Banana Fritters with Easy Homemade Salted Caramel
These Banana Fritters are soft and fluffy on the inside with perfectly crisp, golden exteriors that make every bite irresistible. Served warm with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a generous drizzle of silky homemade salted caramel, they’re the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and slightly salty—an easy dessert you’ll want to make again and again.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Cake flour (see substitution on recipe card below)
Baking powder
Salt
Cinnamon
Granulated sugar
Milk of choice
Yogurt of choice
Olive oil
Vanilla bean paste or extract
Bananas
Avocado oil, for frying (or neutral oil of choice)
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
Smooth, creamy almond butter
Why You’ll Love Banana Fritters with Easy Homemade Salted Caramel:
Crisp and Golden on the Outside: Fried to perfection, these fritters have a beautiful golden exterior that gives way to a soft, fluffy center.
The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Salty: The silky homemade salted caramel drizzle adds richness and a hint of salt that elevates the sweetness of the bananas.
Quick and Easy to Make: These fritters come together in no time, making them a great choice for a last-minute dessert or weekend treat.
Irresistible Served Warm: Best enjoyed fresh from the fryer with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic finish.
A Fun Twist on a Classic Dessert: These banana fritters are a nostalgic treat with a modern upgrade thanks to the salted caramel sauce.
Perfect for Sharing: Serve a plate of these warm fritters at brunch, for a cozy family dessert, or as a crowd-pleasing party snack.
Tips for Making Banana Fritters with Easy Homemade Salted Caramel:
Use Ripe Bananas: Slightly overripe bananas add natural sweetness and a softer texture to the fritters without being mushy.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the fritters light and fluffy inside.
Heat the Oil to the Right Temperature: Keep the oil at 350°F-370°F for even frying. Too hot and the fritters will burn outside before cooking through; too cool and they’ll absorb too much oil.
Fry in Small Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan so the fritters can fry evenly and stay crisp.
Drain on a Wire Rack: Place fried fritters on a wire rack instead of paper towels to maintain their crisp exterior.
Dust with Powdered Sugar Just Before Serving: This keeps the sugar from melting into the fritters and ensures a pretty, bakery-style finish.
Warm the Salted Caramel Sauce Gently: Heat the caramel slightly before drizzling so it pours smoothly without being too runny, or simply dip them!
Serve Immediately: Banana fritters are best enjoyed fresh while still warm and crispy for the perfect texture contrast.
How to Store Banana Fritters with Easy Homemade Salted Caramel:
Best Fresh: Banana fritters are at their absolute best served warm and crispy, straight from the fryer.
Room Temperature: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Keep in mind the exterior may lose its crispness.
Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh the texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the fritters soggy.
Freezer: While not ideal, you can freeze fritters by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven until warmed through and crisp.
Salted Caramel Sauce: Store leftover caramel sauce in a jar in the refrigerator for up 2-3 weeks. Warm gently before drizzling over reheated fritters.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make banana fritters ahead of time?
A: These fritters are best enjoyed fresh, but you can fry them a few hours in advance and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to revive their crisp texture.
Q: How do I keep banana fritters crispy?
A: After frying, place them on a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent steam from softening the exterior. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Q: Can I use regular caramel sauce instead of salted caramel?
A: Yes! Regular caramel works too, but adding a pinch of flaky sea salt enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Q: Do I need a thermometer to fry the fritters?
A: A thermometer helps maintain the ideal oil temperature (350°F-370°F), but you can test by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil—it should sizzle and rise to the top without browning too quickly.
Q: Can I make the batter in advance?
A: It’s best to fry the batter right after mixing to ensure the baking powder stays active and the fritters puff up properly.
Q: How long does the salted caramel sauce keep?
A: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently before serving to bring back its silky texture.
Q: Can I bake banana fritters instead of frying?
A: These are traditionally fried for the crispy texture. If you prefer baking or air frying, spoon the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F until golden, or place into the air fryer basket that’s lined with parchment paper, and air fry at 400F for about 5-10 minutes, until golden. The texture will be softer, more like banana muffins.
Check out my other fritter and donut recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these banana fritters with easy homemade salted caramel. Happy baking!
