These Bananas Foster pancakes are so good – with a banana topping for pancakes that is so decadent! Banana Foster Pancakes without alcohol or with rum! If you like banana pancakes, you’ll LOVE these bananas foster pancakes – IHOP has got nothin’ on these!
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Or use this banana foster recipe to top your Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream, your Banana Cake, or your Banana Bread French Toast!
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What flavor is Bananas Foster?
Bananas Foster is another great recipe that comes to us from New Orleans! It's a decadent dessert made with ripe bananas, brown sugar, butter, and rum, and can also be made with cinnamon and banana liqueur. It's all cooked together and served with vanilla ice cream for even more deliciousness!
The traditional Bananas Foster recipe originated at Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans in 1951. At that time, owner Owen Brennan challenged his chef, Paul Blangé, to create a dish that featured bananas. And the Bananas Foster was born! Chef Blangé even flambéed the delicious dessert for a little more drama, adding to its renown.
Why is it called Bananas Foster?
The name comes from the originators of the dish. The owner of Brennan's Restaurant, Owen Brennan, named it after his friend Richard Foster, who was a civic leader in New Orleans at the time.
Banana Foster Pancakes Without Alcohol
You can definitely make these Banana Foster pancakes without alcohol! Just top your banana pancakes with a decadent Banana Foster sauce made with rum extract instead of rum! Check the recipe card below for the measurements, but not to worry!
You don't have to use rum to enjoy this delicious Bananas Foster pancakes recipe! But if you are a fan of recipes with rum, try my Rum Espresso Martini!
What is Banana Foster made of?
Check the recipe card below for measurements, but here's what you'll need for this easy recipe for buttermilk pancake batter!
- flour - you'll need all-purpose flour for these bananas foster pancakes. I haven't tried this recipe with other flour options, but I imagine it would also work well with oat flour! Be sure to check out my post on measuring dry ingredients for the best accuracy!
- baking powder & baking soda - these leavening agents add that fluffy texture that every banana pancakes recipe needs!
- ground cinnamon - this is optional since we'll be adding cinnamon to our banana foster topping later on, but
- salt - a little salt brings out the buttery flavors of these pancakes!
- buttermilk - this is the secret to fluffy pancakes! The acid in buttermilk helps the pancakes rise, and gives them a tangy flavor that is so good.
- eggs - we'll use a whole egg and an egg yolk to add some richness and structure to our fluffy buttermilk pancakes.
- vanilla - be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Or better yet, check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just 2 ingredients!
- melted butter - a little butter helps the pancakes to have a rich, moist texture. I like to use salted butter for these pancakes.
- granulated sugar - to add a bit of sweetness to our pancakes.
And then, instead of maple syrup, we'll make a decadent Banana Foster sauce for the top of the pancakes!
- salted butter - I like using salted butter to offset the sweetness in this sauce a bit.
- dark brown sugar - the rich sweetness of dark brown sugar is perfect in this recipe!
- dark rum - or try them with bourbon! And you can also make these Banana Foster pancakes without alcohol! Just substitute a little rum extract in for the rum!
- cinnamon - a little bit of cinnamon is a fantastic complement to the sweet and buttery flavors in these pancakes!
- walnuts - a handful of chopped walnuts adds a lovely buttery crunch to this banana topping for pancakes!
- vanilla - as I mention above, be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract, or you can make your own!
- banana slices - for best results, choose fresh bananas that are just barely ripe, or even a little underripe. That way the caramelized bananas won't get too mushy while cooking. And for more fruity goodness, check out my Blueberry Cake Filling!
- whipped cream - this is optional, but what better for your sweet tooth than a dollop of fresh whipped cream? Plus, it's a nice nod to the classic Bananas Foster recipe that is served with creamy vanilla ice cream!
Variation: Banana Foster French Toast
If you love these Bananas Foster pancakes, you'll love this twist: Banana Foster French Toast! Just follow the ingredients in your favorite French toast recipe -- my Keto French toast is a great option (just substitute the Keto bread for your favorite brioche). Then make this amazing Banana Foster sauce to pour all over your finished French toast, and brunch is served!
