Skip to main content

Caramelized Bananas

Image may contain Banana Food Fruit Plant Produce and Bread

The faint flavor of smoke and caramelized brown sugar do exquisite things to a banana. A drizzling of rum or liqueur gives this simple dessert "gourmet" status. Tips for success: Choose firm, just-ripe bananas so they don't fall apart, cut the bananas as instructed for ease of handling, and use a clean grill rack or a fresh piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil to cover the grill.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2

tablespoons butter, melted

2

tablespoons brown sugar

4

firm, ripe bananas

1 to 2

tablespoons rum or liqueur (such as Frangelico, Kalúa, Cointreau, or kir; optional)

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    1. Prepare a medium fire in the grill.

    Step 2

    2. Combine the butter and brown sugar in a shallow dish. Peel the bananas, cut in half lengthwise, and then again crosswise. Add the bananas to the butter mixture and toss very gently to coat.

    Step 3

    3. Grill the bananas, turning once, until a crispy brown coating of caramelized sugar forms on the surface, about 5 minutes per side. Watch carefully; don't allow the sugar to char.

    Step 4

    4. Remove from the grill and, if desired, drizzle the rum or liqueur on top. Serve hot.

From The New Vegetarian Grill, Revised Edition: 250 Flame-Kissed Recipes for Fresh, Inspired Meals by Andrea Chesman. Copyright © 2008 by Andrea Chesman. Published by Harvard Common Press.