Tasty Banana Dishes From Around the World

Tasty Banana Dishes From Around the World

Anmita Das

·Food

When it comes to affordable and widely available foods, few can compete with bananas’ popularity worldwide. You can not only eat it raw but also can make various dishes out of it. Different countries make different dishes. But which one does the best? 

If you have ever had this question before, this article is for you. We’ve gathered a collection of easy and tasty banana dishes from around the world for you to try in order to help you get the most out of them.

This selection of banana recipes includes everything from bread to smoothies, pancakes to puddings, and much more from around the world. It also includes all the delicious morning dishes you could expect.

By reading through all of these wonderful ideas, you won’t ever think again, “What can I make with bananas today?” So, let’s begin! 

Thailand

Thailand is known for its vibrant and flavorful cuisine. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Thailand:

Thai Banana Pancakes (Roti Gluay)

Roti Gluay, also known as Thai Banana Pancakes, are sweet and crunchy street food pancakes. Slices of ripe banana are placed into a dough made of flour, sugar, and condensed milk, which is then stretched out and baked on a griddle. They are often covered with chocolate sauce or sweetened condensed milk and served hot.

Thai Banana Pancakes (Roti Gluay)
Thai Banana Pancakes (Roti Gluay)

Thai Banana Coconut Soup (Kluay Buat Chi)

The Thai dessert kluay buat chi is quite calming. Slices of ripe bananas are cooked in coconut syrup with palm sugar, optional pandan leaves, and palm oil. A warm, aromatic banana coconut soup is the end product, which is often served with a dollop of coconut cream on top.

Thai Banana Coconut Soup (Kluay Buat Chi)
Thai Banana Coconut Soup (Kluay Buat Chi)

These mouthwatering banana dishes perfectly represent the tastes and textures that make Thai food so delectable.

Brazil

Brazil is known for its rich culinary heritage, and bananas play a prominent role in many traditional Brazilian dishes. Here are a couple of popular banana dishes from Brazil:

Brazilian Banana Cake (Bolo de Banana)

Bolo de Banana, or Brazilian Banana Cake, is a tasty and moist cake baked with ripe bananas. It features a soft crumb and a little cinnamon flavor. Banana slices are often stacked on top for an aesthetically pleasing effect. It’s a delicious delicacy that can be savored at any time of day.

Brazilian Banana Cake (Bolo de Banana)
Brazilian Banana Cake (Bolo de Banana)

Brazilian Banana Fritters (Banana Frita)

Banana Frita, often known as banana fritters, are a well-liked street food snack. The uncomplicated batter is used to cover ripe bananas, which are then deep-fried till crispy and golden. They make a tasty fast treat since they are sweet and squishy on the inside.

Brazilian Banana Fritters (Banana Frita)
Brazilian Banana Fritters (Banana Frita)

Brazil’s love of bananas in both cakes and fritters can be seen in these delicious banana dishes.

India

India, with its vast and diverse culinary traditions, offers a delightful array of banana-based dishes. Here are a few popular banana dishes from India:

Banana Bonda

Ripe bananas and a delicious batter are the main ingredients in the well-known South Indian snack known as banana bonda. Spices like cumin, ginger, and chile are added to mashed bananas before being dipped in a chickpea flour batter and coated. Deep-frying creates a golden, crispy exterior for the covered banana balls. A delicious blend of sweet and savory tastes, a soft and moist inside, and a crispy outside are the end results.

Banana Bonda
Banana Bonda

Pazham Pori

A favorite food from Kerala in South India, Pazham Pori, is also referred to as Ethakka Appam. It comprises seasoned battered ripe bananas that are deep-fried till golden brown. Usually, rice flour, all-purpose flour, turmeric, sugar, and a little amount of cardamom powder are combined to make the batter.

Pazham Pori
Pazham Pori

Kele ki Sabzi

An Indian dish cooked with raw or semi-ripe bananas is called kele ki sabzi. It is simple yet tasty. Sliced bananas are cooked in a tangy and hot gravy comprised of tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and a variety of fragrant spices. Curry leaves, cumin seeds, and mustard seeds are often used to season the meal, giving it a unique taste.

Kele ki Sabzi
Kele ki Sabzi

Jamaica

Jamaica is a Caribbean paradise known for its vibrant culture and delectable cuisine. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Jamaica:

Jamaican Banana Fritters

Jamaican Banana Fritters are a delicious and simple to prepare snack or dessert. Bananas that are ripe are mashed and blended with milk, flour, sugar, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The mixture is then cooked until it becomes golden brown, producing fritters that are soft and crispy on the exterior. These delicious fritters are often eaten as a morning treat or as a filling snack all day long.

