Delicious Grilled Bananas with Coconut Sauce
By Sho @ Hungry for Thai
on
Mar 26th 2025 
This is one of Thailand’s most popular street food snacks—sweet and smoky grilled bananas, usually cooked over a charcoal grill. But guess what? You don’t need a charcoal grill to enjoy this delicious treat! With an air fryer, you can easily make grilled bananas at home that taste just as amazing.
Table of Contents
If you ask me what my favorite Thai dessert is, grilled bananas with coconut sauce would definitely be on the list!
The bananas are pressed flat and drizzled with a sweet, fragrant coconut sauce—such a nostalgic childhood treat for me.
My grandmother used to sell them near our house, and my job was to call out to customers and sell her special grilled bananas.
Today, I want to share my grandmother’s famous grilled banana recipe and her delicious coconut sauce.
Every time she made it, it was completely gone—not even a drop of sauce or a single piece of banana was left!
If you’ve ever strolled through the streets of Thailand, you’ve probably come across Thai grilled banana stalls selling sweet, smoky, caramelized bananas topped with a luscious coconut sauce.
This grilled banana dessert is simple, yet incredibly satisfying—crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, with a creamy, sweet-salty coconut drizzle.
What Kind of Bananas to Use for Grilled Bananas?
To make grilled bananas, you need to choose the right type of banana. The best option is semi-ripe —those that are yellow with a slight green tint.
They shouldn’t be too ripe, as overripe bananas can become too soft and mushy when grilled.
Semi-ripe bananas have a firmer texture and a slightly astringent taste, which pairs perfectly with the sweet coconut sauce.
What You'll Need
- Semi-Ripe Bananas – Thai bananas (Nam Wa) work best! If using regular bananas, choose ones that are slightly firm, not overly ripe. Look for bananas that are yellow with a hint of green.
- Palm Sugar – Naturally caramel-like and slightly smoky, this sugar gives our sauce that deep, rich sweetness. It’s a must-have for authentic Thai desserts!
- Brown Sugar – Adds extra sweetness and helps balance the flavors. You can adjust the amount to your taste!
- Salt – Just a tiny pinch brings out all the flavors and makes the sauce even more delicious. Don’t skip it!
- Unsalted Butter – Gives the sauce a silky texture and a little extra richness. It melts right in and makes everything taste better!
- Coconut Milk – The heart of the sauce! It’s creamy, fragrant, and ties everything together beautifully. Pro tip: Use full-fat coconut milk for the best results!
Why You’ll Love This Thai Grilled Bananas with Coconut Sauce Recipe
✔️ No charcoal grill needed! Just an air fryer.
✔️ Authentic Thai flavors in a simple homemade version.
✔️ Perfect balance of textures – crispy, chewy, creamy, and sweet.
✔️ Naturally dairy-free and easy to make vegan!
How to Make Grilled Bananas
- Heat coconut milk, palm sugar, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar melts.
- Add salt and unsalted butter, stirring until smooth. Simmer for a few minutes then remove from the heat.
- Peel and slice semi-ripe bananas, then air-fry at 360°F (180°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. For a chewier texture, use 320°F (160°C) for 20 minutes.
- Press the bananas flat.
- Arrange on a plate, drizzle with warm coconut sauce, and enjoy while warm!
Whenever you’re craving grilled bananas, just peel them, air-fry them, and warm up the sauce for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.
Arrange the bananas on a plate, pour the coconut sauce over them, and that’s it—ready to enjoy! 😍🍌🥥
If you love Thai banana desserts, try Bananas in Sweet Coconut Milk (Kluai Buat Chi).
FAQs
🔥 How do you grill bananas?
You can grill them over charcoal, in an oven, or in an air fryer! The key is using semi-ripe bananas so they don’t get too mushy.
🤤 What does grilled banana taste like?
It’s naturally sweet with a hint of caramelized smokiness. The texture is a mix of chewy and crispy, making it perfect with the creamy coconut sauce!
🥥 How to store the coconut sauce?
You can store the coconut sauce for up to one week. After cooking, let it cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep it at room temperature or store it in the fridge.
💡 Benefits of grilled bananas
✅ Good source of energy – A grilled banana provides around 90–100 calories, depending on size and ripeness.
The natural sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose) make it a great quick energy boost.
✅ Helps regulate blood sugar – While bananas contain natural sugars, their fiber helps slow down sugar absorption, preventing rapid blood sugar spikes.
However, very ripe bananas have a higher glycemic index.
✅ Supports heart health – Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports cardiovascular health.
✅ Boosts brain function – Bananas contain vitamin B6, which plays a role in brain function and neurotransmitter production.
✅ Aids digestion – The fiber in bananas supports gut health by promoting regular bowel movements and feeding beneficial gut bacteria.
💡 One note: Grilling or air-frying bananas caramelizes their sugars, making them slightly higher in sugar content than raw bananas.
Still, grilled bananas remain a healthier dessert option compared to many processed sweets! 😊
The best part? You don’t need a charcoal grill to enjoy this! I’ll show you how to make grilled bananas using an air fryer—so easy and just as delicious!
Delicious Grilled Bananas with Coconut Sauce
Prep time
5 minutes
Cook time
20 minutes
Serves
2
Ingredients
Steps
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Make the Coconut Sauce:
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In a saucepan over medium heat, combine: coconut milk, palm sugar, and brown sugar.
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Stir until the sugar melts.
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Add salt and unsalted butter. Stir until smooth and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
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Grill the Bananas:
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Peel semi-ripe bananas and cut them into 3 pieces (depends on the size of bananas).
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Place them in an air fryer at 360°F (180°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. (For a chewier texture, lower the heat to 320°F (160°C) for 20 minutes.)
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Press the bananas flat.
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Serve!:
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Arrange the grilled bananas on a plate. Drizzle with warm coconut sauce. Enjoy your grilled Thai banana while it’s still warm!
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Tips
- Choose bananas that are perfectly semi-ripe—not underripe or overripe.
- You can enjoy grilled bananas without the coconut sauce, as they are naturally sweet on their own.
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