This banana caramel sauce is sticky, sweet, and an ideal topping for fruit slices, graham crackers, pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Got a bunch of overripe bananas and tired of making banana bread? Don’t toss them—turn them into a luscious banana caramel sauce instead. This simple recipe transforms very ripe bananas into a sticky, spoon‑licking treat my family can’t get enough of. My kids love dipping apple slices in it, and it disappears fast whenever I make a batch.
I first served this on morning pancakes and it was such a hit I made an extra batch for dipping. I’ll admit I used a spoon more than once. It’s delicious over pancakes, waffles, or banana‑based ice cream, and excellent as a dip for fruit or crackers.
This isn’t classic caramel made from sugar and cream — it’s banana caramel, so expect a distinct banana flavor. The sauce’s sweetness depends mostly on how ripe your bananas are. Dark, spotty bananas are best because they’re naturally sweeter, which lets you use less added sugar. If your bananas are only just ripe, you may want a bit more sweetener to reach the desired taste.
While this caramel sauce can be lighter than many store‑bought toppings and may feel like a healthier option, it’s still a treat—enjoy in moderation. After three batches I experimented with different nondairy milks and thickeners; soy, hazelnut, and almond milk all worked well. Brown rice syrup gave the best texture, adding a caramel‑like thickness without making the sauce gummy. Reducing the blended mixture produces a richer, thicker sauce if you prefer that consistency.
After blending you’ll have about 2 cups of sauce; simmering it down reduces the volume to roughly 1 cup, depending on how long you cook it. This recipe is quick to prepare and yields a versatile topping that pairs especially well with breakfast and dessert items.
Try it on pancakes, swirl it into yogurt, spoon it over banana ice cream, or serve it as a dip for fruit and crackers. It’s a tasty way to use overripe bananas and a crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike.
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please rate it in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. For more family-friendly, meatless recipes check out the author’s cookbook.
Banana Caramel Sauce
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Ingredients
- 2 large very ripe bananas
- ¼ cup coconut sugaruse ½ cup if your bananas are not super ripe or you prefer a sweeter sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
- ½ cup non‑dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
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Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
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Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, whisking often. Adjust the heat as needed so the mixture bubbles steadily but doesn’t scorch. Simmer until the mixture has reduced by about half and thickened to a sauce consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online tools and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data if needed.