This Minatamis na Saging recipe is a Filipino favorite, offering a simple and sweet caramelized banana treat made with minimal ingredients and easy steps.
Minatamis na Saging, or sweetened bananas, is a classic Filipino dessert that everyone loves.
This delightful treat is all about showcasing the Philippines’ abundant and delicious bananas while keeping it super simple. Just toss those ripe bananas in a pan, add some brown sugar, and watch the magic happen! Inspired by my other faves like minatamis na langka, banana con yelo, avocado with condensed milk, and that unforgettable ice scramble, this dessert is an easy way to bring a bit of home to your kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is super simple, taking just a few minutes to whip up. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without fuss!
- Tropical Flavor: The sweet and caramelized bananas bring a taste of the tropics right to your kitchen. It’s like a mini vacation in every bite!
- Kid-Friendly: This dessert is a hit with kids and adults alike, making it a great addition to family gatherings or celebrations.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable ingredients, it’s an economical treat that doesn’t skimp on flavor or satisfaction.
- Healthier Sweet Option: Naturally sweetened with minimal added sugar, it’s a more wholesome dessert option compared to heavily processed sweets.
What is Saba Banana? 🍌
The saba banana, also known as the saba or sweet plantain, is a unique banana variety native to the Philippines. Unlike its dessert banana cousins, saba bananas are starchy and pack a subtle sweetness. This characteristic makes them perfect for savory dishes. They are shorter and thicker than regular bananas, with a firm texture that holds its shape well when cooked. Rich in fiber and potassium, saba bananas are a nutritious addition to any meal.
🥘Ingredients
- Saba Banana: The choice of saba bananas adds a unique texture and flavor, perfect for caramelization in this traditional Filipino dessert.
- Brown sugar: Selected for its rich caramel flavor that complements the natural sweetness of bananas.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and aromatic warmth to the dish.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile with a subtle savory note.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪How to Make Minatamis na Saging
- Peel and slice the ripe saba bananas into uniform pieces.
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, vanilla , salt and water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup starts to simmer.
- Carefully add the sliced bananas to the simmering syrup. Reduce the heat to low and let the bananas cook gently, allowing them to absorb the caramelized syrup. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the bananas are tender and the syrup has thickened to a desired consistency, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the saba are cooked to your liking and the syrup has thickened, remove the saucepan from heat. Let the Minatamis na Saging cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm as a delightful dessert or snack.
📖Variations
There are several variations of Minatamis na Saging that you can explore to add variety to this classic Filipino dessert:
- Banana Con Yelo: To transform Minatamis na Saging into Banana Con Yelo, simply top a serving of the caramelized saba with shaved ice, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk. The combination of cold, creamy, and sweet elements creates a refreshing dessert perfect for hot summer days.
- Adding Pandan Leaves: Infuse the syrup with pandan leaves to impart a fragrant, floral aroma to the dish.
- Coconut Milk: Substitute some or all of the water with coconut milk for a richer, creamier flavor profile.
- Additional Spices: Enhance the syrup with spices such as cinnamon.
- Coconut Flakes: Garnish the Minatamis na Saging with toasted coconut flakes for added texture and tropical flair.
- Sago Pearls: Cook some sago pearls separately and add them to the dish for a chewy contrast to the soft saba.
- Evaporated Milk: Pour evaporated milk over the cooked banana before serving for an extra indulgent treat.
Popular Recipes Using Saba Bananas
- Arroz Ala Cubana: A delightful Filipino dish featuring rice topped with sautéed ground meat, fried egg, and sweet banana. It’s a comfort food favorite!
- Banana Con Yelo: A refreshing dessert made with sweetened saba bananas, crushed ice, and milk. Perfect for hot days and a popular street food treat!
- Fried Saba: Simply sliced and fried saba bananas until golden brown. This crunchy snack is loved for its sweet flavor and crispy texture.
- Gluay Kaeg: A Thai-style deep-fried banana snack, often served as a dessert. It has a crispy coating and a soft, sweet center that’s hard to resist!
- Halo-Halo: A popular Filipino dessert that layers sweetened fruits, including saba bananas, with shaved ice and evaporated milk. It’s a colorful and refreshing summer treat!
- BananaTuron: A sweet snack made by wrapping saba bananas in spring roll wrappers, then frying until crispy. It’s often coated in caramelized sugar for extra sweetness.
