Bananas Foster Crisp Recipe

The Best Bananas Foster Crisp Recipe for Sweet Tooth Bliss

Sweet and caramelized bananas foster crisp revolutionizes ordinary dessert expectations with its rich, decadent profile.

Warm spices mingle effortlessly through layers of comfort and indulgence, creating a sensory experience that tantalizes taste buds.

crisp textures contrast beautifully against soft, melting fruit components in this nostalgic treat.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert brings restaurant-quality sophistication directly to home kitchens with minimal effort.

Caribbean-inspired flavors dance across each carefully crafted bite, promising a memorable culinary adventure.

Rum-infused caramel notes elevate the entire dish beyond traditional fruit-based desserts, offering complex depth and nuanced sweetness.

Complex yet accessible, this recipe bridges sophisticated technique with homestyle warmth.

Bananas Foster Crisp That Brings Caramelized Comfort

  • Decadent Flavor Explosion: Dive into a mouthwatering dessert that combines the rich, caramelized taste of bananas foster with the comforting crunch of a classic crisp, creating an irresistible symphony of sweet and buttery flavors.
  • Texture Sensation: Experience the perfect contrast between silky, rum-infused bananas and a crispy, nutty topping that delivers a delightful crackle with every single bite.
  • Quick and Easy Comfort: Whip up this impressive dessert in under an hour, making it an ideal last-minute treat for unexpected guests or a spontaneous family dessert night that requires minimal cooking skills.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or a cozy weekend indulgence, this dessert transforms simple ingredients into an elegant and crowd-pleasing sweet treat that everyone will adore.

What You’ll Need for Bananas Foster Crisp

Bananas and Base:
  • Bananas: Ripe, sweet fruit that creates the luscious base of the dessert, best when soft but not overly mushy.
  • Butter: Rich dairy ingredient for greasing and adding flavor, unsalted preferred for better control of saltiness.
Caramel Sauce Components:
  • Heavy Cream: Smooth, rich dairy product that helps create a silky caramel sauce.
  • Brown Sugar: Deep, molasses-flavored sweetener that adds complex sweetness and rich color.
  • Corn Syrup: Helps prevent sugar crystallization and provides glossy texture to the sauce.
  • Rum: Classic flavor enhancer that adds warmth and depth to the bananas foster mixture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic ingredient that rounds out and intensifies the dessert's overall flavor.
Crisp Topping Ingredients:
  • Oats: Hearty grain that provides texture and nutty base for the crisp topping.
  • Flour: Binding agent that helps create structure in the topping.
  • Walnuts: Crunchy nut that adds rich, earthy texture and complementary flavor.
  • Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the sweet profile of the dessert.
  • Salt: Flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness of the dish.

How to Bake Bananas Foster Crisp with a Crunchy Top

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

  • Crank the oven to 350°F
  • Grab a 1 1/2 to 2-quart baking dish
  • Brush the dish with melted butter
  • Set the dish aside

Step 2: Create Caramel Banana Magic

Ingredients for sauce:
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Corn syrup
  • Brown sugar
  • Rum
  • Vanilla extract
  • Bananas

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Blend in cream, corn syrup, and brown sugar until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and swirl in rum and vanilla. Gently fold banana slices into the luscious mixture until they’re completely coated.

Step 3: Spread the Banana Goodness

Pour the banana mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 4: Craft the Crunchy Topping

Ingredients for topping:
  • Oats
  • Brown sugar
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Cold butter
  • Chopped walnuts

Mix oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Use a pastry blender to work in cold butter until the mixture looks like rough pebbles. Toss in chopped walnuts and mix well.

Step 5: Layer the Crispy Top

Sprinkle the walnut-studded topping across the banana base, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the edges bubble with excitement.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the crisp rest for 5 minutes. Top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

Tips for Getting Bananas Foster Crisp Just Right

  • Banana Selection Mastery: Choose ripe, slightly soft bananas with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and deeper caramel flavor.
  • Rum Enhancement Trick: For a non-alcoholic version, swap rum with maple syrup or bourbon vanilla extract to maintain rich depth.
  • Topping Texture Secret: Ensure cold butter is fully incorporated into dry ingredients for a perfectly crumbly, crisp topping that doesn't melt too quickly.
  • Baking Dish Pro Tip: Use a ceramic or glass dish to help distribute heat evenly and prevent burning the delicate banana mixture.
  • Serving Temperature Hack: Serve slightly warm to maximize the contrast between the hot, caramelized bananas and cold vanilla ice cream for an ultimate dessert experience.

