Worth cooking

There are many reasons to love this Banana Fritters recipe and add it to your recipe rotation. You’ll love this recipe because:

It is family-friendly! We tell you, it is hard to stop at one banana fritter. Everyone loves these bites that taste like banana bread and doughnuts had a baby. The Carribean version of this simple recipe is commonly enjoyed in Jamaican households. Different varieties of banana fritters are common in West Africa.
It is quick and easy! Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish, this easy recipe can be made at the spur of the moment.
It is customizable! Yes, you can add spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, depending on your personal preference. Got some vanilla extract? Feel free to add it in! You could fry this in hot oil on the stovetop or in a deep fryer or experiment with making flatter fritters in an air fryer.
It is tasty! The banana flavor these fritters yield is incredible.
It is a great way to use up overripe bananas! Don’t let those overripe or leftover bananas go to waste. Use them to make some easy fritters.

Ingredients

The main components for this recipe are mostly pantry staples. Here is what you need for this quick snack:

Ripe bananas: Fairly ripe or firm bananas won’t cut it here. If the bananas are so ripe that they have developed black spots or brown spots and some parts of the banana are mushy on the inside, then our friend, you have the perfect bananas for some banana fritters!
Flour: All purpose or plain flour works here. Please do not use self-rising flour.
Baking powder: To serve as a raising agent which enables the batter to puff up as it fries.
Salt: Balances the sweetness in the bananas.
Eggs: Eggs add richness and flavor.
Milk: Milk helps thin out the batter to the right consistency. (not pictured)
Nutmeg: Ground nutmeg boosts the flavor profile of banana fritters. Go for freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor. We grate whole nutmeg easily using a Microplane grater.
Neutral oil for frying: Any flavourless oil like canola or vegetable oil would work. (not pictured)

For the full list of ingredients with measurements, check out the recipe card below.

This is the best way to make banana fritters with one bowl and in 3 easy steps:

2. Add some flour, eggs, milk, salt and ground nutmeg. Mix everything to combine and form a batter.

3. Heat up oil and drop in tablespoonfuls of the banana mixture to deep fry until golden brown.

Place the fritters on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

And there you have it! Quick and easy banana fritters!

Now, let’s talk about how to vary the ingredients in banana fritters to make it your own.

Sweeter fritters: Add some brown sugar to the batter if you have a sweet tooth and prefer sweeter fritters.
More spiced: Add cinnamon and cloves for a more spiced batter.
Cinnamon sugar: Toss the fritters in cinnamon sugar as soon as you fry them.
Vanilla extract: Consider adding vanilla extract for more flavor.
Plantain fritters: Replace the bananas with overripe plantains for plantain fritters.
Savory Version: Add grated onions to the batter for a savory version.
Chopped Bananas: If you would like some texture, chop some bananas and mix them into the batter before deep frying.
Coconut Milk: For some coconutty fritters, add coconut milk to the batter. You might need to add more flour and adjust the quantity of the other ingredients if you choose to do so.

Use a small cookie scoop to drop the batter into the oil for even shapes.
Mix the batter until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add enough oil into the pot for deep frying. About 4 inches of vegetable oil will ensure that the fritters deep-fry.
To test if the oil is hot enough, drop in the first spoonful of batter. If it rises to the top of the oil, it is hot enough.
Don’t make the oil too hot, as it will result in the fritters burning on the outside without being cooked through.
The oil temperature should be around 365 degrees F. If the oil temperature is too low, the fritters will absorb the oil and turn soggy.
Use an enameled cast iron pot for frying if you can as it holds heat well.
Serve warm for the best flavor.

These fritters are so versatile. You could eat them with a lot of sides.

Serve with strawberry jam, vanilla ice cream, or chocolate sauce for a sweet treat.
Serve drizzled with maple syrup or honey.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on them before serving.
For a savory option, pair it with this spicy African Pepper Sauce.

Peel the bananas and place in a large bowl. Mash with a fork or potato masher to form a paste (it will have lumps in it and that's okay).
Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl except the oil for frying. Mix until just combine to form a batter. The batter will be light and drippy.
Place oil in a pan up to 3 inches then heat up on high heat to 365 degrees Fahrenheit. Reduce the heat to medium (this is important because very hot oil will result in the fritters burning on the outside without cooking through.
Place tablespoonfuls of the batter into the pan (if you have a small cookie scoop, use it to drop the batter into the oil). Do not overcrowd the pan. Let the fritters cook until golden. Flip to the other side and let them cook until golden too. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Repeat process with the rest of the batter, allowing the oil to heat up a little more each time.
Enjoy for breakfast with some tea, or as a snack, or serve sprinkled with powdered sugar as a dessert.