If you’ve never heard of banana lumpia before, you’re in for a real treat. These little bundles of joy are a popular Filipino dessert made with just a few simple ingredients: bananas, brown sugar, lumpia wrappers, and oil for frying. And the best part? They’re super easy to make at home!
In this post, we’ll show you how to make banana lumpia from scratch and share some tips and tricks for getting them just right. We’ll also explore some creative variations and flavor combinations to help you make this recipe your own.
But first, let’s talk about what banana lumpia actually is. Lumpia is a type of spring roll that originated in China and is popular in many Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. Banana lumpia (also known as turon) is a sweet version of lumpia that’s filled with sliced bananas and brown sugar, then wrapped in a lumpia wrapper and fried until crispy.
The result is a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat that’s perfect for snacking or dessert. And the best part? You can customize the recipe to your liking by adding other ingredients like chocolate, Nutella, or even other fruits like mango or jackfruit.
Making banana lumpia at home is surprisingly easy and requires just a few simple steps. Start by heating up your oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F. Then, place your brown sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each banana quarter in the sugar until it’s nicely coated.
Next, wrap a lumpia wrapper around each coated banana, sealing the last edge to the roll using a spoon or your finger dipped in water. Repeat with the remaining bananas and wrappers.
Working in batches, fry your lumpia in the hot oil until they’re golden brown and crispy (about 5 minutes). Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon and voila! You’ve got yourself some seriously tasty banana lumpia.
If you want to get creative with your banana lumpia, there are plenty of ways to switch up the recipe and make it your own. Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the brown sugar for extra flavor, or spreading a thin layer of chocolate or Nutella on the lumpia wrapper before wrapping the banana. You could also try adding a small slice of jackfruit or mango inside the wrapper with the banana for a fruity twist.
Ready to get started? Let’s make some banana lumpia!
Ingredients
- Oil for deep frying
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 6 large bananas, halved crosswise and then lengthwise
- 24 lumpia wrappers, defrosted
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Start by heating up your oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F.
- Then, place your brown sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each banana quarter in the sugar until it’s nicely coated.
- Next, wrap a lumpia wrapper around each coated banana, sealing the last edge to the roll using a spoon or your finger dipped in water. Repeat with the remaining bananas and wrappers.
- Working in batches, fry your lumpia in the hot oil until they’re golden brown and crispy (about 5 minutes).
- Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon and voila!
- You’ve got yourself some seriously tasty banana lumpia.
Notes
- You can add other ingredients to this recipe to make it your own! Some ideas could be adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the brown sugar for extra flavor, or even spreading a thin layer of chocolate or Nutella on the lumpia wrapper before wrapping the banana.
- You could also try adding a small slice of jackfruit or mango inside the wrapper with the banana for a fruity twist. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations!
- You can bake banana lumpia instead of frying them! To do this, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Assemble the lumpia as instructed in the recipe, then place them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops of the lumpia with oil or spray them with cooking spray to help them brown and crisp up in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Baking is a great alternative to frying if you want to avoid using too much oil.
- You can use a different type of wrapper for this recipe if you can’t find lumpia wrappers or if you want to try something new. Some alternatives could be spring roll wrappers, egg roll wrappers, or even phyllo dough. Keep in mind that each type of wrapper may have slightly different cooking times and methods, so be sure to follow the instructions on the package and adjust the recipe accordingly. Experimenting with different types of wrappers can be a fun way to switch up the texture and flavor of the banana lumpia!
- There are many other fruits that you can use in this recipe to add variety and flavor. Some ideas could be using mango, jackfruit, or pineapple slices instead of or in addition to the banana. You could also try using berries such as strawberries or blueberries for a burst of juicy flavor. Just make sure to adjust the size and amount of fruit to fit inside the wrapper and seal it properly. Experimenting with different fruits can be a fun and delicious way to switch up this recipe and create new flavor combinations!