- Pochero: A hearty Filipino stew featuring meat, vegetables, and saba bananas for a touch of sweetness. The bananas add depth to the savory flavors!
- Banana Cue: A popular street food where saba bananas are deep-fried and coated in caramelized brown sugar. It's a deliciously sweet and sticky treat!
- Ginataan: A creamy coconut dessert that combines saba bananas with other sweet ingredients like sweet potatoes and tapioca pearls, simmered in coconut milk.
What To Serve This With
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream adds a rich and cool element to the warm, sweet bananas. This combo is a classic crowd-pleaser!
- Puto: Filipino steamed rice cakes known for their fluffy texture. The mild flavor of puto pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of Minatamis na Saging.
- Pinoy Taho: Silken tofu with sweet syrup and sago pearls creates a comforting combination. Serving them together brings a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
- Mais Con Yelo: A sweet corn dessert with crushed ice and milk. This refreshing dish is a perfect balance to the rich flavors of the bananas.
- Turon: Crispy banana spring rolls filled with saba and brown sugar. Serving them alongside Minatamis na Saging adds an extra layer of sweetness to your dessert spread.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Drizzle over the Minatamis na Saging for an extra creamy touch. It enhances the sweetness and adds richness to each bite.
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👉Storage
Allow any leftover Minatamis na Saging to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 3-4 days.
👩🏻🍳Top tip
- Choose Ripe Bananas or Saba: Opt for bananas or saba that are ripe but still firm. Overly ripe fruits may become mushy during cooking.
- Slice Uniformly: To ensure even cooking, slice the bananas into uniform pieces. This helps them cook at the same rate and results in a consistent texture.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the syrup before adding the bananas. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, you can add more brown sugar to the syrup according to your taste.
- Low Heat: Once the bananas are added to the syrup, reduce the heat to low. This allows them to cook gently and absorb the flavors without burning.
- Stir Occasionally: While cooking, stir the bananas occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure that they are evenly coated with the syrup.
- Don't Overcook: Be mindful not to overcook the bananas , as they can become too soft and lose their texture. They should be tender but still hold their shape.
- Garnish Creatively: Get creative with garnishes such as toasted coconut flakes, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of condensed milk to enhance the presentation and flavor of your Minatamis na Saging.
- Serve Warm or Cold: Minatamis na Saging can be enjoyed either warm or cold, so serve it according to your preference.
💭FAQ
Yes, saba bananas are a healthy choice! They're packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a good source of potassium and aiding digestion.
Yes, you can eat saba bananas raw! While less common, they're perfectly safe and offer the most nutritional value uncooked. The taste is starchy with a hint of sweetness, different from the typical dessert banana. Most enjoy them cooked though, as their texture softens and the sweetness becomes more pronounced.
Saba bananas might offer some anti-inflammatory benefits. They're high in fiber, which can aid digestion and potentially reduce inflammation. Additionally, some studies suggest certain bioactive compounds in bananas may have anti-inflammatory properties, but more research is needed specifically for saba bananas.
Saba bananas are moderately high in calories compared to some fruits, but not excessively so. They offer a good amount of energy per serving, with a typical saba banana containing around 200 calories.
Plantains and saba bananas are both starchy cooking bananas, but saba leans sweeter. Plantains are generally less sweet and have a firmer texture, even when ripe. This makes them ideal for savory dishes. Saba bananas, on the other hand, have a natural sweetness and creamier texture, perfect for both sweet and savory applications.
Related
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Pair with Classic Filipino Dishes
These are my favorite dishes to serve with minatamis na saging:
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📋 Recipe Card
Minatamis Na Saging
Equipment
- 1 Medium-sized pot or Saucepan
Ingredients
- 6 pieces saba bananas
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Peel and slice the ripe saba bananas into uniform pieces, about 1-inch thick.
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar and water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup starts to simmer.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt, mixing well to incorporate the flavors into the syrup.
- Carefully add the sliced bananas to the simmering syrup. Reduce the heat to low and let the bananas cook gently, allowing them to absorb the caramelized syrup. Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the bananas are tender.
- Once the saba are cooked to your liking and the syrup has thickened, remove the saucepan from heat. Let the Minatamis na Saging cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm as a delightful dessert or snack.
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
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