Looking for a delightfully sweet, pick-me-up midday snack? This satisfying Filipino banana cue recipe is super addicting and fun for guests! Using only 3-ingredients, this easy treat can be made anytime in under 10 minutes!
Now who doesn’t love fried bananas? This quick Filipino banana cue recipe is the ultimate go-to snack with basic ingredients!
This recipe pairs great with coffee or tea and is sure to be a much-needed pick-me-up snack anyone will love!
As an added bonus, these sweet banana cues are super easy to eat as it’s served on a bamboo skewer to keep your fingers clean! Think of an ice cream treat that doesn’t melt…the best right?!
This post will go over everything you need to know to create this Filipino banana cue recipe.
Recipe difficulty: Easy, easy, easy, beginner status
Ok, so there are only 3 banana cue ingredients for this recipe that is super economical! In addition, the procedure for this favorite recipe takes no time at all and can be done under 10 minutes! Definitely a fun recipe to share with guests as its traditionally served on a bamboo skewer, which means less mess! Yay!
Sam’s Pro Tips for this Filipino Banana Cue Recipe
- Make sure the oil is hot before you fry the bananas! Use a high-smoke point oil for even frying and to get these babies fried in 6 minutes! Similar to my Perfectly Sweet and Crispy Filipino Turon Recipe | Fried Banana Rolls, I used canola oil to fry the bananas. Make sure you don’t overstuff your pan otherwise the temperature of the oil will drop. A quick check if the oil is hot enough is to spritz some water on the oil, if it sizzles its ready!
- Watch the bananas carefully when frying! Really important! This special banana cue recipe only fries for 2-3 minutes per side. The reason why is the brown sugar with the banana can burn super-fast. Therefore, my trick is to consistently spoon the oil and sugar on top of the banana, and to rotate the bananas in the pan to cook evenly. Also, caramelizing only half of the sugar in the oil before the bananas are added makes it easier to spoon over the bananas without getting over hard pieces by adding everything at once.
- Plan for the bananas to cool on a wire rack. Similar to my Hot and Crispy Fried Smelt Fish Perfect with Vinegar Recipe, after frying the bananas until golden brown, you’re not done yet! Make sure to transport to a wire rack to cool and to remove excess oil. Plan for this in your cooking time as the bananas will still continue to slightly cook and darken. My little trick is to put a baking pan underneath the wire rack in case there is any excess oil!
Key Ingredients – Filipino Banana Cue Recipe
Below are some key ingredients for this recipe:
- Saba bananas: I explain this type of banana more in my Perfectly Sweet and Crispy Filipino Turon Recipe | Fried Banana Rolls, but these bananas are common in Filipino cooking and pair perfectly with the brown sugar. So, you can usually find these bananas in the local Asian market or certain grocery stores.
- Canola oil: Canola oil is our choice for a high-smoke point oil and is fairly cheap. Make sure the oil comes up to at least half the height of the bananas depending on what size pan is used.
- Brown sugar: For some sweet goodness, 1 cup of brown sugar will be used to create that caramel brown color on the outside. As a result, these bananas will be delightfully sweet and completely caramelized! Certainly read the Tips section above on achieving the caramelized texture without overcooking.
More Variations to this Recipe
There are a few ways you can variate this Filipino banana cue recipe. Here’s how:
- Add a dash of cinnamon! For a banana cue with a twist, sprinkle some cinnamon on top of these babies for a touch of added flavor to the caramelized sugar. The cinnamon really takes the flavor up a notch!
- Make a fried banana sundae! If you want even more of a sugar-rush, make a fried banana sundae with vanilla ice cream, chopped nuts, caramel sauce, and of course you can’t forget the maraschino cherries! You don’t need the bamboo skewers for this and serve the fried bananas warm with the ice cream for a great combination of a warm and cold treat.
- What can I pair with this dish? Filipino banana cue is the perfect sweet midday snack, but for more of a savory treat be adventurous with our Hot and Crispy Fried Smelt Fish Perfect with Vinegar or Party Favorite Sriracha Deviled Eggs with Shredded Parmesan! Either would be perfect as a light meal during the day.
Interested in Filipino cuisine, but don’t know where to begin? Download our Top 5 Crazy-Cheap Ingredients You Need for Filipino Cooking and Where to Find It from my free resource library! (Need the password to the library? Look out for the form at the bottom of this post!)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mixture of banana cue?
Saba bananas fried in brown sugar are traditional banana cues.
What is banana cue in the Philippines?
Banana cue in the Philippines is a popular snack or street food where Saba bananas are deep fried with brown sugar.
What is banana stick called?
A banana stick using a bamboo skewer with a deep-fried banana in sugar is traditionally called a banana cue in Filipino cuisine.
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