Jamaican Banana Fritters
Jamaican Banana Fritters

Jamaican Steamed Banana

A simple but tasty side dish often served with traditional Jamaican dinners is Jamaican Steamed Banana. Peeled ripe bananas are steamed till soft using a gentle steaming method. The bananas are smooth and velvety to the touch, and the steaming procedure brings even more of their inherent sweetness.

Jamaican Steamed Banana
Jamaican Steamed Banana

Jamaican Banana Bread

Jamaican Banana Bread is a tasty and moist variant of traditional banana bread. In addition to fragrant herbs like cinnamon and nutmeg, it is created with mashed ripe bananas, flour, sugar, and butter. Walnuts or raisins are optional additives that may be used to enhance texture and taste.

Jamaican Banana Bread
Jamaican Banana Bread

Jamaica’s rich culinary tradition and innovative usage of bananas in its lively cuisine are reflected in these delicious banana recipes.

Philippines

Here are a few popular banana dishes from the Philippines:

Turon

Ripe bananas are coated in brown sugar, wrapped in spring roll wrappers, then deep-fried till golden and crispy to make the popular Filipino delicacy known as turon. A beautiful tactile contrast is produced by the caramelized bananas and the crisp wrapper. Turon is a delicious merienda (snack) choice and is often eaten as a sweet treat on its own or with a dollop of ice cream.

Turon
Turon

Banana Cue

In the Philippines, the banana cue is a well-liked street meal. A glossy coating of caramelized brown sugar is applied on skewered, ripe bananas before they are deep-fried. The outcome is a delightful crunch and a sweet, sticky snack.

Banana Cue
Banana Cue

Saba Con Yelo

The Filipino delicacy Saba Con Yelo is prepared with cooked and sweetened saba bananas, crushed ice, evaporated milk, and garnishes like tapioca pearls or leche flan (caramel custard). The dessert is put together by stacking the components in a glass to produce a vibrant and delicious treat.

Saba Con Yelo
Saba Con Yelo

These mouthwatering Filipino banana dishes show the country’s fondness for bananas as a flexible component, whether in sweet snacks, desserts, or refreshing delights.

Ecuador

Ecuador, a country blessed with abundant tropical fruits, including bananas, boasts a culinary scene brimming with flavor and creativity. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Ecuador:

Bolón de Verde

The traditional Ecuadorian cuisine known as “Bolón de Verde” is prepared with green plantains and often eaten as a filling breakfast or side dish. In order to make balls, green plantains are mashed, blended with cheese, and sometimes pig cracklings or chorizo. The balls are then cooked till crisp and golden on the exterior and soft and flavorful on the inside.

Bolón de Verde
Bolón de Verde

Humitas de Verde

Humitas de Verde are a common tamale-like meal in Ecuador. An onion, cheese, and sometimes herbs are added to freshly ground corn kernels before being wrapped in corn husks. After that, the packages are steamed or boiled until fully done. The outcome is a delicious, aromatic corn cake with a hint of sweetness.

Humitas de Verde
Humitas de Verde

Arroz con Menestra y Maduro

A traditional Ecuadorian meal called arroz with Menestra y Maduro comprises three ingredients: rice, menestra (beans), and maduro (ripe plantains). The menestra is a stew of beans that is often spiced with onions, garlic, and herbs, while the rice is prepared with spices and sometimes vegetables. To complement the savory rice and beans, ripe plantains are cut into slices and cooked till golden.

Arroz con Menestra y Maduro
Arroz con Menestra y Maduro

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, with its lush rainforests and tropical climate, offers a bounty of flavors, including the beloved banana. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Costa Rica:

Gallo Pinto

A traditional Costa Rican morning meal called gallo pinto often has bananas added for taste. It is made out of rice and black beans that have been cooked with various spices, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Sliced, ripe bananas are added to the mixture, which adds a hint of sweetness and improves the dish’s overall taste profile.

Gallo Pinto
Gallo Pinto

Plátanos Maduros

Ripe plantains, also known as platanos maduros, are a common ingredient in Costa Rican cooking. They are often included in meals as ingredients or as a side dish. Sliced, golden, and caramelized ripe plantains provide a pleasantly sweet and soft side dish for savory dishes. Plátanos Maduros are often eaten as a wonderful side dish with rice, beans, grilled meats, or alone by themselves.

Banana Bread

Banana Bread is a well-liked sweet in Costa Rica since it offers a delectable option to use overripe bananas. Bananas that have been mashed, flour, sugar, eggs, and optional extras like almonds or chocolate chips are used to make the bread. A delicious loaf with a deep banana taste is produced by baking the ingredients until it is moist and aromatic. 

These delicious Costa Rican banana dishes showcase their inventive uses in cooking, whether as a flavorful primary ingredient or as a sweet side dish to go with savory meals.

