Vincentian Banana Fritters
In short: Vincentian banana fritters: ripe bananas mashed with flour, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon, then fried in spoonfuls until golden and crisp at the edges. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 370 kcal
Banana fritters are a popular snack in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, made from very ripe bananas mashed into a thick batter with flour, sugar and spices. Spoonfuls are fried until golden, crisp at the edges and soft and sweet inside, and they are best eaten hot. Overripe, spotted bananas give the most flavor, so this is a good use for fruit that is past its best.
Instructions
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl with a fork until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps for texture.
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a second bowl. Add to the bananas with the vanilla and mix until just combined.
- The batter should be thick but drop easily from a spoon. If it is stiff, stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Heat 3 cm (1 inch) of oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot to 175°C (350°F). A drop of batter should sizzle and rise within seconds.
- Drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the oil, 4 or 5 at a time, without crowding. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep the first batches warm in a 100°C (210°F) oven while you fry the rest. Serve hot, dusted with sugar if you like.
Tips
- Use bananas with black-spotted or fully dark skins. Firm yellow bananas make a bland, starchy fritter.
- Fry a test fritter first. If it browns in under a minute, lower the heat so the center has time to cook through.
Questions and answers
Can I use plantains instead of bananas?
Yes. Very ripe plantains with black skins work well and give a denser, slightly sweeter fritter. Mash them well and add a little extra water.
Can I bake banana fritters instead of frying them?
You can bake spoonfuls on a lined tray at 200°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, but they turn out more like soft cakes than crisp fritters.
How do I keep banana fritters from being greasy?
Fry at 175°C (350°F), do not crowd the pot, and drain on paper towels right away. A thicker batter also absorbs less oil.
How long does it take to make Vincentian Banana Fritters?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vincentian Banana Fritters?
About 370 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 65 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 370 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 320 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
