Allow me to put it simply…
I love it hot.
I love it fried.
I want to do the right thing.
But I’m such a sucker for bad boys food.
There’s no sugar coating it. Deep fried foods are bad news. But I tremble at the mere mention of fried chicken, KFC, fish and chips and deep fried mars bars. Oh bestill my oil-soaked heart! I will never be a poster child for good nutrition but I am slowly adapting to the old adage of ‘everything in moderation’. But what is it about a piping hot fried banana that sends shivers down my spine? It’s pure magic.
These days, instead of dipping bananas in a stodgy batter and frying it into a greasy fritter, I crumb it. It’s still not going to win points in the nutritional pageant but it’s definitely a more ‘lighter’ alternative. The coating of crumbs also means that the bananas stay crispier for longer and without the dangerous descent into soggy sponge territory. If you can, use Japanese Panko breadcrumbs for ultimate crispy heaven.
Nothing beats the combo of hot crispy bananas with cold creamy ice cream. I usually opt for vanilla but ever since I found this awesome coconut ice cream recipe through David Lebovitz (which he in turn, adapted from a cookbook from my other favourite blogger Delicious Days), there was no turning back. It’s quick, easy, uses only three ingredients and there’s not one egg in sight. Everything about this dessert blows my elastic-wasted pants off.
Coconut Crumbed Bananas
Not so much a recipe but a guidance. You’ll need:
About 3 large ripe but firm bananas. The size of your fruit is, of course, your choice ;)
Plain flour
1 large egg beaten with about a tablespoon of coconut milk
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs (Japanese Panko is best)
1/2 dried shredded coconut
Canola or Sunflower oil
Method
Mix the breadcrumbs and coconut until combined in a dish and set aside.
Peel and cut the bananas in half and set aside.
Place oil in the pot about 1.5 – 2 inches thick and heat up to 180°C. Oil is ready when a cube of bread turns golden brown in about 15-30 seconds. Another way to test is to stick the handle of a wooden spoon or wooden chopsticks in. If it starts to bubble around the spoon immediately then it’s ready.
Simple rule for deep-frying – if the oil is too hot, the outside will burn and cook too fast without the insides heating up adequately. Too cold and food will be greasy and heavy.
Coat the banana halves with the flour, patting off the excess. Then dip it in the egg mixture before dropping it on the crumbs to coat. If you wish to double coat it for extra crunch, dip it back into the egg wash and crumb it again.
Drop it gently into the hot oil and deep fry, turning it once until it’s golden all over. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Continue with the remaining bananas.
Do I need to tell you the next step? Proceed to eat.
Quick Coconut Ice Cream
Makes around 1 litre
320ml pure cream (heavy cream or any around 35% fat content)
500ml coconut milk *
120g palm sugar **
* My favourite brands are Kara and Ayam. Just make sure it says 100% coconut extract in the ingredients list.
** Make sure the palm sugar is grated or chopped so it’ll melt easier. Can be substituted with brown sugar.
Method
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat, and chill the mixture thoroughly (preferably overnight).
Once chilled, freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Voila! How friggin’ easy was that?
Ice cream adapted from a recipe from Delicious Days by Nicole Stich (via David Lebovitz).
Fry baby fry!






{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
I really like this! looks so delicious
have a nice time,
Paula
Oh wow. Panko is a genius idea for this.
I don't even have words to describe how much I want this!
You photographed it really well, too! I love the texture contrast :)
Wow those Bananas look scrumptious. I'm a lover of all things tropical and would love this dish.
love the coconut icecream recipe! so quick and easy…hehehe i got to panko deep frying this week too ..but im sure you'll see ;)
banana fritters remind me of dodgy australianised chinese resturants… *giggles*
Great post! I’m looking to make some changes in my own eating habits and learning to cook, so I appreciate your insight a lot! Thank you. I recently stumbled upon this blog like I did yours and I thought your readers may appreciate it: http://burisonthecouch.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/f…
I’ve started to look for their stuff more regularly and I think I’m going to add your blog to my list as well. Thanks for the post!
this is such a lovely recipe ! the bananas look so good. i never thought of using crumbs! It must have gone well with the coconut ice cream. Wonderful :)
Mmmm… Delicious! OMG how easy is that coconut icecream!
