Thai Fried Bananas (Kluai Thot)

Firm bananas in a crisp rice-flour batter with coconut and sesame seeds, deep-fried until golden.

TIME BREAKDOWN
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 30 minutes
Vegetarian
✅
Nuts
❌
Serves
4 people
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 firm, just-ripe bananas
  • 100g rice flour
  • 50g plain flour
  • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
  • 3 tbsp caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • pinch of salt
  • 160ml cold water
  • 1 litre vegetable oil, for frying
  • runny honey, to serve

Method

  1. Peel the bananas and cut each in half lengthways, then into 2 or 3 pieces, depending on their size. Choose bananas that are ripe but still firm, or they will turn mushy.

  2. Mix the rice flour, plain flour, coconut, sesame seeds, sugar, baking powder, turmeric and salt in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the cold water to make a thick batter that coats the back of a spoon.

  3. Heat the oil in a deep, heavy pan to 170°C.

  4. Dip the banana pieces in the batter, letting any excess drip off, and fry in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until the batter is crisp and golden.

  5. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.

  6. Serve hot, drizzled with honey.