Tempura Banana

My wife has an appetite for Japanese food, and I think a lot of you feel the same way. Japanese cuisine has some great famous dishes that can be made at home if you have the right ingredients, and this Tempura Banana is one of them for sure.

This Tempura Banana is not a purely Japanese dish, but tempura itself is. Usually, tempura is made for seafood dishes and beyond, but this time, I used it on fruit. Since it works so well on bananas, I think apples, mangoes, and even avocados can work too, which I will try next time.

Since this Tempura Banana turned out as good as we expected (crunchy and sweet), I’m now very open to Asian cuisine in general. So, there is a big chance I will share more recipes inspired by Asian cuisine in the next few weeks.

Also, don’t forget to drizzle some honey on top of your Tempura Banana, as we did, it adds more sweetness and makes it even more enjoyable and delicious to have as a dessert os as a snack.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe but firm bananas
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup cold water
• 1 egg (optional, for extra crispiness)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar or honey (for garnish)

How to Make Tempura Banana?

Step 1:

Peel the bananas and cut them into little pieces or long strips, depending how you like them, Set them aside.

Step 2:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add cold water and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth. If want to use egg, whisk it separately and mix it in.

Step 3:

Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep pan or fryer to submerge the banana pieces. Heat it to 350°F (175°C).

Step 4:

Dip each banana piece into the batter, make sure they are fully covered.

Fry the bananas, turning them occasionally until they that nice golden color and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per side is enought.

Step 5:

Remove the fried bananas and Serve them warm with honey, powdered sugar, or even ice cream for the kids.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Deep pan or fryer
• Slotted spoon
• Paper towels
• Knife and cutting board

Helpful Tips!

• For this recipe. I will striongry suggest using Firm Bananas. as Soft or overripe bananas can turn mushy when fried. Pick bananas that are yellow with no brown spots.
• A cold batter makes the tempura more crispy. You can even put an ice cube in the batter if you want.
• Choose an oil with a high smoke point, I like to use peanut oil.
• You can add some powdered sugar, honey, chocolate syrup, or caramel for more sweetness. for the kids I love to serve them a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

What to Serve with Tempura Banana?

I adored the taste of this Tempura banana with some sweet sauces like honey, my wife enjoy it with chocolate drizzle, these sauces enhanced the crispy texture and brought out the natural sweetness of the banana which make it more delicious, I also had it with a Key Lime Ice Cream Sandwich on the side, and it was absolutely delicious, If you want more ideas, try serving it with whipped cream or coconut cream or even sprinkle some crushed nuts on top.

FAQ

Can I use overripe bananas?

No, overripe bananas may break apart in the batter.

Can I bake instead of frying?

Yes, Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes.

What oil is best for frying?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil work best.

Can I store leftover tempura bananas?

They are best eaten fresh, but you can reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.

Can I use other fruits?

Yes, next time I will use apples or mangoes.

How do I keep the tempura crispy?

Keep the batter cold and don’t overcrowd the frying pan.

Is this the same as banana fritters?

No, banana fritters usually have a thicker batter and are often made with mashed bananas.

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