Australia

Australia, a country of varied topography and cuisine, has an unexpected obsession with bananas. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Australia:

Australian Banana Bread

In Australia, banana bread is a popular delicacy that’s eaten for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert. The bread is created using eggs, flour, sugar, and mashed ripe bananas. Nuts or chocolate chips are often included as well. A delicious loaf with a deep banana taste is produced by baking the ingredients until it is moist and aromatic. Typically served sliced, Australian banana bread may be eaten plain or smeared with butter or cream cheese.

Banana Lamingtons

Banana Lamingtons put a fruity spin on this traditional Australian delicacy, which is known as Lamington. Squares of banana-flavored sponge cake are rolled in desiccated coconut and covered in a layer of chocolate frosting. The outcome is a delicious blend of banana’s tropical taste, creamy chocolate, and soft sponge cake. Banana Lamingtons are often offered at gatherings, at afternoon tea, or as a special treat.

Banoffee Pie

The classic dish known as banoffee pie was first made in England but has since become more well-known in Australia. It comprises layers of sliced bananas, toffee or caramel sauce, and whipped cream within a buttery biscuit or pastry shell. A rich and sumptuous dish is produced by combining sweet caramel, creamy bananas, and luxurious whipped cream. Popular desserts like Banoffee Pie are often served at events or savored as a special dessert after a meal.

Mexico

Bananas have a particular position in the cuisine of Mexico, a nation known for its lively culture and strong flavors. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Mexico:

Plátanos Machos Rellenos

Stuffed plantains, also known as plátanos machos rellenos, are a delectable and flavorful delicacy from Mexico. A tasty filling made of seasoned ground pork, cheese, and spices is placed into ripe plantains that have been sliced lengthwise. Once the mixture is fully cooked through and the plantains are golden, they are either baked or fried. 

Choco Banana

The Mexican street snack and dessert known as “choco banana” is sometimes referred to as “chocolate-covered bananas.” Ripe bananas are skewered, covered with different toppings like almonds, sprinkles, or shredded coconut, and then dipped in molten chocolate (typically dark or milk chocolate). The silky, sweet chocolate and the creamy banana create a delicious contrast when the chocolate coating solidifies.

Camote con Plátano en Dulce

Traditional Mexican dish Camote with Plátano en Dulce mixes sweet potatoes and bananas in a syrupy caramel sauce. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and water are cooked with sliced sweet potatoes and bananas until they are soft and have absorbed the flavorful caramel. This warm dessert, which offers a delicious medley of tastes and textures, is often offered as a sweet conclusion to dinner.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a cultural and gastronomic melting pot, and its foods reflect this rich variety. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Malaysia:

Pisang Goreng

Fried bananas, also known as pisang goreng, are a popular Malaysian delicacy that both residents and tourists appreciate. A batter composed of flour, rice flour, and perhaps a little turmeric for color is used to coat ripe bananas. Bananas coated in the batter are deep-fried till golden and crispy, creating a delicious contrast between a sweet, soft inside and a crunchy outside. 

Cendol

Shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and a variety of toppings combine to make the famous Malaysian delicacy called cendol. The cendol, which are green, jelly-like strands composed of rice flour and scented with pandan leaf essence, is one of the essential ingredients. Ripe banana slices are often added to the dish, adding a creamy and sweet flavor that goes well with the other components.

Kuih Kodok

A common Malaysian snack known as Kuih Kodok, sometimes called Banana Fritters, is prepared with mashed ripe bananas and a batter comprised of flour, sugar, and a dash of salt. After that, spoonfuls of the batter are placed into the heated oil and cooked till crisp and golden. These delicious fritters feature a soft, moist inside with ripe banana taste that has a hint of caramelization.

Cameroon

Cameroon is a nation in central Africa with a rich cultural history and varied cuisine. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Cameroon:

Ndole

Ndole is a classic Cameroonian cuisine made of ripe plantains, bitter-leaf vegetables, and groundnuts (peanuts). The bitter leaf is cooked with groundnuts, palm oil, spices, and sometimes meat or fish after being boiled to lessen its bitterness. Rich and savory Ndole is sometimes served with ripe plantains as a sweet and starchy accompaniment. This meal, a mainstay of Cameroonian cooking, is cherished for its distinctive fusion of tastes and textures. 

Banana Beignets

In Cameroon, banana fritters, commonly referred to as banana beignets, are a preferred snack or dessert. Mashed ripe bananas are combined with flour, sugar, eggs, and seasonings like cinnamon or nutmeg. Once formed into little balls, the mixture is deep-fried until brown and crispy. The outcome is a delightfully flavorful fritter that is sweet and fluffy. With a cup of tea or coffee, banana beignets are often eaten as a treat.

Ekwang

A typical meal from Cameroon’s Southwest is called ekwang. A number of ingredients, including palm oil, smoked fish, crayfish, spices, and sometimes meat or vegetables, are cooked together to create this substantial and savory meal, which is created with grated cocoyam and wrapped in a banana leaf. In order to cook the grated cocoyam mixture, it is either formed into little balls or wrapped in banana leaves

These wonderful Cameroonian banana dishes show the nation’s culinary variety and the inventive ways in which bananas are used in both savory and sweet dishes, showing the region’s robust tastes and cultural history.

