Banana Tempura Recipes: Best Guide

If you are looking for something sweet and deep-fried to be a hit with kids, you should try banana tempura.

Coating bananas make this easy Japanese dessert in a batter of egg, flour, and milk, then frying them until they’re golden brown and crispy. 

You can Serve this recipe with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream for an extra special treat!

This recipe is also a great way to introduce your family to the tempura cooking style.

Now, let’s analyze what you need to do and get to make the perfect tempura for your kids and family. 

About Banana Tempura

Tempura is a popular Japanese dish or appetizer made of vegetables and seafood coated in a very light and airy batter and fried to perfection.

This dish was introduced when the 16th-Century Portuguese came to Japan. It’s called tempura in Japan and has been a staple of the country’s cuisine ever since.

The idea of Frying bananas in tempura has caught on, and the dessert can be found in many Japanese restaurants around the world, including Benihana.

Tempura is a Japanese method of preparing bananas that involve deep-frying them in tempura batter. 

It is a Japanese frying technique, with the batter being light and crispy, resulting in a crisp exterior and a soft, almost creamy interior.

Meanwhile, the batter for banana tempura is often made with flour and ice water to help keep the batter from getting too thick.

Then the bananas are dipped in the batter and deep fried in oil at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Someone can garnish this mealThis meal can be garnished with powdered sugar or cinnamon, which adds a great contrast to the crispiness of the batter. It can be served as an appetizer or dessert. It

How To Make Banana Tempura

Ingredients needed for Banana Tempura Recipe

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 egg
  • 6 Bananas
  • 3 cups Vegetable oil 
  • Confectioners sugar 
  • Salt 

Ingredients Note

  • All-Purpose Flour: Use the combination of rice flour and all-purpose flour to give the tempura batter the right texture.

You can swap the all-purpose flour for more rice flour if you want gluten-free banana tempura.

  • Vegetable Oil: Canola oil is best for deep frying as it has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. You can also use Sunflower oil. 
  • Sparkling Water: Add ice cold to your sparkling water to help your tempura to come out extra light and crispy. Ice-cold water is the secret to yielding fluffy and light tempura.
  • Bananas: use slightly unripe bananas, so the ripe banana won’t make them fall apart.
  • Rice Flour: Rice flour is traditionally used in tempura batter, as it yields the best results. 

However, if you replace it with another flour, the recipe will still work.

  • Baking Powder: Baking powder helps the tempura puff, making it light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Salt naturally helps enhance the flavor of all the other ingredients.

Instructions On How To Make Banana Tempura

  • Peel the bananas and cut them in half lengthwise. 

Then Cut each half in half again horizontally. You can also slice the banana into coin shapes for smaller fritters.

  • Whisk together the rice flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, water, and salt in a bowl by hand. Do not over-mix the batter. 
  • Heat your oil in a deep pan, wok, or deep fryer until it’s shimmering. 
  • Use tongs to coat the banana pieces in the batter and carefully drop them into the oil. 

Ensure to leave space between each piece, or your banana tempura will stick together.

  • Fry the bananas for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once at the halfway point.
  • Remove the banana pieces from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate or a cooling rack with paper towels underneath it.
  • Your banana tempura is ready to be served!

Cooking information 

  • Prep Time: 7 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition information per serving 

  • Calories: 216 kcal 
  • Carbohydrates: 45g 
  • Protein: 6g 
  • Fat: 3g 
  • Saturated Fat: 1g 
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g 
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 1g 
  • Trans Fat: 1g 
  • Cholesterol: 32mg 
  • Sodium: 27mg 
  • Potassium: 516mg 
  • Fiber: 4g 
  • Sugar: 16g 
  • Vitamin A: 181IU 
  • Vitamin C: 10mg s
  • Calcium: 63mg 
  • Iron: 1mg

Expert Tips and Variation

  • You can also bake the banana tempura instead of frying it for a healthier version.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and coat the banana slices in the batter. Then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes. Flip and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Dip the banana tempura in chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or your favorite dessert topping.
  • Add ¼ cup of cornstarch to the batter if you want a crunchier coating.
  • You can serve it with other fruits and vegetables in this recipe. 

All you have to do is to adjust the cooking time accordingly. 

Remember that thick slices of zucchini or sweet potato will take longer to cook than thin slices of banana.

How To Serve Banana Tempura

Banana tempura can be Served with chocolate chickpea ice cream for a Japanese-inspired banana split.

  • Make a pot of vegan dulce de leche to dip your banana tempura into.
  • Dust with desiccated coconut flakes.
  • Once cut, stuff your bananas with strips of chocolate or chocolate chips.
  • Add a tablespoon of desiccated coconut to the tempura batter.

Knowing The Right Banana For This Recipe 

The best bananas for banana tempura recipes are the slightly under ripe ones. Ripe bananas will fall apart when you coat them in batter and fry them.

Best Oil For Frying Tempura

The best oil for frying tempura is a light vegetable oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or peanut oil. 

Avoid using olive oil, as it has a lower smoke point and will burn at a higher temperature.

Final Thoughts

Tempura is a popular Japanese dish or appetizer made of vegetables and seafood coated in a very light and airy batter and fried to perfection.

It was introduced when the 16th-Century Portuguese came to Japan. 

Banana tempura is a Japanese method of preparing bananas that involve deep-frying them in tempura batter, with the batter being light and crispy, so the result is a crisp exterior and a soft, almost creamy interior.

To make this recipe, you need 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of milk, 1 egg, 6 Bananas, 3 cups of Vegetable oil, Confectioners sugar, and Salt.

Then follow the method of preparation explained above. 

This meal can be garnished with powdered sugar or cinnamon, which adds a great contrast to the crispiness of the batter. It can be served as an appetizer or dessert.

Did you try this recipe? Kindly share your thoughts with us. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is banana tempura made of?

Banana tempura is made by coating bananas in a batter of egg, flour, and milk and fried until they’re golden brown and crispy. 

How do you make banana tempura?

The batter for banana tempura is made with all-purpose flour, water, and egg. 

The batter is then used to coat sliced bananas before frying them in vegetable oil after mixing them. 

What can you serve with banana tempura?

You can use Whipped cream chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, honey, and ice cream to serve with banana tempura.  

How long does banana tempura last?

Banana tempura is best served fresh and warm immediately after cooking.

However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven or microwave, but the texture won’t be as crispy as when they’re first fried.

Can you freeze banana tempura?

Yes, banana tempura can be free. Put the leftovers in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 3 months. 

Then reheat in the oven or microwave when you are ready to eat. 

What is the difference between tempura and frying?

Tempura is a Japanese cooking method that involves coating food in a batter of egg, flour, and water before frying.  

Frying is simply cooking food in hot oil, and the food won’t be coated in a batter and, therefore, won’t have the same light and crispy texture.

How can I make banana tempura ice cream?

Combine sliced bananas and the tempura batter, then fry them until golden brown. 

Let them cool slightly before adding them to your ice cream maker. 

Can I make tempura without egg?

Yes,  tempura can be made without egg when you use a vegan-friendly batter recipe.

What kind of flour do you use for tempura?

All-purpose flour is the most commonly used for tempura, but you can also use rice flour or gluten-free flour.

What is the difference between tempura and karaage?

Tempura is a Japanese cooking method that involves coating food in a batter of egg, flour, and water before frying. 

Karaage is also a Japanese cooking method that involves marinating food in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before frying.

However, Tempura will have a light and crispy texture, while karaage will be more savory and moist.

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