Bananas And Egg Roll Wrappers Are The Start Of Your New Favorite Dessert

Give bananas a little razzle-dazzle by encasing them in egg roll wrappers. The bananas achieve a dessert-like taste with the help of brown sugar, while the frying process gives them a comforting touch, with a nice, crisp wrapper and a caramelized sugar coating. Meanwhile, the fruit stays tender on the inside, creating a pleasant contrast.

This is one of the must-try traditional Filipino foods, known as turon. It's typically enjoyed as an afternoon treat in the Philippines and is readily available from street vendors or at small local canteens that serve affordable, home-cooked meals. But since you can't find it just anywhere in the U.S., you'll either have to visit a Filipino restaurant or make it at home. Don't worry, it's pretty straightforward, especially if you've already tried making spring rolls.

Before wrapping the bananas, you'll want to give them a generous coating of brown sugar. You can also throw in some jackfruit, though some people prefer turon without it. Add brown sugar to the hot oil, making sure to give it a good stir to spread it evenly, and then add the rolls once the sugar has begun to caramelize. Since sugar is prone to burning, don't forget to flip the rolls from time to time. You'll know they're ready once they've browned and the sugar clings to the wrappers.

Saba bananas are what's usually used in turon, though plantains can be a worthy substitute if you can't find the same variety. Ultimately, you'll need a type of banana that's firm enough to survive frying. The same goes for the wrapper, so you'll want to steer clear of something like rice paper. Spring roll wrappers are usually used in classic turon. We also like egg roll wrappers because they're thicker, so you'll have a far crunchier exterior. The right kind of oil — specifically one with a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, like canola — should be used so that the balance of flavors isn't affected. Alternatively, you can air fry your banana egg rolls if you want a less greasy option.

You can draw inspiration from some modern takes on classic turon if you want something more exciting, like adding Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to the filling for a complementary twist. Meanwhile, the popular ube also makes a delicious banana egg roll filling, adding a vanilla-like sweetness. If you want to zhuzh it up further, you can add a drizzle of chocolate syrup as the finishing touch, dip it in caramel sauce, or serve it alongside a scoop of ice cream.

Turon is often served in a thin plastic bag for on-the-go snacking, though you can enjoy it on a plate with a fork and knife, especially if you're serving it with other ingredients. It's best eaten hot so that you can enjoy the wrapper while it's still perfectly crispy, along with the crunchy caramelized sugar and warm, comforting banana.