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Enjoy the rich flavors of New Orleans with this classic Bananas Foster recipe! While it’s often seen as a special-occasion dessert, it’s surprisingly simple to make for one. This recipe combines a caramelized banana with a warm, rich rum sauce—ideal for spooning over ice cream or enjoying on its own. With just one banana and a few basic ingredients, you can have Bananas Foster ready in just 10 minutes!
If you’re looking for more New Orleans-inspired recipes made just for one, you’re in the right place! Try our flavorful Seafood Gumbo, personal-sized Jambalaya, mini Muffuletta sandwich, or a small batch of sweet Pralines. Each recipe brings you just the right taste of Southern flavors!
Table of Contents
As a New Orleans native, I have a deep love for classic Crescent City recipes, and this Bananas Foster is one of my favorites. In this simple dessert, ingredients like butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar transform sliced bananas into something special. As they cook on the stove, they blend into a warm sauce that caramelizes the bananas. Spoon this rich, sweet sauce over vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got an unforgettable treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Made in one skillet and ready in just 10 minutes—perfect for a quick dessert!
- Customizable: Go classic with rum, or skip the alcohol for a family-friendly version. Flambé for extra drama, or keep it simple without the flame.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses pantry basics like butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, delivering big flavor without a long list.
- Rich Flavor: Butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon come together for a warm, decadent sauce that’s truly unforgettable.
- Easily Doubles: Hosting? This recipe is easy to scale up for a crowd-pleasing New Orleans dessert!
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
What Is Bananas Foster And Its History?
Bananas Foster originated in the 1950s at Brennan’s restaurant in New Orleans. At the time, New Orleans was a major entry port for bananas from Central and South America, and restaurant owner Owen Brennan saw an opportunity. He challenged his chef to create a dessert featuring bananas, leading to the creation of this now-iconic dish.
The dessert was named after Richard Foster, a friend of Brennan’s and head of the New Orleans Crime Commission. Traditionally, Bananas Foster is flambéed with rum right at the table—a show-stopping technique that brings a burst of flames and intensifies the flavor.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch Bananas Foster recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Butter: Both salted and unsalted butter work here. If you’re using unsalted, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. For a dairy-free option, try coconut oil.
- Brown sugar and ground cinnamon: Either light or dark brown sugar works well to create the rich sauce, while cinnamon adds a hint of warmth to each bite.
- Banana: Use one ripe banana for the best flavor and texture. If you have extras, they’re perfect for a small Banana Bread or in a mini Caramelized Banana Upside Down Cake.
- Rum: Rum adds that classic touch and is perfect for flambéing, but it’s optional. Use light or dark rum based on preference, or leave it out for an alcohol-free version. Consider using extra rum in a small batch of Rum Balls.
- Vanilla ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect match, bringing out the rich flavors of the caramelized bananas.
Delicious Tip: Turn this dish into Bananas Foster French Toast by spooning the warm bananas and sauce over freshly made french toast. A delicious twist for an unforgettable breakfast!
Recipe Variations
Bananas Foster is a flexible dessert that’s easy to make your own. Here are a few ideas to add a fun twist:
- Adding Warm Spices: A dash of nutmeg or cardamom brings a more complex flavor to the sauce.
- Using Tropical Fruits: For a fresh twist, replace the banana with mango or pineapple to give the dessert a tropical feel.
- Incorporating Nuts: Add toasted pecans or almonds for a crunchy contrast to the soft, caramelized bananas.
- Maple Syrup Substitute: If brown sugar isn’t on hand, maple syrup makes a great alternative, adding a different yet delicious sweetness.
How To Make Bananas Foster
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a single serving of Bananas Foster. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Personal Note: When I make Bananas Foster for a quiet night in, I often skip the flambé step—you’ll still get all the wonderful flavors without the flames! If you’re going alcohol-free, a splash of vanilla or rum extract works beautifully. This dish is all about enjoying it the way you like best!
- This dessert comes together quickly, so have all your ingredients within reach before you start.
- Melt the Butter: Using either an 8-inch or 10-inch stainless steel or cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Create the Sauce: Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter. Stir until the sugar melts, which should take around 30 seconds.
- Add Bananas: Slice a ripe banana and toss it into the skillet. Frequently stir as the bananas soften; this should take about a minute.
- Include Rum (Optional): Pour in 2 tablespoons of rum and let the mixture simmer gently.
Note: If you prefer an alcohol-free version, swap the rum for a dash of vanilla or rum extract.
Pro Tip: Measure the rum into a bowl or cup before adding it—this way, you’ll avoid any accidental spills or flare-ups.
- Ignite (Optional): If you’re going for the flambé effect, carefully tilt the pan and ignite the rum with a long lighter. Make sure the area is clear, and have a pan lid and fire extinguisher nearby just in case. Let the flame burn out naturally.
Pro Tip: If the flames linger, quickly cover the pan with its lid and turn off the heat.