Best Storage Tips for Bananas Foster Crisp

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover Bananas Foster Crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to maintain freshness.
  • Reheat in Oven: Warm the crisp in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from burning while ensuring the dessert heats evenly.
  • Microwave Option: Quickly reheat individual portions for 30-45 seconds. Note that microwaving may slightly soften the crisp topping's crunchiness, so the oven method is preferred for maintaining texture.

Pairing Ideas for Bananas Foster Crisp

  • Pair with Caramel Rum Cocktail: Mix dark rum, caramel liqueur, and a splash of cream to echo the dessert's rich, decadent flavors. The drink's warmth and sweetness complement the bananas foster crisp perfectly.
  • Match with Cinnamon Espresso: Brew a strong espresso with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. The coffee's robust notes will cut through the dessert's sweetness while highlighting the warm spice undertones.
  • Serve with Nutty Cream Liqueur: Choose a walnut or hazelnut cream liqueur served chilled. Its creamy texture and nutty profile will harmonize beautifully with the crisp's walnut topping and caramelized banana base.
  • Complement with Spiced Chai: Prepare a creamy chai tea with extra cinnamon and nutmeg. The warming spices will dance alongside the dessert's complex flavor profile, creating a comforting and indulgent experience.

Ways to Switch Up Your Bananas Foster Crisp

  • Tropical Paradise Crisp: Replace bananas with a mix of mango, pineapple, and passion fruit for a vibrant Caribbean-inspired dessert that bursts with exotic flavors.
  • Caramel Apple Crunch: Swap bananas for sliced apples, add a splash of calvados, and sprinkle extra cinnamon to create a cozy autumn-inspired version of the classic crisp.
  • Boozy Berry Bliss: Substitute bananas with mixed berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, then splash in some kirsch or grand marnier for an elegant grown-up dessert that's packed with fruity richness.
  • Nutty Coconut Crisp: Enhance the topping by adding shredded coconut and replacing walnuts with macadamia nuts, creating a tropical-inspired crisp with extra crunch and nutty depth.
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Bananas Foster Crisp Recipe

Bananas Foster Crisp Recipe


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4.6 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Louisiana’s beloved bananas foster crisp brings classic New Orleans flavors to a delightful dessert. Caramelized bananas and buttery streusel topping meld into a warm, rich treat you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 bananas, medium, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120 milliliters)
  • ⅓ cup light corn syrup (80 milliliters)
  • 6 tablespoons dark rum (90 milliliters)

Sugars and Sweeteners:

  • ⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed (135 grams)
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed (150 grams)

Baking and Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats (not instant) (90 grams)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 grams)
  • ½ cup cold salted butter, cubed (115 grams)
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter (60 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter (for greasing baking dish) (15 grams)
  • ½ cup roughly chopped walnuts (60 grams)

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Serving:

  • Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a baking dish with melted butter, ensuring complete coverage for smooth removal.
  2. Create a luxurious caramel sauce in a skillet by melting butter and whisking together heavy cream, corn syrup, and brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
  3. Carefully remove the skillet from heat and infuse the sauce with rum and vanilla extract, creating a rich, aromatic base.
  4. Gently fold banana slices into the warm caramel mixture, allowing each slice to become thoroughly coated with the decadent sauce.
  5. Transfer the rum-kissed banana mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
  6. Combine dry ingredients for the crisp topping in a mixing bowl, blending oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until well integrated.
  7. Using a pastry blender, incorporate cold butter into the dry mixture, creating a crumbly texture with small, pebble-like pieces.
  8. Fold chopped walnuts into the crumbly topping, adding a delightful crunch and nutty dimension.
  9. Sprinkle the walnut-studded topping uniformly over the banana layer, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
  10. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and bubbling edges.
  11. Allow the crisp to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, letting flavors meld and settle.
  12. Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a perfect balance of warm, caramelized bananas and cool, creamy sweetness.

Notes

  • Elevate your dessert game with this decadent spin on the classic Bananas Foster, transforming the traditional sauce into a hearty, comforting crisp.
  • Rum adds a luxurious depth of flavor, creating a sophisticated twist that takes this dessert from simple to spectacular.
  • Toasting the crisp topping brings out the nutty essence of walnuts and creates a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, caramelized bananas.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a melt-in-your-mouth experience that balances the rich, warm flavors of caramel and banana.
  • Cold butter is the secret to achieving that perfect, crumbly crisp topping that provides an irresistible textural contrast.
  • Best enjoyed immediately after baking, this dessert is a show-stopping finale to any meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 430
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Sodium: 240 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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