Bananas Foster Pancakes Recipe

As many of you know, late last year I published a short cookbook, Pacific Northwest Plates, featuring nearly every recipe mentioned in the Thomas Austin Crime Thriller series from books 1 through 10.

The very first recipe in the cookbook is Bananas Foster Pancakes. It’s simple enough to make but still feels a little indulgent—perfect for a weekend breakfast or when you want something a bit special. I lived in New Orleans briefly in the early 2000s, which is where I was first introduced to Bananas Foster. I’ve loved those flavors ever since, which is why I included a breakfast version in The Bones at Point No Point, the first book in the Thomas Austin series.

The weather’s finally starting to feel like spring here, but we’re still getting the occasional gray and rainy day and this recipe has been perfect for that. Warm pancakes and caramelized bananas are hard to beat on a chilly morning.

If you’re interested in the full cookbook, the ebook is free for newsletter subscribers, and if you’re not signed up yet, you can do so here. If you prefer a paperback copy, it’s available on my website and Amazon.

Prep Time: 15 minutes  Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients:

For the Pancakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups milk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ripe bananas

For the Bananas Foster Topping:

2 large bananas, sliced

1/3 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup dark rum

Optional: 2 tablespoons heavy cream for sauce

Optional: whipped cream for serving

Recipe Notes:

Add Crunch: For extra texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the Bananas Foster topping before serving.

Caramelized Bananas: To elevate the topping, you can caramelize the banana slices by allowing them to brown slightly in the skillet before adding the rum. This will bring out even more natural sweetness.

Buttermilk Variation: For an even fluffier, tangier pancake, swap the regular milk for 1 1/4 cups of buttermilk.

Instructions

Make the Pancake Batter:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

2. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (don’t overmix).

4. Gently fold in the mashed bananas.

Make the Bananas Foster Topping:

Note: If you’re using cream, stir it in after the rum has cooked off. Let it simmer for another minute, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens slightly. Adding cream makes the sauce richer with a smooth, velvety texture. Leaving the cream out makes a sauce that’s more intensely caramelized and lighter in texture. Ultimately, it’s all down to personal preference.

5. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

6. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring until the sugar dissolves into a smooth sauce (about 2-3 minutes).

7. Add the sliced bananas to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until they soften slightly.

8. Carefully pour in the rum and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off.

9. Keep the topping warm over very low heat while you prepare the pancakes.

Cook the Pancakes:

10. Heat a nonstick griddle or large skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter.

11. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the griddle. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes.

12. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

13. Transfer to a plate and keep warm until ready to serve.

Assemble the Pancakes:

14. Serve the pancakes topped with the warm Bananas Foster sauce. Top with whipped cream (Optional).

“He’d spent the morning with Andy, training a new cook and testing out some pancake recipes on the regulars. Mr. and Mrs. McGuilicutty had agreed with everyone else: the bananas foster pancakes were the clear winner and should be added to the menu.“

–Thomas Austin Book 1: The Bones at Point No Point

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think—feel free to leave a comment and let me know. And if you’re curious about the Thomas Austin or S.W.O.R.D. series, you can find them both on Amazon or here on my website. Happy cooking!