- Serve and Enjoy: Immediately spoon the delicious sauce over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Expert Tips
- Measure the Rum Separately: Don’t pour rum straight from the bottle into the skillet. Measure it into a bowl first, then add it to the pan. This keeps things safe and ensures an accurate amount.
- Use a Long Lighter for Flambéing: If you’re planning to flambé, use a long-reach lighter for safety. Tilt the pan slightly toward the flame to ignite the alcohol vapor rather than the liquid itself.
- Shake the Pan to Control the Flame: Gently shake the skillet now and then to keep the flame steady and help the sauce cook evenly.
- Have Safety Gear Nearby: Keep a fire extinguisher and the skillet lid within reach. These are essential when working with open flames in the kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
Wondering how best to enjoy this delicious dessert? While classic Bananas Foster is fantastic with vanilla ice cream, here are some other tasty options:
- Bananas Foster Sundae: Turn it into a sundae with whipped cream, a cherry on top, and a sprinkle of crushed nuts for a bit of crunch.
- Over Pancakes or Waffles: Spoon Bananas Foster over pancakes or a freshly made waffle for a breakfast that feels extra special.
- On Toasted Brioche: Try serving it over toasted brioche slices—the buttery, soft bread pairs beautifully with the rich sauce.
- Layered Parfait: For a lighter option, layer Bananas Foster with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in a tall glass.
- In Crepes: Use Bananas Foster as a filling for crepes. The light, delicate crepe adds a lovely touch to this warm, rich dessert.
RELATED: Best Homemade Food Gifts
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just leave it out altogether or use vanilla or rum extract.
Flambé is a cooking method where alcohol is added to food and then ignited. Bananas Foster is traditionally made with this technique, which is why it’s sometimes called “bananas flambé.
Some of the rum will burn off, but not all of it. Since the sauce only simmers briefly, a small amount of alcohol will remain.
You can use any type of rum, but I recommend 80 proof or higher since it’s easier to ignite. Just keep in mind that higher-proof alcohol is very flammable, so use caution when preparing the recipe. If you use a lower-proof rum, you’ll need to bring the sauce to a light boil for it to ignite
You can make it ahead, but it’s best enjoyed right after cooking. If you’d like to prepare the sauce in advance, store it covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just reheat the sauce when you’re ready to serve and pour it over the ice cream.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy bananas foster recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Bananas Foster For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar -packed
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 medium banana -sliced
- 2 tablespoons rum
- vanilla ice cream -for serving
Instructions
- Using either an 8-inch or 10-inch stainless steel or cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter. Stir until the sugar melts, which should take around 30 seconds.
- Slice a ripe banana and toss it into the skillet. Frequently stir as the bananas soften; this should take about a minute.
- Pour in the rum and let the mixture simmer gently.Note: If you prefer an alcohol-free version, swap the rum for a dash of vanilla or rum extract.Pro Tip: Measure the rum into a bowl or cup before adding it—this way, you’ll avoid any accidental spills or flare-ups.
- If you’re going for the flambé effect, carefully tilt the pan and ignite the rum with a long lighter. Make sure the area is clear, and have a pan lid and fire extinguisher nearby just in case. Let the flame burn out naturally.Pro Tip: If the flames linger, quickly cover the pan with its lid and turn off the heat.
- Spoon the bananas foster over ice cream and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Measure the Rum Separately: Don’t pour rum straight from the bottle into the skillet. Measure it into a bowl first, then add it to the pan. This keeps things safe and ensures an accurate amount.
- Use a Long Lighter for Flambéing: If you’re planning to flambé, use a long-reach lighter for safety. Tilt the pan slightly toward the flame to ignite the alcohol vapor rather than the liquid itself.
- Shake the Pan to Control the Flame: Gently shake the skillet now and then to keep the flame steady and help the sauce cook evenly.
- Have Safety Gear Nearby: Keep a fire extinguisher and the skillet lid within reach. These are essential when working with open flames in the kitchen.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Yummmo and exactly what I was looking for. Only alcohol I had on had was an amaretto liqueur-added the tiniest bit.
I spooned this over a slice of banana bread I made yesterday, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
I am making this recipe for 6 dinner guests. Do I have to make one at a time?
To accommodate 6 dinner guests, you can easily scale up the ingredients of the Bananas Foster recipe. Just multiply the quantities by the number of servings you need. Remember to use a larger skillet to ensure there’s enough space for the increased amount of ingredients.
My first one dish kitchen total failure. Brown sugar was burned and bitter by the time it finally melted enough to blend with the butter. Don’t think I’ll try it again.
Hi Rosemary, it sounds like the heat may have been a little too high which made the brown sugar burn faster. As we demonstrate in the recipe video, the brown sugar and butter should meld together very easily. If the brown sugar burned, it tells me the heat was likely too high.
Definitely try again with lower heat. Bananas foster is so delicious, cheap and easy to make at home. You will be glad that you did.