Bananas Foster: The Easiest Dessert You’ll Ever Light on Fire

5.0

(6)

12 Reviews

This classic flambéed banana-and-caramel dessert comes together in minutes in a single skillet, making it both impressive and easy.

By Daniel Gritzer

Daniel Gritzer Daniel is the editorial director of Serious Eats, where he leads the site's editorial strategy and oversees everything from recipe development to articles on food science, cooking techniques, and more. He's a former food editor at Food & Wine and has cooked in New York City restaurants.

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Updated on November 7, 2026

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In This Article

Why It Works

A pinch of salt highlights all the other flavors and helps balance the caramel’s sweetness.

Melting butter and brown sugar with warm spices builds a bubbling, spiced caramel base.

Simmering the rum instead of flambéing still produces a thick caramel without the need for flames.

I will be the first to tell you that I am…