Slow-Cooker Banana Foster Recipe

This slow cooker banana foster dessert, made from bananas and vanilla ice cream with a buttery run sauce, is sumptuous.

What is banana foster?

Made famous in New Orleans in 1951 when it was created at Brennan’s Restaurant by Chef Paul Blange. 

Due to its popularity, banana foster became a product of the area’s past banana trade from Central and South America.

At the time, bananas were considered an exotic fruit.

This dessert is the perfect tradition for Mardi Gras or just a delectable dessert. This dish is named after a friend, Richard Foster, of the then, New Orleans Crime Commission Chairman, Owen Brennan.

This dessert, made from bananas and vanilla ice cream, with a sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum, and banana liqueur, is sumptuous. The butter, sugar and bananas are cooked, and then traditionally, rum is added and ignited. The bananas and sauce are then served over the ice cream. The dish’s preparation is often made into a tableside performance as a flambé.

Slow-Cooker Banana Foster Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 5 medium, firm bananas, peeled, cut lengthwise and then diagonally into thirds
• 1/3 cup dark rum or rum extract (you can also substitute with heavy cream)

Slow-Cooker Banana Foster Recipe Directions:

• Peel and cut the bananas in half lengthwise so they are quartered.
• Melt butter in slow cooker on low (approx. 10 minutes)
• Mix in brown sugar
• Gently stir in the bananas, cut side up, and rum.
• Cook on low for one hour (until bananas are glazed and softened; do not overcook. You don’t want mushy bananas.)

How to serve Bananas Foster:

• This classic dessert is typically served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a rum sauce drizzle.
• Banana Foster can also be served over pancakes and topped with whipped cream.
• This dessert pairs perfectly with toasted bread or French Toast. Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Pro Tip:

For best results, turn the crock pot off immediately when the cooking time is complete.

Rum Replacements: skip the rum and replace it with water, apple juice, orange juice, heavy cream or maple syrup.

Make Ahead:

You can make the sauce mix ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Warm the sauce in the microwave to melt the butter, and follow the remaining directions accordingly.

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