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
Cooks in 1 hour 45 minutesA simple, no-bake pie consisting of layers starting with a graham cracker crust, toffee, sliced bananas and topped with whipped cream.
Irresistible Jamaican Hummingbird Cake: Doctor Bird Cake
Cooks in 135 minutesJamaican Hummingbird Cake is a heavenly tropical dessert that combines the flavors of bananas, pineapples, and pecans. This moist and decadent cake, often referred to as the "Banana Pineapple Cake," is a staple in Jamaican cuisine. In this blog post, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making this delightful treat.
Banana Akaras
Cooks in 30 minutesBanana akaras are traditional banana fritters from Sierra Leone. They are great snacks for both kids and adults!
Baked Bananas (Akwadu) from Equatorial Guinea
Cooks in 27 minutesBaked Bananas (Akwadu) from Equatorial Guinea is a perfect recipe for breakfast OR dessert! The bananas are baked in orange juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, and coconut and can be served with honey!
Oven-Baked Bananas (Bananes au Four Croustillantes)
Cooks in 20 minutesOven-baked bananas are a traditional Gabonese dessert consisting of fried slices of breaded banana which are then baked in the oven before being sprinkled with brown sugar, and served with sour cream.
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 Green Banana and Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free)
An easy-to-make green banana and chocolate cake that can also make a great replacement for ladyfingers if you want to make a gluten-free, sugar-free, and lectin-free tiramisu cake.
Jamaican Banana Rum Bread
Cooks in 75 minutesBring the Caribbean to your house with this outstanding banana bread. The best youll ever eat!
2-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream
Cooks in 5 minutesMake a batch of the easiest Banana Ice Cream to share with the kids with just two ingredients and the creamiest texture! It takes about 5 minutes, there are easy ways to customize it for your preferences, and it is just so good.
Chocolate Frozen Bananas
Cooks in 70 minutesChocolate 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
Cooks in 70 minutesThe BEST banana bread recipe! This easy loaf is moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. I love to add walnuts for crunch, but feel free to swap in pecans, chocolate chips, or raisins if you prefer.
Easy Caramelized Bananas
Cooks in 15 minutesQuick and easy pan fried caramelized bananas recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in 15 minutes. Flavored with cinnamon, vanilla. Great on ice cream, pancakes, waffles.
3 Ingredient Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cooks in 25 minutesMake a simple treat with my 3 ingredient healthybanana oatchocolate chip cookies recipe that tastes as good or better than the full recipe!
Banana Cream Chocolate Truffles
Cooks in 35 minutesThis truffle recipe was created from ripe bananas and my imagination, and the outcome blew my family and friends away! I don’t particularly like bananas, but I could eat these truffles all day long. —Michele Lassuy, Orlando, Florida
Best Banana Pudding Trifle
Made with fresh bananas and whipped cream, this Homemade Banana Pudding Trifle is a Southern-inspired dessert perfect for any special occasion. It's layered with cookies and pudding, making it a downright heavenly show-stopper!
Best Ever Banana Nut Muffins
Cooks in 38 minutesThese 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
Cooks in 45 minutesGrilled Bananas
Cooks in 25 minutesThese 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
Cooks in 42 minutesA chocolate take on the classic banana cream pie. Chocolate mousse filled with bananas and Oreo cookies and layered with chocolate Nutella ganache in an Oreo Crust.
Banana Souffle
Cooks in 55 minutesThis pretty, golden-topped puff is so easy to whip up, but looks like you really fussed. Lightly laced with rum, the moist, tender, banana-rich souffle makes that perfect “little something” to wrap up any holiday dinner. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas
Cooks in 10 minutesSoft and sweet on the inside and caramelized on the outside.
3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
Cooks in 20 minutesThese 3-ingredient banana pancakes are healthy and so easy to make. This recipe is family friendly as wellbabies, kids and adults alike love these pancakes. Yields 8 pancakes (each about 4 inches in diameter, enough for 2 to 4 servings).
Banana Bars with Chocolate Chips
Cooks in 60 minutesHealthy 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 Recipe
Cooks in 15 minutesBanana 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
Cooks in 305 minutesThis Banana Creme Brulee recipe is to die for. Six simple ingredients is all you need to make this elegant and simple to make dessert that is a must-have in your recipe repertoire.
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)
Cooks in 480 minutesAbsolutely delicious, 10-ingredient vegan banana cream pie! Crispy gluten-free crust, fluffy and silky cream center, and layered with 3 whole bananas!
Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Squares
Cooks in 30 minutesThe perfect after-school snack or easy dessert. Just 9 ingredients, 1 bowl, 30 minutes to make.
