How To Make Bananas Foster (Vegan, No Alcohol)

Learn how to make Bananas Foster, this classic New Orleans dessert! This quick and easy recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and made without alcohol! A healthier, kid-friendly dessert without the rum that takes just 10 minutes! Naturally sweet bananas sautéed in a deep and rich brown sugar caramel-like sauce, and served over your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream!

Deep and rich, the mouthwatering flavors of caramel and sweet ripe banana, warm and cinnamony, spooned over cold creamy vanilla ice cream. Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans dessert that no one will want to pass up! With this simple and easy recipe, you don't need actual rum or tons of sugar! This healthy vegan bananas foster recipe is made dairy-free, alcohol-free, and naturally sweet! You'll be amazed by just how quick this one-pan dessert is!

What Is Bananas Foster?

Bananas foster is a rich and delicious Southern dessert consisting of just-ripe bananas, sauteed in a caramel-like sauce made from butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, banana liquor, and rum, typically flammed tableside and served warm over cold creamy vanilla ice cream! Deep and decadent flavors, the banana slices become caramelized and melt-in-your-mouth soft, creating a perfect sauce for any sweet dish, beyond just ice cream!

Where Did Bananas Foster Originate?

Bananas Foster originated in Louisiana at Owen Brennan's Vieux Carré restaurant on Bourbon Street, in the late 1940s. It didn't become popular until it began being served at the famous New Orleans restaurant, Brennan's, in the 1950s as the signature dessert served as part of the menu for "Breakfast At Brennans'. At the time, there was a surplus of bananas being imported in from South America, and Owen's younger brother, John, managed a produce company, "Brennan's Processed Potato Company", and needed a solution for the bananas.

Owen ended up asking his sister, Ella Brennan, and Chef Paul Blangé, to come up with a new dessert using this surplus of bananas. Owen ended up naming this new dessert after his friend, Richard Foster, who was the chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission.

Why You'll Love This Vegan Recipe

This delectable, slightly healthier, vegan recipe cuts out the dairy, lowers the sugar, and infuses ALL the same flavor, but without the rum! By using dairy-free butter, rum flavor extract, and sugar-free brown sugar sweetener you can make this classic recipe completely...

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Low in Sugar or Sugar-Free
• Grain-Free & Paleo
• Kid-Friendly
• Quick & Easy
• Made in 1 Pan, Just 10 Minutes To Make
• Perfect Dessert or Topping for Brunch or Breakfast Dishes

Ingredients You Need

• Bananas: You want to choose bananas that are just starting to ripen. They shouldn't be green, but they shouldn't be brown like you'd use for banana bread. If the bananas are too soft and ripe, they'll just melt away in the hot pan. You want them to still be slightly firm so they hold their shape.
• Vegan Butter: Use your favorite dairy-free butter for this recipe. This is what will turn the brown sugar into a rich, deeply flavored, buttery caramel sauce. If you're using an unsalted butter spread, add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors in this dessert!
• Dark Brown Sugar: The deep molasses flavor from dark brown sugar is key to this recipe! If you choose to use sugar-free brown sugar sweetener, I recommend Swerve. If you opt for normal brown sugar, use a dark variety, not light. It's better for color and flavor!
• Rum Extract: No need for actual rum! A splash of rum extract or culinary emulsion will give you all the rum flavor you need without worrying about the alcohol (plus, it's cheaper!)
• Vanilla Extract: To add depth without the rum and banana liqueur, a splash of pure vanilla extract will really tie this banana foster recipe together!
• Cinnamon: A small sprinkle of cinnamon just feels necessary with the warm deep flavors! A little goes a long way. You can always add more when you go to serve and plate the sauce!

What Can You Use Instead of Rum in Bananas Foster?

The best non-alcoholic substitute for rum in banana foster would be some rum extract. One teaspoon per two large bananas is the best ratio to use. If you can't find rum extract, you can use two tablespoons of apple juice or orange juice. If you really want this to be as close to authentic as possible, buy some Ritual Zero-Proof Rum Alternative and use about ¼ cup in this recipe!

Other Substitutions and Variations

There are a few other simple tweaks and substitutions you can make to this simple dessert depending on what you have in the kitchen and your preferences!

• Banana Extract: In place of the banana liqueur that is sometimes used in foster, you can add ½ teaspoon of banana extract to the recipe. The banana liqueur is used to intensify the fruity flavor in the recipe.
• Use Real Rum: Rum is gluten-free, so if you do plan on making it the classic way, use ¼ cup in this recipe. You can use dark or light, but dark rum has a more intense flavor than clean light rum. Add the rum after the bananas have cooked for a minute or two. Turn the heat off while pouring it into the pan, then quickly turn the flame back on to ignite and flambé the sauce or use a match or culinary torch. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon during this time to really intensify the flavor and aroma.
  • Note that the alcohol doesn't cook off during this quick process like it would when making something like penne alla vodka!
• Light Brown Sugar: If you only have light brown sugar, you can simply use that, or add one to two teaspoons of molasses to deepen the flavor and make it similar to real dark brown sugar.

How To Slice The Bananas

Depending on how you'll be serving the sauce, you can realistically slice the bananas however you want. The two most common ways are lengthwise and coins. Lengthwise is the traditional way and great for serving with ice cream. Round slices are great when serving the Foster as a topping on French toast or pancakes.

• Lengthwise: Take your bananas, peel them, and slice them lengthwise in half. Then take the two halves and slice them lengthwise in half as well, creating 4 pieces that have a rounded outside and flat inside, as shown above.
• Round Slices: When slicing the bananas into coins, don't slice them too thin or they won't hold up to the heat. Slice them into rounds or diagonal rounds, about ¼ inch thickness.

How To Make Bananas Foster Without Rum

1. In a medium skillet, melt the vegan butter over medium-high heat, before adding the dark brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and extracts.
2. Continue cooking the sauce over medium heat until it thickens and begins to bubble throughout about 2-3 minutes.

3. Now, add the sliced bananas to the thick sauce, reducing the heat to low.
4. Gently toss the bananas in the caramel-like sauce until coated and the bananas just begin to get soft around the edges. Serve immediately over ice cream!

Can You Make Bananas Foster Ahead of Time?

No. It's so quick and easy to make in less than 10 minutes, from start to finish! It needs to be served hot and the longer the bananas stay in the sauce, the more they will soften and literally melt away. If for some crazy reason you must, you can combine the sauce ingredients on the stove, until thick. Let it cool and store in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, warm the sauce over low heat and then add the sliced bananas to the sauce.

How To Serve Bananas Foster

Bananas Foster is traditionally served right away, hot and flambéed tableside over creamy vanilla ice cream! Serve your hot dessert over your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream for the ultimate Southern treat! You can also serve this simple dessert over classic brunch recipes like pancakes, waffles, or french toast (make your French toast with banana bread!). Maybe even vegan chicken and waffles! Use it to top oatmeal and hot cereals, cinnamon buns, bread pudding, or use whipped cream instead of ice cream!

More Delicious Southern Recipes:

• Southern Vegan Banana Pudding
• Vegan Southern Squash Casserole
• Southern Potato Salad
• Vegan Gumbo
• Southern Tomato Sandwich
• Air Fryer Hush Puppies
• Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes

Print

Family-friendly, budget-friendly, simple, easy; this vegan bananas foster recipe will be your new go-to banana dessert! Perfect all year long and for any special occasion! Wow you guests and yourself, the flavors and aromas are showstopping!

So tell me:

+ What will you serve your foster over?

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