Bananas Foster Pancakes Calories
This banana foster recipe definitely a decadent treat, so it's not low in calories fat, or sugar! One serving (one-fourth of the recipe) is calculated below in the recipe card to contain 671 calories for 3-4 bananas foster pancakes including the caramelized bananas and sauce. Nutrition Disclaimer
Equipment
I use a griddle pan for these Banana Foster pancakes -- You can also use an electric griddle, or even just a large nonstick skillet. You'll also need a pan to make your sauce (I use a Le Creuset skillet), as well as a good pancake spatula.
Storage
You can store your pancakes in an airtight container for up to two days in the fridge. I would recommend serving the Banana Foster sauce the day you make it, since the bananas won't be as fresh tasting later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
I definitely recommend topping your Bananas Foster pancakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They're also delicious with my Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte or my Air Fryer Hash Browns!
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute whole milk, with 4 teaspoons of the milk replaced with vinegar. Or you can make your pancakes dairy free using my Oat Milk Pancakes recipe and subbing in nondairy butter in the banana topping for the pancakes!
You can definitely make these banana foster pancakes without alcohol! Just stir in a tablespoon of rum extract into the sauce just before adding your banana slices!
Often, banana pancakes fall apart if there are large pieces of banana in the batter. But since we're making these bananas foster pancakes with the banana slices on top, we won't have that issue! If you're using this Banana Foster sauce with my Banana Cinnamon Pancakes recipe, you won't have that problem because it uses mashed bananas instead of chunks of banana.
You may not have preheated your pan sufficiently. It's important to let your pan heat all the way up before adding your pancake batter, so that the batter doesn't cook too slowly and absorb the oil from the pan. This can lead to a flat, soggy pancake. I'd recommend heating your pan for 5 minutes before adding oil, then another minute to let the oil heat up.
This is essentially a recipe for a banana topping for pancakes, so the best thing about this recipe is that it's totally customizable! If you'd rather use a boxed pancake mix and top that stack of pancakes with the Banana Foster sauce, feel free! You can also swap this buttermilk pancakes recipe for a dairy free pancakes recipe like my oat milk pancakes, or this gluten-free recipe for Coconut Flour Pancakes works too!
My favorite breakfast side dish is my Fried Potatoes and Onions! And my White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins and my Mango Overnight Oats are perfect for your sweet tooth! And around Thanksgiving time, be sure to check out my 24 Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Right!
If you've got a sourdough starter, check out these quick sourdough discard waffles!
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
Top Tip
Be sure to use bananas that aren't too ripe, or they might get mushy in the sauce. In fact, it's even better if the banana is slightly underripe!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour - measured by weight with a kitchen scale or fluffed and measured with the spoon-and-level method
- 1 ½ teaspoon (6 g) baking powder
- ½ teaspoons (2 g) baking soda
- 2 tablespoon (24 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon - optional
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1½ cups (360 g) buttermilk - (room temperature) plus extra as needed
- 1 large egg - room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk - room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) salted butter - melted
- butter, vegetable oil, or cooking spray - for the pan
Caramelized Bananas and Banana Foster Sauce
- 3 tablespoon (44 ml) salted butter
- ½ cup (110 g) dark brown sugar - packed
- 4 teaspoon (20 ml) dark rum - or 1 teaspoon rum extract
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon - (optional)
- ⅓ cup (39 g) chopped walnuts
- 1½ teaspoon (7 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 3 medium bananas - sliced; slightly underripe is best – yellow with slightly green tops and minimal spots
- whipped cream - optional
Instructions
- Heat a griddle pan or electric griddle over medium heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoons baking soda, 2 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, add buttermilk, egg and egg yolk, vanilla, and melted butter. Whisk well until combined.1½ cups buttermilk, 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, whisking until mixture is just combined.
- Grease pan and use a measuring cup to pour ¼ cup of batter onto hot pan, spreading if necessary to form a circle.butter, vegetable oil, or cooking spray
- Flip when pancake is dry on the edges and has small bubbles on the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Cook on the other side until golden brown.
