bit of an inception category since these banana desserts are made from either banana flour or banana liquor.
Banana Flour Chocolate Chip Cake {Vegan u0026 Grain-Free}
With a perfect light, fluffy crumb, you'd never guess this chocolate chip cake is grain and egg free! More about this amazing ingredient + get the recipe...
Banana Cream Pie Cocktail
A Banana Cream Pie Cocktail is an adult dessert beverage that is like enjoying a piece of Banana Cream Pie in liquid form.
Accamma's Memories of Thambattu
Accamma takes us far away into the high hills and deep forests of Kodaga, where the Kodava people still observe ancient traditions around the cycle of sowing, planting, and harvesting. In addition to educating me on the language and history of the Kodavas, Accamma shares very personal memories of celebratory nights spent on her family’s plantation marking the harvest of first rice, then coffee, mandarins, and black pepper.
FAQ:
When is a Banana Considered Too Ripe/Rotten?
Brown bananas are not the same as rotten bananas. The peel can be brown or even black and still be useable, however, if it becomes a dark color on the inside of the banana or if it is leaking fluids then you know that your bananas are rotten and should be thrown out.
source: Southern Living
Different Types of Bananas Used Internationally for Banana Desserts
- Cavendish bananas are those found in grocery stores all over the US and they make up 47% of all global banana production!
- Nam Wah bananas are another variety that are sweet and used in raw banana desserts and smoothies; they are small and have a slight vanilla taste.
- Pisang Raja Bananas are great for banana splits and banana ice cream as they are the creamiest of the banana varieties because they contain the least amount of starch.
- Lady finger bananas are great in banana pudding and are described as sugar bananas because they are so sweet.
- Señorita bananas are good in banana bread and banana pudding because they are incredibly soft and very sweet.
- Blue Java bananas are perfect in breads and muffins because they have a smooth, custard texture.
- Manzano bananas are good for a variety of desserts and custards and are sometimes referred to as an "apple banana" because of their notes of apple and strawberry.
source: Serious Eats
The Best Way to Freeze Bananas
The next time you want to freeze bananas whether for a future banana batter of some kind, banana ice cream, or for smoothies, Downshiftology says that you have 3 different options to choose from, but with all of the recommended ways, first, let the bananas turn brown because they are the sweetest that way.
- Half or Whole: First, peel the banana, leave it whole or cut in half, and freeze on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours; then put them in freezer bags with the date and they will stay good for up to 3 months.
- Slices: Peel and slice the bananas in 1/2-inch or 1-inch rounds, freeze for 1-2 hours on a baking sheet, and transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Mashed: Peel and mash the bananas, then place them in either a silicone mold or muffin tin (she recommends measuring out 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup so you won't have to measure them when you thaw them) and freeze for 2-3 hours in the freezer then put them in freezer bags for up to 3 months. To thaw, you can leave it in the fridge overnight or let it sit at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours.
source: Downshiftology
4
servings30
minutes40
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- Banana Desserts by Country
Banoffee Pie from Culinary Ginger
Hummingbird Cake from Jerk Tavern
Banana Akaras (Banana Fritters) from 196 Flavors
Akwadu (Baked Banana) from Foreign Fork
Bananas Au Four Croustillantes (Oven Baked Bananas) from 196 Flavors
Banana Cue (Deep Fried Caramelized Bananas) from Foxy Folksy
Banana Puff Puffs from African Bites
Chek Cheung Skor (Caramelized Bananas) from 196 Flavors
Banana Milk from My Korean Kitchen
Cekodok Pisang (Banana Donuts) from Cinnamon Snail
Kluai Buat Chi (Bananas in Coconut Milk) from Hungry in Thailand
Tokyo Banana Roll from Indulge With Mimi
Chinese Toffee Bananas (拔絲香焦) from Slurrp
Banana Halwa (Banana Fudge) from Cook With Kushi
Lab e Shireen (Fruit Custard) from Butter Over Bae
Suafa’i (Samoan Banana and Coconut Milk Pudding) from Vegan Physicist
Fijian Banana Cake from International Cuisine
Chocobananos (Frozen Chocolate Bananas) from 196 Flavors
Plátanos Calados (Stewed Spiced Bananas) from My Colombian Recipes
Bolo de Farinha de Rosca com Banana (Brazilian Banana Cake) from Little Sunny Kitchen
Brazilian Fried Bananas from Easy and Delish
Mexican Fried Bananas from Kiwilimon
- Banana Desserts for Each Stage of a Banana
Easy Green Banana and Chocolate Cake from Creative In My Kitchen
Jamaican Banana Rum Bread from Bake At Midnite
Banana Ice Cream from Yummy Toddler Food
Frozen Chocolate Bananas from Glue Sticks Blog
- Most Searched for Banana Desserts
Banana Bread from Love and Lemons
Caramelized Bananas from Cake Whiz
Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies from Bigger Bolder Baking
Banana Cream Chocolate Truffles from Taste of Home
Banana Trifle from A Southern Soul
Banana Nut Muffins from The Busy Baker
Banana Upside Down Cake from Broma Bakery
Grilled Bananas from Slender Kitchen
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie from Mindy Cake
Banana Souffle from Taste of Home
Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas from One Little Project
Banana Pancakes from Cookie and Katie
Banana Bars from Well Plated
Banana Waffles from Lil Luna
Banana Creme Brulee from Whisper of Yum
- Diet-Friendly Banana Desserts
Gluten-Free, Vegan Banana Cream Pie from Minimalist Baker
Vegan Chocolate Chip Squares from It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken
Vegan Banoffee Cheesecake from Addicted To Dates
Keto Banana Pudding from Sugar Free Londoner
Flourless Banana Bread Bars from The Big Mans World
- Flavors The Go With Banana
Honeycomb Banana Layer Cake from Zoe Bakes
Orange Banana Bundt Cake from Persnickety Plates
Strawberry and Banana Pudding Cake from Amy Cakes Bakes
Coconut Banana Cookies from The Conscious Plant Kitchen
Banana and Raspberry Ice Cream from Lilie Bakery
Pumpkin Banana Bread from Baran Bakery
Banana Blueberry Crumble from Simply Quinoa
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies from The Girl Who Ate Everything
No Bake Banana Chocolate Cake from Kirbie Cravings
Apple Pie Banana Bundt Cake from Sue Bee Homemaker
- American Banana Desserts
Banana Cream Pie from Spend The Pennies
Banana Pudding from Southern Shelle
Bananas Foster from Grandbaby Cakes
Banana Split from Two Peas and Their Pod
Banana Poke Cake from The Country Cook
- Banana Desserts Using Banana Products
Banana Flour Chocolate Chip Cake from Feasting On Fruit
Banana Cream Pie Cocktail from I am Baker
Directions
- Make sure you listen to Sophie Musoki's episode, 132 Sunlight, Moonlight, Cassava, and Community with A Kitchen in Uganda while you make your favorite banana dessert!
- Also listen to Accamma's episode, 171 Warriors and Children of Nature.
Motivation for This Post
Bananas are something most of us probably take for granted because they are always around, cheap to buy, and have the right amount of sweetness to curb your sweet tooth when you are craving a sweet snack.
Banana desserts, at least from my own perception, bring to mind banana bread, muffins, homemade pudding, and maybe strawberry-banana smoothies, so I was pleasantly surprised that when I looked into all of the international dishes that use sweet bananas in desserts, I realized how incredibly versatile this fruit can be.
I hope you can also find some inspiration from the list below that showcases banana desserts that you can make with ripe, green, frozen, and fresh bananas, as well as banana flour and banana liquor.
Would love to hear from you!