Bananas Cooked in Sweet Syrup (Minatamis na Saging or Sinulbot)
Ripe bananas are simmered until tender in a simple sugar syrup giving them a deep amber color and adding another layer of sweet deliciousness to the fruit. It is great as a dessert or snack on its own but sometimes it’s mixed with crushed ice and a little evaporated milk (saba con hielo), making it a delightful summer treat!
If you haven’t tried bananas cooked in sugar syrup, it sounds kind of weird, at first. You’re probably asking – why would you cook bananas, which are already naturally sweet, in sugar? Wouldn’t that be too much sweetness? Actually not. Sweet, yes for sure, but not of the sickly kind but a wondrously delightfully sweet way that you’d be eating it over and over again!
In the Philippines it is locally called minatamis na saging or literally translated sweetened bananas. In my own province, we call it sinulbot – I don’t know why it’s called that but it has exactly the same meaning as sweetened (minatamis) bananas (saging).
The Philippines, having over, 7,100+ islands and various local dialects, we tend to have different names for exactly the same dishes! But, however they are called – they are both delicious and are always a delicious dessert option especially if you love bananas!
WHAT TYPE OF BANANAS DO YOU USE FOR MAKING THIS SWEETENED BANANAS IN SWEET SYRUP?
Ideally, use the local bananas we use in the Philippines locally named as “saba.” They are also called cardaba/cardava bananas. Burro bananas may also be used. If you aren’t able to get these – plantains are a good substitute. Make sure that the bananas are ripe or at least almost ripe but still quite firm and not mushy. That’s why cooking bananas are best to use for this because they retain their shape even when they’re cooked.
FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS & TO PRINT, PLEASE SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THIS SWEETENED BANANAS IN SWEET SYRUP?
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
- Cooking Bananas (Cardaba [locally known as saba bananas] or burro bananas are best but you may also use plantains. The bananas should be ripe but still firm and not mushy.)
HOW DO YOU COOK SWEETENED BANANAS IN SWEET SYRUP?
Over medium heat, in a saucepan, combine the water, sugar and, salt. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a syrupy consistency between 15-20 minutes more or less.
Add the sliced bananas and vanilla extract. Cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the bananas are tender and have developed a deep amber color.
To serve, place a few slices of bananas in a bowl and pour in a little syrup. It may be served warm or at room temperature. In the Philippines, some crushed ice is added plus a drizzling of evaporated milk. It now becomes saba con hielo (sweetened banana in ice and milk), a favorite summer dessert.
HOW LONG DO THESE SWEETENED BANANAS IN SWEET SYRUP LAST?
It will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It would probably be best for up to 3-4 days.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU USE THESE SWEETENED BANANAS FOR?
In the Philippines, these minatamis na saging or sweetened bananas are used to make saba con hielo (a favorite summer dessert where sweetened bananas are mixed with crushed ice and a little milk). Sweetened bananas may also be used as part of the ingredients for halo-halo.
Bananas Cooked in Sweet Syrup
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 12 bananas (cardaba or burro) or plantains, ripe but still firm, sliced into 3-4 pieces (depending on the size of banana)
Instructions
- Over medium heat, in a saucepan, combine the water, sugar and, salt. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a syrupy consistency between 15-20 minutes more or less.
- Add the sliced bananas and vanilla extract. Cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the bananas are tender and have turned reddish or deep amber in color.
- To serve, place a few slices of bananas in a bowl and pour in a little syrup. It may be served warm or at room temperature. In the Philippines, some crushed ice is added plus a drizzling of evaporated milk. It now becomes saba con hielo (sweetened banana in ice and milk), a favorite summer dessert.
Notes
Last updated on December 9th, 2024 at 08:00 pm
These look delicious! I love the idea of adding some ice and evaporated milk to these Bananas Cooked in Sweet Syrup.
What a rustic-looking summer treat! Easy to do as well! I’d definitely give this Bananas Cooked in Sweet Syrup a try!
I love bananas, but never heard of cooking it in a syrup. It looks so delicious! I am saving this recipe for the weekend!
So sweet and delicious, the kids first time, trying an Asian dessert of Bananas Cooked in Sweet Syrup and they love it!
Wow, these sweetened bananas would be so good on so many things too. Oatmeal or cream of wheat for breakfast or even with crushed ice. I can’t wait to give them a try!
Such an amazing way to serve bananas! They sound absolutely incredible, especially when paired with crushed ice and milk. Yum!
These are delicious over cooked oatmeal. Very comforting.
Had them at a hospital cafeteria visiting family member.
Good timing.