Grilled Bananas with Honey and Cinnamon

Introduction

You cook peeled bananas over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, which gives you light char on the outside and a soft center. Cinnamon and honey keep the finish simple, and the short cook time makes this a quick dessert or warm snack.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Servings: 2

Ingredients

Ripe bananas, peeled

Butter or vegetable oil, for grilling

Cinnamon (optional, for sprinkling)

Honey, for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Place the peeled bananas directly on the grill grates or grill pan.

Grill the bananas for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are lightly charred and softened.

Remove the grilled bananas from the heat and transfer them to a serving plate.

Optionally, sprinkle the grilled bananas with cinnamon for added flavor.

Serve hot as a dessert or snack. If desired, drizzle the grilled bananas with honey or maple syrup for additional sweetness.

Variations

• Use vegetable oil instead of butter for grilling if you want a cleaner, lighter finish with less dairy richness.
• Drizzle maple syrup instead of honey at the end for a darker caramel note and a fully plant-based topping.
• Split the bananas lengthwise before grilling instead of leaving them whole; the extra surface area gives you more char and a softer final texture.
• Use just-ripe bananas instead of heavily spotted ones if you want the fruit to hold its shape better on the grill.

Tips for Success

• Choose ripe bananas that are yellow with a few brown spots; overly soft bananas can break when you turn them.
• Lightly coat the grill grates or grill pan with the butter or vegetable oil so the bananas release cleanly.
• Turn the bananas only after they show light char and lift easily from the grates or pan.
• Add the cinnamon and honey after grilling, not before, so the toppings stay fragrant and do not scorch.

Storage and Reheating

Store cooled grilled bananas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. They do not freeze well; the texture turns watery and too soft after thawing.

Reheat in a skillet or grill pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or microwave in short 15-20 second bursts until just warm. These are best eaten fresh.

FAQ

Can you make these in a grill pan instead of on an outdoor grill?

Yes. A grill pan works as written and gives you similar browning, though the char may be slightly lighter.

How ripe should the bananas be?

Use bananas that are ripe but still firm, ideally yellow with a few brown spots. Very soft bananas can collapse as they cook.

Can you make this dairy-free?

Yes. Use vegetable oil instead of butter for grilling, and keep the optional honey or use maple syrup if you want a plant-based finish.

Can you make grilled bananas ahead of time?

You can cook them a few hours ahead and reheat gently, but they are softest and most structured right off the grill. If you need to hold them, wait to add the cinnamon and honey until serving.