Make a banana syrup to add a burst of banana flavor to cocktails, pancakes, desserts, and so much more. All you need are four simple ingredients to make a banana simple syrup you will love.
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Cooking with seasonal fresh ingredients is something I truly love. Cooking bananas in syrup is a great way to make a homemade simple syrup that I can use to add flavor to drinks, jazz up breakfast, or drizzle over desserts. It takes the ordinary up a notch by adding flavor and simply making it more exciting.
If you love cooking with bananas you've got to try my Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad and Peach Banana Smoothie next! They're both an easy way to use up any extra bananas you've got laying around.
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Ingredients
Here's a look at the simple ingredients needed to make this homemade banana flavored syrup.
- Granulated sugar: Needed for sweetening the syrup. Use white sugar for a lighter colored syrup.
- Bananas: Use ripe bananas but not brown. It's important that they are ripe as they will be more flavorful but not overly ripe.
- Salt: It's extremely important you don't skip the salt. It enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and brings balance to the syrup.
- Vanilla extract: Adds natural warmth, sweetness, and aroma to the syrup.
See the recipe card for the exact quantities of each ingredient as well as the quantities of each one.
Variations
- Brown Sugar Banana Flavored Syrup: Brown sugar brings another element of flavor that's a bit deeper than regular sugar. It's all due to the molasses added to brown sugar which also makes it brown. Note that brown sugar will make the color of the syrup darker.
- Different Flavors: Instead of the vanilla extract you can experiment with rum, almond, or coconut extract instead by replacing half or all of the vanilla with a different extract. You can also add cinnamon sticks to the saucepan to infuse it with some warming spices.
- Berries: When infusing syrup with banana you can also add berries as well to make a banana berry syrup. Use the same amount of bananas as in the recipe card along with a half cup - 1 cup of berries.
How to Make Banana Syrup
Here's a look at the easy steps for banana flavored syrup. Be sure to check the recipe card for the full list of steps.
Step 1: Prepare the Bananas. Peel and slice the bananas into small pieces.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients. In a small saucepan, mix the granulated sugar, water, and salt.
Step 3: Heat and Dissolve. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves.
Step 4: Adding the Bananas. Add the bananas to the sugar and water mixture.
Step 5: Simmer. Reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture gently simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and aid the breakdown of the bananas.
Step 6: Add Vanilla Extract. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Step 7: Strain. After cooling a bit, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove any banana solids.
Step 8: Cool and Store. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before transferring it to a jar or bottle for storage. Refrigerate the banana syrup for up to two weeks.
How to Use Banana Simple Syrup
- Breakfast Favorites: Enjoy this as a banana pancake syrup drizzled over your favorite stack of pancakes, waffles, or French toast topped with some fresh sliced bananas. Try it with these Oat Milk Pancakes, Oat Flour Pancakes, and Belgian Waffles.
- Cocktails and Mocktails: Use banana simple syrup as a sweetener in your favorite mocktails and cocktails. It's perfect for tropical and rum drinks such as daiquiris or pina coladas. For non-alcoholic beverages use to sweeten milkshakes, smoothies, and drinks. It'd work great to add another flavor profile to this Mango Milkshake or this Cherry Smoothie.
- Desserts: Infuse cakes and cupcakes with banana flavor by poking holes in the cake and pouring the banana syrup over the top. Similar to the method used to make poke cake or tres leches cake. Then go ahead and frost and decorate your cake and cupcakes as desired. It'd also add a nice flavor to this Chocolate Dump Cake.
- Topping for Ice Cream: Drizzle it warm over your favorite scoops of ice cream. Add some sliced bananas, nuts, and whipped cream for the ultimate banana split.
- Coffee and Tea: Stir banana simple syrup into your favorite coffee drink, matcha latte, or tea for a tropical fruity flavor enhancement.
Expert Tips
- Storing: Store your banana syrup in a jar or container in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it for up to three months. You can pour it into an ice tray and freeze it. Then transfer the cubes of banana syrup to a freezer-safe container. This makes it easier to remove one at a time.
- Using Banana Simple Syrup: Add more or less to reach the desired banana flavor and sweetness in your dishes.
- Cool Before Straining: Make sure the syrup is fully cooled before you attempt to strain it. This will prevent any burns.
Recipe FAQs
No you shouldn't allow the mixture to boil. If it boils the water will evaporate more quickly making a sweeter syrup. Cook at a simmer over very low heat to cook the bananas and infuse their flavor into the simple syrup.
If the bananas held up when cooking then placing a mesh strainer over a bowl should work just fine. However, in cases where the banana fell apart you may need to line your strainer with a piece of cheesecloth or use a very fine mesh strainer to make sure you can strain off the smaller pieces. Be sure to let it cool a bit before straining so you avoid any burns if it were to splash up.
You should end up with about 1 cup to 1 ¼ cups of syrup.
More Easy Fruit Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Banana Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 ripe bananas
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Bananas: Peel and slice the bananas into small pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix the granulated sugar, water, and salt.
- Heat and Dissolve: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Simmer: Add the sliced bananas and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture gently simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and aid banana breakdown.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Strain: After cooling a bit, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove any banana solids.
- Cool and Store: Let the syrup cool to room temperature before transferring it to a jar or bottle for storage. Refrigerate the banana syrup for up to two weeks.