- Continue with remaining batter until all pancakes are cooked.
Bananas Foster Sauce
- In another skillet, melt butter over medium heat.3 tablespoon salted butter
- Add rum, brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts and stir to dissolve brown sugar (if using rum extract, wait to add it until the next step). Let cook 1-2 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbling.
- Stir in vanilla extract and banana slices and toss to coat bananas in sauce. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes.1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 3 medium bananas
- Remove from heat and pour bananas and sauce over served pancakes, along with whipped cream if you like.whipped cream
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety Tips
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Last Updated on September 14, 2025 by Chenée Lewis
Kathleen says
The pancakes look so light and fluffy, and the bananas foster on top looks incredible. I could eat these for breakfast, brunch or dessert.
Casey says
This is absolutely my favorite new pancake topping! I could eat this every day!
Chenée Lewis says
Same here! I love it!
Amy says
I made these without rum or rum extract (didn’t have any on hand), and with boxed pancake mix. I also made whipped cream for the top. It was amazing and the best thing I’ve made for breakfast in ages!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad it worked well!! Thanks!
Hilda says
My husband made these for me for Mother’s Day! One word to describe them: FABULOUS!
Chenée Lewis says
I'm so happy to hear that! Happy Mother's Day! 💐
Sue says
Omg these look spectacular, so fluffy!
Casey says
These pancakes were amazing! I plan on making them again for Mother's Day brunch.
Chenée Lewis says
What a great idea!
Kim says
OH MY GOODNESS! I can't think of anything I'd love more for breakfast (or dessert, for that matter!)
Gina says
What a way to start the day! Banana pancakes are a favorite of mine and this recipe took it to the next level! I will be making these again!
Chenée Lewis says
SO glad you liked them! Thank you!
Dana says
The most perfect way to kick your pancakes up a few notches! Absolutely delicious!
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you so much!
Dina and Bruce says
Everything about this recipe makes us happy! And made our family happy when we made it!
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful to hear! Thanks!
Jacqueline Debono says
I'd never heard of bananas foster before trying this recipe. Now I'm hooked. So yummy! So far I've served it with pancakes as per this recipe, and vanilla ice-cream. Now I want to try it with waffles!
Chenée Lewis says
It's amazing on everything!
Veronika says
Banana Foster flavor is new to me but oh my, these pancakes were amazing!! I'll definitely make the sauce again soon to use on desserts and ice cream while it's still hot out.
Chenée Lewis says
I definitely recommend it! 🙂
Cathleen says
You just took banana pancakes to the next level!! I am obsessed with these! Thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you! Glad you liked them!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
These look absolutely to die for! LOOK how fluffy they are and that bananas foster topping... that is everything! Definitely making this weekend!
Chenée Lewis says
Thank you so much! I love these pancakes!
Jessica says
Heavenly! I'm always looking for ways to use up the bananas that grow on our farm, and this was such a treat. Taking pancakes to the next level!!
Chenée Lewis says
Wow so lucky to have bananas growing on your farm! So glad you liked the recipe!
Tracy says
My banana loving family absolute devoured these! So so good. That sauce is incredible!
Chenée Lewis says
It's the best part!
Heather says
Oh my I’m drooling over these pancakes… going to make these this weekend for the ultimate breakfast indulgence!
Chenée Lewis says
Perfect weekend brunch! Enjoy!
Sean says
Pure decadence right here! These were so good and perfect for a special breakfast in bed.
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful! So glad they were a hit! 🙂
Ann says
These pancakes sound like quite the treat for breakfast! Excited to give them a try! Thanks for the share!
Chenée Lewis says
Hope you love them! 🙂
Lauren Michael Harris says
I do believe I am now addicted to Bananas foster! I held off trying it for so long because I don't love bananas, but apparently I do love cooked bananas - especially over pancakes. This recipe is a definite winner!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you liked it! I also don't love bananas on their own, but in bananas foster they're magic!