This looks and sounds delicious. I always make sure I've got panko breadcrumbs in my larder too. And as for the coconut ice cream, heaven in a bowl.
Did you see my recent post on a banana dessert http://debskitchencreations.blogspot.com/2010/10/…
looks freakin' good! coconut crumbs with coconut ice cream = coconut heaven! yum!
Great idea to use panko! I love fried foods… must be the whole Asian thing… ughh.. but oh so good!
"Deep fried Mars Bars" you have not been to Scotland on a visit have you? as this is a morsel normally only found there!! If you get Cadbury's cream eggs in OZ then try one of them……….. Oooooooooooooh really not good for you but, yummmmmm
here's a variation my mom makes – she deep fries the bananas, then melts sugar and covers the banana so what you have is a crusty sugar fried banana dessert!
I also totally have a thing for deep fried things and especially bananas! I'm that one shameful Asian person who pretty much always orders banana fritters for dessert lol… yes, yours is a "healthier" option and look at it sizzling away in the oil… :)
That looks delicious! I might have to make this tomorrow.
Takes bananas to a new level
That ice cream looks so simple and the bananas are a brilliant addition – thanks.
We've been hitting the deep fryer too, wonder if it's a trend? These look fabulous and yes I order the fried banana at chinese restaurants too!!! :)
Heaven in a bowl. Crunchy, hot, sweet, cold. I want some
Who needs ordinary breadcrumbs when you can Panko the thing!! Briliant idea and looks delicious too! :)
Oh man this looks so good – cripsy + with coconut *drool*
Oh baby, deep fried bananas sooooooo good!
Yum that Ice cream sounds so good and easy. I love recipes with minimal ingredients.
Good to see you are back with a vengence Karen!
Thank you so much Paula!
Aww thanks so much! Means a lot coming from you :)
Tropical rules! Especially since Summer is nearly here… I can't wait to get started on summer food!
Yup I sure did! I can't believe it took me this long to discover panko!
LOL but guiltily, I've always found them addictive. And sometimes, a girl needs a fried rice from dodgy chinese restaurants hahaha!
No worries Amy and thank you so much from dropping in :D
I don't think I can go back to greasy batters again for bananas hehe. Thanks so much!
I know! If only ALL ice cream recipes were this simple :(
Thanks Debs!
Hehe thank you! x
Hehe I know! Why does something sooo good have to be soooooo bad? :(
No sadly I have never been to Scotland yet :( But deep fried mars bars have indeed migrated over to Oz and we've been enjoying them for years hehe. Sooooo devilishly good!
Cadbury Creme Eggs would just be off the scale decadence!
Oh my that sounds wicked! But you know that I just have to try that now! YUM.
LOL not sure how much healthier… but whatever helps me to sleep at night hahaha!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
Hehe I couldn't have put it better myself. Thanks so much!
No worries! Thank you!
Hehehe or maybe everybody's getting the same cravings. Go the fried bananas at chinese restaurants! And the fried ice cream too!
Thank you John! Now go get yourself some :)
II can't believe it took me sooo long to discover Panko! Don't think I can go back to ordinary breadcrumbs anymore. Thanks so much!
Thank you lovely!
LOL go get some Richard! And make me some while you're at it. I'm out of oil.
Me too. I'm a sucker for easy-peasy recipes. If only they were all like it hehe. Thank you!
Hahaha I'm trying. I'm trying! Slow and steady… :P
Thanks so much GG! x
Sounds FAB! Yum :)
Anything fried is delicious….and this is no exception!!
happensafterfive.wordpress.com
I just made these tonight and oh my goodness were they a hit and so fun to make when you are having a mid week dinner with friends
Hehe funny that I saw this not long after the night of the Nuffnang party, Mum made banana fritters that day and I couldn't resist grabbing a freshly fried fritter to scoff before running out of the house. I love the adaption of using Panko Crumbs, may have to suggest it to Mum for next time ;)
Oh noeee you've started of cravings for pisang goreng…. This looks amazing, pure genius to use panko breadcrumbs. And I totally agree that deep fried foods are awesome. :D
thats such a good summer snack, the panko crumb just bring the thigns to a whole new level!.
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