Banoffee Cheesecake
Cooks in 280 minutesThe creamiest vegan banoffee cheesecake with layers of caramelised banana cheesecake, salted caramel, banana and whipped coconut cream on a no-bake biscuit crust. Combining the classic flavours of banoffee pie and cheesecake in one decadent dessert all while being eggless and dairy-free. The perfect treat for any special occasion.
Low Carb Keto Banana Pudding
Cooks in 15 minutesThis easy keto banana pudding is a taste sensation! It is silky, creamy and just on the right side of sweet. Unlike other low carb banana pudding recipes, I've found a way to use REAL banana and still keep the carb count low.
Banana Bars
Cooks in 18 minutesThese easy banana bars need just four ingredients to make and are a healthy and wholesome dessert or even breakfast- no dairy, no eggs, and completely flourless.
Healthy Banana Cake
Cooks in 35 minutesIf you are looking for ways to use ripe bananas, this recipe is for you. Moist and delicious, this Healthy Banana Cake will satisfy your sweet tooth without guilt. Its made with whole grain, is oil-free, gluten-free and naturally sweetened with bananas.
Flavors That Go 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.
Honeycomb Banana Layer Cake
This Honeycomb Banana Layer Cake is inspired by Cadbury Crunchie Bar candy my husband ate as a child growing up in Montreal. Hes been asking me to recreate the chocolate covered honeycomb (sponge toffee) candy and now that Ive had it, I regret not making it decades ago. I made this banana cake with a coffee flavored honey meringue buttercream, the honeycomb candy seemed just the right garnish for the top.
Orange Banana Bundt Cake
Cooks in 41 minutesThis Orange Banana Bundt Cake recipe is as easy as it is delicious. Made with simple, flavorful ingredients such as orange juice, bananas, and a hint of cinnamon and topped with a delicious orange glaze, this moist bundt cake will be ready in under an hour.
Strawberry Banana Cake (so soft & moist!)
This melt-in-your-mouth Strawberry Banana Cake recipe is the perfect summer cake, bursting with fresh fruit flavor!A1x batch yields16" three-layer cake, and a2x batch yields18" three-layer cakecut out with cake rings using theCut and Stack Method. Or choose a different pan size by visitingmy recommended cake pan chart.
Coconut Banana Cookies
Cooks in 25 minutesThese Coconut Banana Cookies are easy 3-ingredient healthy banana cookies packed with coconut flavors. They are egg-free and dairy-free.
Nice Cream Banana Raspberry (2 Ingredients Only)
Cooks in 10 minutesA creamy and 100% fruit ice cream! No dairy products or sugar needed for this ice cream recipe without an ice cream maker to adopt urgently...
Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe
Cooks in 135 minutesWhat do you get when you have two brown bananas and a leftover open can of pumpkin puree - pumpkin banana bread. Perfectly moist and fluffy, good balance of pumpkin and banana and all the fall spices.
Banana Blueberry Crumble
Cooks in 50 minutesThis healthy banana blueberry crumble is the perfect vegan summer dessert! Naturally gluten-free, it doubles as a delicious breakfast recipe too!
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies are gluten-free, topped with chocolate chips and only 4 ingredients! If you have ripe bananas laying around, make these as a healthier version to regular cookies.
2 Ingredient No Bake Banana Chocolate Cake
Cooks in 20 minutesThis easy no-bake cake tastes like a banana and chocolate flavored flourless cake. It is rich and creamy and just 2 ingredients.
Apple Banana Bundt Cake
Cooks in 80 minutesApple Banana Bundt Cake is the perfect fallmash-up and should be on your dessert menu soon. Seasonal apples, over-ripe bananas, cinnamon, and apple pie spice are the featured ingredients in this delicious fall cake. Worth every calorie and more!
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
Cooks in 25 minutesWhip up an easy banana cream pie using a pre-made crust for a quick and delicious treat!
The Best Quick Southern Banana Pudding Recipe
The Best Quick southern banana pudding comes together in a snap and uses cool whip to make the pudding airy and light--a perfect complement to fresh bananas and crunchy vanilla wafers.
Bananas Foster
Cooks in 20 minutesIn this Bananas Foster recipe, sliced bananas are coated in a cinnamon caramel, then flambeed in rum and banana liqueur.
Banana Split
Cooks in 10 minutesThis classic ice cream dessert starts with a fresh banana, three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), pineapple, chocolate syrup, and strawberries. Oh, and don't forget the whipped cream, nuts, and maraschino cherries. Grab a spoon and dig in!
Banana Pudding Poke Cake (+Video)
Cooks in 45 minutesBanana 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
Cooks in 58 minutesWith a perfect light, fluffy crumb, you'd never guess this banana flour chocolate chip cake is grain and egg free!
Banana Cream Pie Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesBanana 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
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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!