Satisfy your sweet tooth with Bananaque, a popular Filipino street food that’s as easy to make as it is irresistible. This beloved snack features ripe saba bananas, fried to golden perfection in sizzling vegetable oil, then coated in a luscious layer of caramelized brown sugar. Skewered on bamboo sticks for easy eating, Bananaque combines crisp, caramelized sweetness with the tender, natural flavor of bananas for a treat that's perfect for snacking or dessert. Ready in just 25 minutes and ideal for sharing, this recipe is a delightful way to experience authentic Filipino flavors right in your kitchen.
Peel the saba bananas and set them aside. If the bananas are too long, you can cut them in half for easier frying and handling.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of banana; it should sizzle immediately upon contact.
Carefully add the peeled bananas into the hot oil using tongs or a slotted spoon to avoid splattering. Fry the bananas for 2-3 minutes on one side until they start to turn golden brown.
Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the bananas in the hot oil. Let the sugar melt and caramelize around the bananas, turning them occasionally to ensure even coating. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes until the bananas are fully coated in caramel and have a rich, golden brown color.
Once the bananas are caramelized, carefully remove them from the hot oil using tongs or a slotted spoon. Allow any excess oil to drip off.
Let the bananas cool slightly until they are safe to handle but still warm enough for the caramel to adhere to the skewers.
Insert a bamboo skewer through each pair of banana halves for easy eating, usually two pieces per skewer.
Allow the bananaque to cool further on a wire rack or a plate lined with parchment paper before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade bananaque as a sweet snack or dessert!
Calories |
4867 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 419.9 g | 538% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.3 g | 301% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 268.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 47 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 328.1 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.8 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 224.7 g | ||
| Protein | 7.8 g | 16% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 150 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 2797 mg | 60% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.