Banana Crumble Recipe

Introduction

Banana Crumble is a warm, comforting dessert that combines soft, saucy bananas with a crunchy, buttery topping. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and enhanced by toasted pecans, this dish is ideal for cozy nights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• Topping:
• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cup pecans, toasted
• Filling:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup light or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 medium bananas, cut into 1-inch chunks (not thin slices)
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped topping, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, and flour for the topping. Use your fingers to rub in the cold butter cubes until the mixture becomes crumbly. Stir in the toasted pecans, then refrigerate the topping while preparing the filling.
2. Step 2: In a 10-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Add the brown sugar and stir continuously until it dissolves and forms a wet, syrupy mixture, about 3 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and salt.
3. Step 3: Carefully add the orange juice to the skillet; it may sizzle and splatter. Cook for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Add the banana chunks to the skillet and gently toss them to coat in the sauce. Spread the bananas evenly in the pan.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the chilled topping evenly over the banana mixture.
6. Step 6: Place the skillet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.
7. Step 7: Let the banana crumble cool in the skillet for about 10 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream as desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use ripe but firm bananas to ensure they hold their shape and don’t turn mushy when cooked.
• Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds based on your preference or what you have on hand.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the filling spices.
• If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use any oven-safe baking dish but reduce the baking time slightly.

Storage

Store any leftover banana crumble covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or in a 350°F oven until hot. The topping may lose some crispness but will still taste delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the banana crumble ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the topping and filling separately ahead of time. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I use frozen bananas in this recipe?

While fresh bananas are preferred for texture, frozen bananas can be used if thawed and drained well. They may produce a softer filling.

Banana Crumble Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 335 reviews

This Banana Crumble dessert features tender banana chunks coated in a cinnamon-spiced orange sugar sauce, topped with a buttery oat and pecan crumble. Baked to golden perfection in a cast iron skillet, it pairs delightfully with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping for a comforting and flavorful treat.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Topping

• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cup pecans, toasted

Filling

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup light or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 medium bananas, cut into chunks about 1 inch long
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped topping, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, and flour. Work in the cold butter with your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly. Stir in the toasted pecans, then refrigerate the topping while you prepare the filling.
2. Make the filling base: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet over low heat. Add the brown sugar and stir continuously until it dissolves into a wet, sliding sugar mass, about 3 minutes.
3. Add spices and juice: Stir in the cinnamon and salt, then carefully add the orange juice. The mixture will sizzle and splatter; cook for about 1 minute until it thickens slightly.
4. Coat the bananas: Gently add the banana chunks to the skillet, tossing carefully to coat them well in the syrup. Spread the bananas and sauce evenly across the skillet.
5. Top and bake: Remove the skillet from the heat. Evenly sprinkle the prepared topping over the bananas. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.
6. Cool and serve: Allow the crumble to cool in the skillet for about 10 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping as desired.

Notes

• Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet to ensure safe transfer from stovetop to oven.
• To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-8 minutes, stirring once, until fragrant.
• Be cautious when adding the orange juice to hot sugar mixture to avoid splatters.
• For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to the filling while cooking.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.

Keywords: Banana crumble, banana dessert, baked fruit dessert, oat crumble, pecan topping, comfort food, easy dessert