Jamaican Banana Fritters are a delicious and very easy to make breakfast or anytime snack recipe that’s sure to be a winner! They’re the perfect way to use up ripen bananas that’s mixed together with simple pantry items, and is ready in no time. Enjoy this lightly fried; crisp and golden with a perfectly sweet center Caribbean treat whenever you are craving something sweet whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
If you love this fruit, you have to try my other banana recipes like this nutritious Jamaican Green Banana Porridge or Gluten Free Banana Oat Protein Pancakes. Oh, and definitely give this Easy Classic Banana Bread recipe a try!
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Jamaican Banana Fritters
When life hands you ripe bananas, make Jamaican banana fritters! If you normally throw away your browned bananas, then this fritter recipe is for you! This simple, affordable snack brings back fond memories. Growing up in a Caribbean household, we would eat banana fritters with breakfast, as a side to meals, and as a snack.
Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Great Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas – we’ve all been guilty of leaving a bunch of bananas on the counter before. This is the perfect way to put them to use instead of throwing them away or making more banana bread.
- Quick & Easy – have a craving for something sweet? This simple snack is ready in minutes, with minimal ingredients.
- Flavourful with Amazing Texture – these fritters are generously seasoned and lightly fried for a crisp coating and a deliciously sweet, banana-flavoured filling.
What is a Fritter?
A fritter is a mixture of ingredients covered with batter and then deep-fried. It’s made by combining ingredients to make a loose wet batter and then frying that batter in oil. Banana fritters and apple fritters are common fritter recipes but savory foods like these Jamaican Saltfish Fritters are made similarly.
Where Do Banana Fritters Originate From?
Fritters originated in West Africa, where deep-frying food is very common. Today, fritters are consumed everywhere from Southeast Asia to the Caribbeans.
What You Need To Make This Jamaican Banana Fritters Recipe
- Mixing Bowl – to combine ingredients.
- Non-Stick Skillet – use this so you don’t have to use as much oil and butter.
Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
- All Purpose Flour – this holds the fritter together, ensuring that it doesn’t fall apart when it gets in the pan.
- Baking Powder – this gives a little rise to the fritters.
- Ripe Bananas – mashed.
- Brown Sugar – added for sweetness.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – rounds out the other flavours.
- Spices – for that warm Caribbean flavour, I use cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Salt – to balance the sweetness.
- Oil and Butter – for frying.
How to Make Jamaican Banana Fritters
1. Mash and Season Bananas – In a medium mixing bowl, add bananas and use a fork to mash them until they are softened. Then, add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt to the bananas and mix together using a spoon until well combined. Lastly, add in the flour, and mix until incorporated.
2. Fry Bananas – Heat butter and oil in a non-stick skillet and drop generous spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry on each side until golden-brown and crisp around the edges (about 3-4 minutes per side).
3. Drain Oil & Serve – Remove from oil and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil, serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Substitutions and Tips
- Plantains – if you don’t have bananas, use ripen plantains instead.
- Egg – I love flat, thin banana fritters. If you want a fuller, even fluffier fritter, add egg to the recipe. This ensures the fritter rises when cooked. This impacts the texture but does not alter the flavour.
- Jamaican Coconut Banana Fritters – for a naturally sweet flavor and chewier texture, add shredded coconut to the batter.
Serving Suggestions and Tips
Here are some delicious ways to serve Jamaican banana fritters:
- As is, with a side of ice cream.
- A side to a simple breakfast with sausage, bacon, and eggs.
- Topped with jam, powdered sugar, condensed milk, melted chocolate, or caramel sauce.
- Added to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Recipe Notes and Tips for Success
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter the fritters. If the bananas are not ripe enough, you may need to add more sugar. There is also a chance that the fritters will taste bitter.
- If time permits, let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes. It will have a smoother texture which results in light, crispy fritters.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying. If it isn’t, the batter will absorb the oil and the fritters won’t be crispy. The best temperature for frying foods is between 350°F and 375°F.
- Do not submerge the fritters in oil. It should not cover the entire fritter or your fritters will come out soggy.
- Flip the fritters when bubbles appear at the top and the sides are golden brown.
- Jamaican banana fritters cook very quickly. Watch the pan closely so they don’t burn.
Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
Jamaican banana fritters are best served immediately. But you can prepare the batter in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before using.
Storage Instructions
Although these are best served fresh, you can store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
Reheat leftover Jamaican banana fritters in a frying pan over low heat or in an oven at 375°F for 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave because the fritters will become soggy.
Watch My Story Below for Step-by-Step Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Traditional Jamaican banana fritters contain ripe bananas, flour, brown sugar, spices, and oil for frying.
No, but ripe bananas are ideal for this recipe. If you don’t use ripe bananas, you will need to use more sugar to get a similar taste.
Although bananas can be a healthy snack, when you fry them, there are significantly more calories. This is definitely an indulgence, to be enjoyed on occasion. If you want to make them healthier, you can use less oil, omit the sugar and butter, and air fry or bake them instead.
Interested in more Jamaican Recipes? Check These Out!
- Coco Bread
- Jamaican Beef Patty
- Jamaican Curry Chicken
- Gungo Peas Soup
- Ackee and Saltfish
- Brown Stew Fish
- Jamaican Oxtail Recipe
- Jerk Chicken Sandwich
- How to Soak Fruit for Christmas Cake
- Easy Jamaican Pigeon “Gungo” Peas and Rice
- Jamaican Pickled Vegetables (Escovitch Sauce)
- Jamaican Curry Shrimp (Seafood)
- Quick & Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken
- Jamaican Rasta Pasta
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Jamaican Banana Fritters
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Non-stick skillet
Ingredients
- 4 whole Ripe Bananas mashed
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 4 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Oil and Butter for frying
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, add bananas and use a fork to mash them until they are softened. Then, add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt to the bananas and mix together using a spoon until well combined. Lastly, add in the flour, and mix until incorporated.
- Heat butter and oil in a non-stick skillet and drop generous spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry on each side until golden-brown and crisp around the edges (about 3-4 minutes per side).
- Remove from oil and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil, serve warm and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter the fritters. If the bananas are not ripe enough, you may need to add more sugar. There is also a chance that the fritters will taste bitter.
- If time permits, let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes. It will have a smoother texture which results in light, crispy fritters.
- Do not submerge the fritters in oil. It should not cover the entire fritter or your fritters will come out soggy.
- Flip the fritters when bubbles appear at the top and the sides are golden brown.
2 Comments
Roxanne
March 12, 2023 at 12:48 pmTasted amazing and so easy to make!
Taneisha Morris
March 14, 2023 at 8:07 amAwesome!! Thanks so much!!