Brazilian Cuisine
Fried Bananas with Lime and Salt
Fried bananas (Bananas fritas) are a quintessential side dish on the Brazilian table, showcasing the tropical, sweet-savory versatility of the cuisine. In this effortless version, the natural sugars of caramelised bananas pair beautifully with the electric zest of fresh lime and a crunch of coarse sea salt. It serves as a fantastic, dynamic side to rich meats, rice and beans, or can be enjoyed solo as a comforting snack.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 15 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cooking
- 10 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 1.5 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fiber
- 3.5 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Peel the bananas
Peel the bananas. Slice each banana in half lengthwise, then cut each piece crosswise to yield 4 uniform spears per banana.
- 02
Grate about 1/4 teaspoon of lime zest from the lime half, the…
Grate about 1/4 teaspoon of lime zest from the lime half, then squeeze out 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice.
- 03
Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat
Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. If you prefer a deeper caramel crust, sprinkle a teaspoon of brown sugar into the butter and let it dissolve.
- 04
Arrange the banana pieces in a single layer
Arrange the banana pieces in a single layer. Fry undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown color.
- 05
Drizzle the fresh lime juice directly over the bananas in the…
Drizzle the fresh lime juice directly over the bananas in the pan, gently flip them once to coat with the pan juices, and remove from heat.
- 06
Transfer the warm bananas to a serving plate, then garnish wi…
Transfer the warm bananas to a serving plate, then garnish with the lime zest and a generous pinch of flaky sea salt.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
Look for all-yellow bananas that are still firm to the touch. Overripe bananas with brown spots will break down and turn into mush during the frying process.
How to serve
Serve immediately while warm. Flaky sea salt or coarse salt is crucial here; regular table salt will dissolve instantly and won't provide that distinct, delightful texture crunchy pop.
How to store
This dish is strictly meant to be eaten fresh. Leftovers become soggy and lose their appealing texture when reheated, so only cook what you intend to serve immediately.
Note
While Brazilians often use 'Banana-da-terra' (plantain) for cooking, standard firm dessert bananas work excellently as long as you monitor the cooking time.
