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This quick and easy Bananas Foster recipe brings the classic New Orleans dessert to your table in just 10 minutes! Featuring caramelized bananas in a rich rum sauce, this indulgent treat is surprisingly simple to make. With just one banana and a few basic ingredients, this recipe is perfect for spooning over ice cream or enjoying on its own—no special occasion required!
Looking for more New Orleans-inspired recipes made for one or two? Try my Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya, mini Muffuletta, or a small batch of Pralines.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Made in one skillet and ready in 10 minutes.
- Customizable: Use rum for a classic touch or skip it for a no-alcohol version. Flambé for flair or keep it simple.
- Minimal Ingredients: Just butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon—big flavor, no fuss.
- Rich & Decadent: A warm caramelized sauce that takes bananas to the next level.
- Easily Doubles: Need more? This recipe scales up effortlessly.
Bananas Foster was created in the 1950s at Brennan’s restaurant in New Orleans when owner Owen Brennan asked his chef to highlight bananas, a major import at the time. Named after Richard Foster, a friend of Brennan’s, the dish became famous for its flambéed rum sauce, bringing a dramatic burst of flames and rich caramelized flavor.
As a New Orleans native, I have a deep love for classic Louisiana recipes, and Bananas Foster is one of my favorites. With butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar, sliced bananas transform into a warm, caramelized sauce. Spoon it over vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got an unforgettable treat. My single serving version keeps all the flavor but makes just enough for one—no need for a special occasion!
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
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. For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil.
- Brown sugar and ground cinnamon: Either light or dark brown sugar works well to create the rich sauce, while cinnamon adds a warm flavor.
- Banana: Use one ripe banana for the best flavor and texture. If you have extras, they’re perfect for a small Banana Bread or 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, 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
Try these delicious Bananas Foster variations:
- Warm Spices: Add a dash of nutmeg or cardamom for extra depth.
- Tropical Fruits: Swap the banana for mango or pineapple.
- Crunchy Addition: Stir in toasted pecans or almonds.
- Maple Syrup: Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
How To Make Bananas Foster
These 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 rich flavors without the flames! If you’re avoiding alcohol, a splash of vanilla or rum extract works well. This dessert is all about making it the way you enjoy it most.
Before You Begin: 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.
- Make 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.
- Add the Rum (Optional): Pour in 2 tablespoons of rum and let the sauce simmer.
- Alcohol-Free Alternative: Substitute the rum with a dash of vanilla or rum extract.
Pro Tip: Measure the rum into a bowl before adding it to the pan to prevent spills or flare-ups.
- Flambé (Optional): If you’d like to flambé, carefully tilt the pan to ignite the rum using a long lighter.
- Ensure the cooking area is clear, and have a pan lid or fire extinguisher nearby as a precaution.
- Let the flames burn out naturally.
Pro Tip: If the flames persist, quickly cover the pan with its lid and turn off the heat.
- Serve Immediately: Spoon the warm sauce over a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Measure the Rum First: Always pour rum into a small bowl before adding it to the pan—never straight from the bottle. This prevents spills and keeps things safe.
- Use a Long Lighter for Flambé: If flambéing, use a long-reach lighter and tilt the pan slightly toward the flame. This helps ignite the alcohol vapor instead of the liquid.
- Control the Flame: Gently shake the pan to keep the flame steady and ensure the sauce cooks evenly.
- Be Prepared: Keep a skillet lid and a fire extinguisher nearby anytime you’re working with an open flame.
Serving Suggestions
Bananas Foster is classic over vanilla ice cream, but here are a few other ways to enjoy it:
- Bananas Foster Sundae: Top with whipped cream, a cherry, and crushed nuts.
- Over Pancakes or Waffles: Drizzle over pancakes or a waffle for a special breakfast.
- Bananas Foster Trifle: Layer with pound cake, custard, and whipped cream for a decadent treat.
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
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
This dessert comes together fast, so have all your ingredients measured and ready before you start.
- Melt the Butter: In an 8-inch or 10-inch stainless steel or cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Make the Sauce: Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds, until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the Bananas: Slice a ripe banana and add it to the skillet. Stir gently, letting the bananas soften for about a minute.
- Add the Rum (Optional): Pour in 2 tablespoons of rum and let the sauce simmer.Pro Tip: Measure the rum into a bowl before adding it to the pan to prevent spills or flare-ups.(Alcohol-Free Alternative: Substitute the rum with a dash of vanilla or rum extract.)
- Flambé (Optional): If you’d like to flambé, carefully tilt the pan to ignite the rum using a long lighter.Ensure the cooking area is clear, and have a pan lid or fire extinguisher nearby as a precaution.Let the flames burn out naturally.Pro Tip: If the flames persist, quickly cover the pan with its lid and turn off the heat.
- Serve Immediately: Spoon the warm sauce over a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy.
Notes
- Measure the Rum First: Always pour rum into a small bowl before adding it to the pan—never straight from the bottle. This prevents spills and keeps things safe.
- Use a Long Lighter for Flambé: If flambéing, use a long-reach lighter and tilt the pan slightly toward the flame. This helps ignite the alcohol vapor instead of the liquid.
- Control the Flame: Gently shake the pan to keep the flame steady and ensure the sauce cooks evenly.
- Be Prepared: Keep a skillet lid and a fire extinguisher nearby anytime you’re working with an open flame.
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.
I have a Mardi Gras event tomorrow night and will be making Bananas Foster. I found this “for one” recipe and had to test it.
I pre-measured ingredients before starting the recipe. It was fast, easy, and delicious! Thank you.
Sounds like you’re all set for a fantastic Mardi Gras event! I’m so glad you gave the recipe a test run and enjoyed it. Bananas Foster is such a fun and delicious dessert—perfect for celebrating! Hope your event is a great one!
The one time this year I bought bananas and was itching to try this recipe. I made it exactly as written and it was SO good and so easy. Don’t be intimidated by a ‘fancy’ dessert, you can do this one!!
The recipe for one serving was large, my husband and I shared it and I was plenty for the two of us. Excellent!
Joanie, this was excellent. The exact portions of each ingredient Blended perfectly. Why spend 9 or 10 dollars for a head waiter, who also wants a tip, to prepare this at tableside when you can make it at home for a buck. Every bit is good if not better than restaurant. I forwarded the recipe to my kids and granddaughter who does not like bananas. I told her, simple, use a fresh sliced Peach
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe and love your idea of using peaches instead of bananas—that’s such a great twist. I hope your kids and granddaughter enjoy it too!
perfect measurements and overall a delicious, quick, and easy treat. Thank u!
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.