Colombia

In addition to its beautiful scenery and thriving culture, Colombia is home to a wide variety of delicious foods. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Colombia:

Patacones

Tostones, sometimes referred to as patacones, are a common side dish in Colombia prepared from green plantains. The plantains are sliced, then flattened and deep-fried one again to provide a wonderfully crunchy texture. Patacones are often offered as a savory side dish to dishes like grilled meats or stews. 

Bananada

A sweet and chewy Colombian treat called a bananada is fashioned from ripe bananas. Bananas are mashed and boiled with sugar until the mixture thickens and takes on the consistency of sticky caramel. After being sliced into bite-sized pieces, the finished Bananada is relished as a delightful sweet treat. It is popular for its silky texture and rich banana taste and is often seen in local stores.

Arequipe con Banano

Arequipe with Banano is a wonderful Colombian dish that mixes arequipe (dulce de leche) and bananas, two well-liked ingredients. Arequipe is a sweetened condensed milk-based caramel sauce that is rich and creamy. It is used to make a delicious and scrumptious dessert that is poured over sliced, ripe bananas. A great marriage exists between the naturally sweet bananas and the silky, decadent caramel.

Haiti

A Caribbean gem with a fascinating past and lively customs, Haiti is also renowned for its delicious cuisine. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Haiti:

Banane Pesée

Fried ripe plantains, commonly known as bananas pésée, are a mainstay of Haitian cuisine. Plantains are cooked till golden and caramelized after being cut crosswise. A wonderfully sweet and delicate side dish or snack is the ultimate product. Banane Pesée adds a delicious contrast of tastes and textures to savory Haitian dishes like griot (fried pig) or tasso (seasoned turkey).

Akra

Grated malanga (taro root), mashed ripe bananas, and different spices are used to make akra, a typical Haitian appetizer. Small fritters are made from the mixture, which is then deep-fried till crispy and golden. The bananas give the akra fritters a somewhat sweet undertone that makes them savory and tasty. They are often eaten as a snack on the street or during get-togethers.

Bannann Peze ak Pwason

Fried Plantains with Fish, also known as Bannann Peze ak Pwason, is a common Haitian meal that mixes the savory tastes of seasoned fried fish with the sweet flavors of fried plantains. Crispy fried fish is served with slices of caramelized, ripe plantains that have been cooked till golden. The sweetness of the plantains balances the salty and sour tones of the fish, creating a delicious contrast of textures and flavors in the meal.

Sri Lanka

The island nation of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean is well-known for its breathtaking scenery and delicious spices. Here are a few popular banana dishes from Sri Lanka:

Boli

Boli, commonly referred to as banana fritters, is a popular sweet dish in Sri Lanka. In addition to flour, sugar, cardamom, and sometimes shredded coconut, ripe bananas are mashed and combined. After being formed into little patties or balls, the mixture is deep-fried until brown and crispy. Boli has a lovely crunch on the exterior and a smooth, sweet inside. During festive events and festivals, it is often eaten as a snack or presented as a dessert.

Kesel Muwa

A distinctive and flavorful meal known as Kesel Muwa, or Banana Flower Salad, is created from the edible blooms of banana plants. A mixture of shredded coconut, minced onions, green chilies, lime juice, and other spices is added to thinly sliced banana flowers. The salad has a variety of textures and tastes, with the freshness of coconut and the tanginess of lime contrasting with the soft and somewhat bitter banana blossom. 

Ambul Thiyal

A staple dish from Sri Lanka’s coastal districts, ambul thiyal is often made with fish. Fish pieces are cooked in this dish’s tangy, flavorful sauce, which is comprised with garcinia cambogia, spices, and coconut oil. The natural sweetness of the ripe bananas that are added to the pot helps to temper the dish’s well-known sour and spicy characteristics. The overall flavor of the meal is given a nice twist by the bananas, which take on the acidic notes of the sauce.

Conclusion 

What a wide range of banana recipes there are! Your favorite fruit can be used in a huge variety of ways. With a taste as delectable as the common banana, it’s difficult to get lost in translation. So give some of these dishes a try at home if you want to tour banana dishes from around the world straight from your kitchen!

We hope that this article motivates you to experiment and be more inventive in the kitchen.

Anmita Das's profile picture

Anmita Das

Blogger and Web Developer

Anmita Das is an EEE graduate from CUET and a dedicated web developer. Alongside her professional work, she has a passion for blogging and enjoys writing on a wide range of topics. Anmita believes in spreading real, reliable information through her blogs, helping readers gain knowledge and insights on various subjects.