Caramelized Bananas With Pecan-Coconut Crunch Recipe (2024)

Or, just die happy.

After serving, immediately proceed to Peleton for 75 minutes.

Do NOT move the crunchy topping to a shallow bowl (It will all clump together). Spread out the topping immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper while you broil your bananas.

I don't see that this dessert has so much more fat than most. It contains 1 T of butter, 1 T of heavy cream, and a scoop of ice cream or creme fraiche per serving. Considering cheese cake, carrot cake, apple pie a la mode or most typical American desserts, it's not particularly fat heavy. That said, I would agree that using a vegan alternative, or even just replacing the ice cream topping with a coconut version would lighten it up considerably! And there is the healthful banana...

I put on 5lbs just looking at the picture

Made this tonight for guests - was very special and absolutely delicious, surprisingly neither heavy nor too sweet. Made the crunchy topping ahead of time and did the rest after dinner. 3 bananas were enough for 4, and the leftover topping is going to grace my oatmeal this week.

Ghee is made from butter. It is not dairy free.

As written this is 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp cream, 2 tbsp sugar honey per person (minus the fruit sugar of the banana and any creme fraiche or ice cream you choose to add). As desserts go, not heavy at all. I plan to add rum.

For those who are dairy free replace butter with ghee, and cream used for the bananas with coconut cream. Whip chilled canned coconut milk (using the cream that rises to the top). See Minimalist Baker's Coconut Whipped Cream for super easy recipe.

Liz is correct that it's not dairy free (a vegan wouldn't eat it). But Ghee = clarified butter = milk solids/proteins are removed. So (at least some) folks who are dairy free due to a lactose intolerance can tolerate ghee. I've also heard that some diets (like paleo and anti-inflammatory) that otherwise eschew dairy allow ghee since the milk solids were removed. The more you know.

For this and other similar recipes, I'm wondering whether it might work just as well if the dairy ingredients (here, butter and heavy cream) are substituted with vegan alternatives, such as coconut oil and nut milks. I recognize that the best way to answer my own question is to give it a try. And I will. But would welcome any insights from those who might already know. Thanks!

You could also eliminate the butter and honey in the topping by dry-roasting the rest in a frying pan or under a broiler, as I have done many times. Black mustard seeeds would be a lovely seed, but they should be roasted separately because they will toast very quickly, and with a lid ready to cover the pan when they begin to pop or they will fly all over the kitchen. But the fragrance is to die for.

Great recipe. I didn’t have pumpkin seeds so substituted slivered almonds and will make that a permanent change in my recipe.

So good on ice cream.

Could use cashew cream

The Crunch recipe calls for 2T honey, yet then only uses 1, by the way. I’ve used 2. Also, be careful with the kosher salt! It can easily be a bit much.

The crunchy topping was very good but the bananas burnt to a crisp even though I didn’t put them up close to the broiler. Luckily I put the crunchy topping over raspberries and vanilla ice cream that I had.

This feels like a refined more delicious version of the banana boat we use to make at scouts camp. Need to try these even after trying on a pre-Covid t-shirt today. I’m sure it will be great- love Ms.Komolafe’s creations so far!

This dessert makes bananas foster seem positively pedestrian.However, I think that a 1/2 serving is plenty, especially given the caloric content it is absolutely decadent.

Great recipe. I didn’t have pumpkin seeds so substituted slivered almonds and will make that a permanent change in my recipe.

Could you do it in individual ramekins? Can it be reheated if you want to bring it to someone's house?

Seems like a more complicated Bananas Foster. I would think one could simplify the cooking steps in this recipe (and end up with the same flavors) by adding everything except the cream from step 2 (including the bananas) after about five minutes into step 1. Finish with some cream before serving.

You could also eliminate the butter and honey in the topping by dry-roasting the rest in a frying pan or under a broiler, as I have done many times. Black mustard seeeds would be a lovely seed, but they should be roasted separately because they will toast very quickly, and with a lid ready to cover the pan when they begin to pop or they will fly all over the kitchen. But the fragrance is to die for.

Just putting a sharper point on Liz's reply: Ghee is clarified butter.

As written this is 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp cream, 2 tbsp sugar honey per person (minus the fruit sugar of the banana and any creme fraiche or ice cream you choose to add). As desserts go, not heavy at all. I plan to add rum.

Could use cashew cream

This was divine. Used a mix of spicy and sweet honey for the topping (so omitted black pepper). Cooled on Silpat. Used extra pecan because I had no pepitas. Subbed maple syrup for rest of honey, and almond milk for heavy cream. Did not add butter and syrup until bananas were laid in skillet (by mistake), as at that point I was following the ingredient list instead of the instructions. Caught it just in time; stirred bananas and sauce well. Result was saucy, not caramel-y.

Do NOT move the crunchy topping to a shallow bowl (It will all clump together). Spread out the topping immediately onto a sheet of parchment paper while you broil your bananas.

So good on ice cream.

Made this tonight for guests - was very special and absolutely delicious, surprisingly neither heavy nor too sweet. Made the crunchy topping ahead of time and did the rest after dinner. 3 bananas were enough for 4, and the leftover topping is going to grace my oatmeal this week.