Warm, sweet and gooey Baked Bananas are such a simple dessert, but there are so many different ways to serve them to have them a different way every time. Baking bananas really brings out the flavour and the sweetness and makes the perfect dessert for a cold winter night. Less than 130 calories for a super sweet dessert - this is one of our favourite banana recipes.
For this dessert, you simply bake some banana slices with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. How easy is that! The hard part is deciding what to eat them with.
If you are looking for some other ways to use bananas, then why not try our Easy Banana Milkshake, Peanut Butter Banana Muffins, Banana Porridge, Banana Cake or Healthier Banana Bread. Look out for more banana recipes soon.
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Why you will love it
- Super easy - This is as simple as putting bananas and honey in a dish and in the oven.
- A great way to use up over-ripe bananas - Bananas can turn from green and under ripe to black and super ripe over night. If you have lots of bananas that need using up, then this is a great way to use them.
- Low in calories - There is less than 130 calories in this, making it a light dessert, that still tastes indulgent.
- Kids love them - I have never met a kid that doesn't like bananas, so kids will love this.
- Versatile - There are so many different ways to use them and toppings you can add.
Ingredients needed
- Bananas - The key to this being the best is to use a ripe banana. We don't mean a black banana (although you could), but one that is starting to get spots on it. This will add lots of extra sweetness that you won't get from an under-ripe banana.
- Honey - Although there is natural sweetness from the bananas, we like to make these extra sweet with some honey. This is optional though.
- Cinnamon - This adds a lovely warmth to the baked bananas. You could swap it for ground ginger or nutmeg instead.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make baked bananas - Step by step
One: Slice the bananas in half lengthways and put in an oven proof dish.
Two: Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon. Put in a preheated oven at 200°C/390°F/Gas6 for 15-20 minutes and serve.
Health benefits of bananas
Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, fibre and carbohydrate, and some vitamin C too. They do have a lower water content than most fruit, so bananas typically have more calories as well as a higher sugar content compared to other non-tropical fruits.
Bananas are full of potassium, which is one of the most important electrolytes in the body, helping to regulate heart function as well as fluid balance. It is a key factor in regulating blood pressure.
Variations
This is such a simple recipe, which means there is lots of opportunity to mix things up a bit and add some extras. If you want an easy adult dinner party dessert, then make this with a splash of rum (and serve with coconut ice cream). So good!
Swap the cinnamon for ginger or nutmeg and you could also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dish.
As I say, this is a really simple dessert. You could keep the skin on the bananas and bake them skin on and scoop the banana out to eat, but we like to peel them and then slice them lengthways. You could also just cut the banana in to chunks and cook it like that.
Baking bananas brings out their natural sweetness, and makes them soft and gooey and oh-so-comforting. But we like them to go a little bit caramelised when baking, which is why we add a drizzle of honey to them. You could use maple syrup instead to make them vegan - and remember that honey isn't suitable for kids under 1 year.
What to serve with baked bananas
We really like these on some porridge for breakfast or with some Greek yogurt and pecans for dessert. But when we want something a little more indulgent, then we serve the with some scoops of vanilla or coconut ice cream and then a caramel drizzle and some nuts. Here are some topping ideas:
- Chocolate Chips
- Flaked Almonds
- Desiccated coconut
- Nut butter (peanut, almond or cashew)
- Yogurt
- Raisins
- Sprinkles
Frequently Asked Questions
The cooking time will depend on how ripe your bananas are and how soft you want them. Ours took 15 minutes in the oven, but you might need a little more or less time.
Yes, as long as you make sure there is no cross contamination, then these can be gluten free. Just be careful what you are serving them with.
If you swap the honey for maple syrup, or leave it out, then these can be vegan.
If your bananas are still a bit green and you want to ripen them, you need to leave them on the counter for a couple of days to let them naturally ripen.
These are best eaten straight away, so only make as much as you need.
Extra tips
• The length of time the bananas take too cook depends on how ripe your bananas are to begin with and how soft you like them once cooked.
• You can bake them skin on, and then scoop the banana out when eating.
• If you want to make these lower in calories, then leave out the honey. The bananas will still be soft and gooey, but not as caramelised or as sweet.
• Serve with ice cream, yogurt, or put on porridge for breakfast.
More dessert recipes
If you’ve tried this baked banana recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Honey Baked Bananas
Ingredients
- 2 Banana
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 pinch Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Slice 2 Banana in half and put into an oven proof dish.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon Honey over them and sprinkle 1 pinch Cinnamon on top.
- Put into the oven for 15 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- The length of time the bananas take too cook depends on how ripe your bananas are to begin with and how soft you like them once cooked.
- You can bake them skin on, and then scoop the banana out when eating.
- If you want to make these lower in calories, then leave out the honey. The bananas will still be soft and gooey, but not as caramelised or as sweet.
- Serve with ice cream, yoghurt, or put on porridge for breakfast.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
What a great sweet treat that's light!
Ashley says
I'm kinda strange and only like banana when it's baked into something ... but I'm wondering if maybe I would like them like this! The honey sounds awesome!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a great idea to baked these bananas, Dannii! I'm so loving this creative flavor and how delicious these sound. Can't wait to try it out!
Cailee says
Oh my goodness!! We had these for breakfast and it was like dessert for breakfast. Delicious!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
What a fun way to eat bananas Dannii! And I love that pot, I really need to gift myself a Le Creuset pot!
Joanne says
Sometimes easy desserts like this are all you need! Love that these are a healthier sweet treat!
Vicky says
We always cook bananas on the BBQ during the summer, but we wrap them in foil. No washing up that way haha. I will try these are a Sunday breakfast.
Kathy says
This was amazing with some melted dark chocolate drizzled over it. Banana and chocolate go so well together.
Lauren says
This was such a simple and tasty dessert. More like this please!
Emma says
After your last Le Creuset post you tempted me in to buying myself one. I wish I had of bought one years ago! Like you said, so easy to clean. Going to try this in it next :)
Melissa Yarber says
I would love more low calorie desserts like this. I have such a sweet tooth and always crave dessert a couple of hours after dinner.
Emily says
I love baked bananas - they're so much better that way. Never thought about putting honey on them though!
Linda says
I have been eating your breakfast banana split a lot recently and it is my favourite healthy breakfast. Do you think that would work with baked bananas?
Heather says
My daughter loves bananas (it's actually the only fruit I can get her to eat), so I am always looking for new ways to use them. Thanks for the recipe.
Jessica says
I love how easy this is to make.