Bananas Foster Waffles

Crispy and fluffy waffles topped with caramelized, rum flavored bananas, my Bananas Foster Waffles are the ultimate decadent breakfast or brunch. Even better, the sauce can also be served over ice cream for dessert!

Save This Recipe! 💌

I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!

I agree to be receive new recipes from But First We Brunch

These Bananas Foster Waffles are going to be your new obsession. My Buttermilk Waffles, on their own, are an amazing treat to find on your brunch menu. But then top them with a caramelly, buttery sauce, loaded with soft bananas and crunchy walnuts? And make it a no-fuss recipe that you can make ahead? Now you're talking!

There's something so decadent about taking something that is considered a classic Southern dessert and turning it into a delicious breakfast. Even better, both elements of this dish can be prepared up to one month ahead and assembled in the morning. What?! Yup! These Bananas Foster Waffles are the ultimate Sunday brunch recipe that you can serve any day you choose!

❤️ What you'll love about this recipe

• Crispy waffles - Using my original, amazingly crisp buttermilk waffles as a base is the right move.
• Rich - A delicious and warmly spiced butterscotch sauce, flavored with rum extract, is the perfect waffle topping.
• Caramelized - Paired with toasted walnuts, the bananas are simmered in the rich sauce until soft and oh so yummy.
• Decadent - Breakfast and brunch are going to feel like such an "occasion', you may be inspired to dress up.
• Versatile - As good as it is for breakfast, you're going to go bananas serving this over a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

There are obviously two components to Bananas Foster Waffles, but I've broken the ingredients into two groups to keep you from a delicious visual overload.

1. First we have the ingredients to make the most fluffy and delicious Buttermilk Waffles. You probably have all of them right now. Go check!

2. Next we have all the ingredients you need to make the Bananas Foster Sauce. Nothing too crazy, but you may want to stock up on bananas, because you are going to want to put this stuff on everything!

See recipe card below for quantities to both of the stars in this delicious dish.

Substitutions

I love these Bananas Foster Waffles so much, I want you to make it even if you need to make substitutions. Here are a few common ones you can make and still enjoy this waffle recipe with bananas.

For the waffles:

• Waffles - It goes without saying that I think my waffles are the best waffles. I mean, if you enjoy crispy and fluffy waffles. BUT, if would rather, you can definitely use store bought frozen or make boxed mix waffles.
• Flour - King Arthur Baking Co. makes a very good gluten free flour that I have used in my waffles with great success.
• Cornstarch - If you're making this and realize you don't have cornstarch you can replace it with an equal amount of additional all-purpose flour.
• Butter - You can use a neutral oil, melted coconut oil, or vegan butter in place of the butter.
• Buttermilk - If you don't have buttermilk in your fridge using 1 ½ cups of yogurt mixed with ½ cup of milk is the perfect substitute. You can also use milk or half and half.

For the bananas foster sauce:

• Brown sugar - If you don't have brown sugar, you can combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 ½ tablespoons of molasses.
• Walnuts - Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds, or omit the nuts altogether.
• Maple syrup - If you don't have maple syrup you can use regular pancake syrup or even dark corn syrup. I won't love it, but you can do it. I won't know.
• Bananas - I know, it's Bananas Foster, but what if you can't eat bananas? One of my daughters developed an allergy to them as an adult, so if making them for someone like her, I would substitute 2 to 3 peeled and sliced apples for the bananas.

Variations

Bananas Foster is a classic, and it's a hard road messing with a classic. So instead I'd like to give you a few ideas on how to use the sauce in other delicious ways.

• Bananas Foster French Toast - How delicious would Bananas Foster Sauce be poured over custardy Cinnamon Cardamom French Toast?
• Bananas Foster Pancakes - A stack of Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes just cries out for this rich buttery Bananas Foster Sauce.
• Bananas Foster Donuts - Italian Zeppole are very similar to Beignets from New Orleans. What better way to summon the South than to pair these two treats together!

Equipment

One thing to remember about waffles... you need a waffle maker. For years I had great luck, and great waffle memories, with my old reliable Black and Decker Waffle maker. It's less than $25 and really gets the job done.

That being said, seeing as I am a waffle connoisseur, an expert at waffles, after about 20 years I upgraded to the big guns. I got an All Clad Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle Maker that I absolutely adore. It's also the one that Ina Garten uses. Just saying.

Instructions

There are two parts to this recipe, but don't let that overwhelm you! Part 1 is making the waffles and you can do that ahead and just reheat them in the waffle maker or toaster when you're ready to eat.

Part 2 is making the Bananas Foster Sauce, and that takes only about 10 minutes. Make sure all of your ingredients are measured out and ready to go (in chef world that is called mise en place or "everything in place"). Once you start the sauce, everything goes pretty quick. Let's get started!

Part 1: Make the waffles

Step 1: In a large bow, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.

Step 2: In a smaller bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients and then add them to the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Continue mixing while you drizzle in your melted and cooled butter. Let batter rest while you heat your waffle maker.

Step 4: Portion batter onto preheated waffle maker, or the amount suggested by your waffle maker directions. Cook to manufacturer instructions, or about 4-5 minutes. Keep warm in a 200°F oven.

Part 2: Make Bananas Foster Sauce

Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 2: Bring to a rapid simmer. Continue cooking, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture looks smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Carefully add in the heavy cream (it will sputter a bit). Stir to combine and bring back to a steady simmer. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. 

Step 4: Add in the walnuts and the sliced bananas and cook until the bananas start to soften and caramelize.

Step 5: Remove from heat and add the vanilla and rum extracts and stir in.

Step 6: Serve over hot waffles and enjoy!

Hint: You may want to make a double batch of the Banana Foster Sauce because as delicious as it is on buttermilk waffles, it absolutely longs to be warmed up and spooned over ice cream. Or, stay with me here, how about Bananas Foster Waffles topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream for dessert?! I'm a madwoman.

Recipe FAQ's

More banana breakfasts