Ready for a snack? This classic Filipino banana cue is made with ripe saba bananas coated in melted brown sugar, which makes a perfect treat for those who love quick, affordable sweet snacks. Each banana is crispy and glossy on the outside, but it's warm and soft on the inside!
For more treats, try this creamy banana mango smoothie or fruity papaya banana smoothie.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Banana cue is the perfect afternoon snack recipe for any season. It's a sweet, warm, and satisfying snack recipe that is naturally vegan and beginner-friendly. Plus, you only need four simple, affordable, and easy-to-find ingredients to make it.
Every skewer holds at least a pair of saba bananas, which contain fiber and potassium that help support digestion and normal muscle function.
The caramelized sugar creates a slightly sweet and crisp coating around the banana, which makes it a perfect treat for a sweet tooth!
The Story Behind Banana Cue
This Filipino street food is often sold near schools, markets, and neighborhoods. Vendors display the golden bananas during snack time. It brings back memories of merienda after school or work.
Where Banana Cue Comes From
Banana cue comes from the Philippines, and it's long been sold as an affordable street snack. Filipino vendors probably started making it using the local saba, brown sugar, and simple frying methods.
When is this Dish Typically Enjoyed?
It's commonly served during merienda or snack time at markets, schools, fiestas, and family gatherings. It's enjoyed all year because saba bananas are widely available.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- saba bananas
- brown sugar
- cooking oil
- bamboo skewers
See the recipe card for quantities.
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Instructions
Fry the Bananas
Pour the cooking oil into a deep pan or wok and heat it over medium heat.
Then carefully add the peeled saba bananas to the hot oil and fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly golden.
Coat the Bananas
Sprinkle the brown sugar directly into the oil and allow it to melt and begin caramelizing.
Then, gently turn the bananas in the melted sugar and continue turning until they are evenly coated.
Fry until the bananas are golden brown and glossy. Then, carefully remove them from the oil.
Skewer and Serve
Place the cooked bananas on a lined plate or cooling rack to drain excess oil.
Then, carefully insert one bamboo skewer into each banana. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Have a good bite of this sweet treat!
Substitutions & Variations
- Ingredient Swap
Plantains can also work if you don't have saba. - Variation
You can try coconut sugar instead of brown. But the coating will taste less traditional. - Mistake to Avoid
Don't cook the sugar over very high heat. It can burn before the bananas finish cooking. Keep the heat at medium and turn the bananas gently.
Storage Tip
This banana cue is best enjoyed fresh and warm. Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days. Then reheat them in the oven or air fryer. Freezing is not good because the bananas may become watery and mushy after thawing.
FAQs
Classic Banana Cue
Ingredients
- 8 ripe saba bananas peeled
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 cups cooking oil for frying
- 8 bamboo skewers
Instructions
Fry the Bananas
- Pour the cooking oil into a deep pan or wok.
- Heat the oil over medium heat.
- Carefully add the peeled saba bananas to the hot oil.
- Fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly golden.
Coat the Bananas
- Sprinkle the brown sugar directly into the oil.
- Allow the sugar to melt and begin caramelizing.
- Gently turn the bananas in the melted sugar.
- Continue turning until they are evenly coated.
- Fry until the bananas are golden brown and glossy.
- Carefully remove them from the oil.
Skewer and Serve
- Place the cooked bananas on a lined plate or cooling rack.
- Carefully insert one bamboo skewer into each banana.
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Watch The Recipe Video!
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Recipes for Every Moment
Need a quick and easy snack for Filipino merienda? Here's an easy banana cue recipe that only needs four ingredients and a bit of time!
Claudia says
awiieee!! my favorite snack in the afternoon, hope you'll make one for kamote que soon too!
Julius says
One of the greatest Filipino snacks of all time. No one will disagree. ✌☺
Mia W says
Lainey, this tasted amazing! Love this!
Yummie Lover says
Oooooh! I think I'm going to beg papa to make this!! YESSSS!
Ching says
One of my favorite snacks! So easy to cook and budget-friendly. 🙂
Gracie says
This is staple Filipino snack! I want to try this!
Queenie says
I completely agree! Banana cues make the absolute perfect afternoon snack.