Pan Fried Bananas with Lechera Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 large (about 1.13 kg / 2½ lb)bananas or plantains
• 15 g (2 tbsp)ground cinnamon
• 28 g (2 tbsp)butter
• 170 g (6 oz)sweetened condensed milk (Lechera)
• 25 g (2 tbsp), optionalsugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Peel and slice

   Peel the bananas. Cut each in half across the middle, then cut each half lengthwise.

2. 2

   Add cinnamon

   Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the bananas.

3. 3

   Melt the butter

   Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.

4. 4

   Arrange the bananas

   Place the cinnamon-dusted bananas in the pan with the cinnamon side facing up.

5. 5

   Fry until golden

   Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

6. 6

   Drizzle and serve

   Put 4 banana slices on each dessert plate, drizzle with sweetened condensed milk and serve warm.

7. 7

   Enjoy dessert

   Enjoy.

What are platanos con Lechera?

Platanos con Lechera is a simple Mexican-style dessert of cooked bananas or plantains finished with sweetened condensed milk. The name refers to the fruit served with Lechera, a brand of condensed milk.

This version gets its flavour from cinnamon and its golden surface from a quick fry in butter. Serving it warm lets the creamy topping contrast with the soft fruit.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 462 calories, 7g protein, 91g carbs, 11g fat.

The bananas or plantains provide most of the carbohydrates, while butter contributes much of the fat. Sweetened condensed milk adds both carbohydrates and some protein. To balance the plate, serve a smaller portion alongside fresh fruit or plain yoghurt.

Choosing bananas or plantains

Bananas: Choose ripe fruit that still holds its shape when sliced. Very soft bananas can break apart as you turn them.

Plantains: These are firmer and less sweet than ripe bananas, so they make a sturdier slice. The recipe offers either option; use the same slicing and frying method.

Cinnamon and butter

Cinnamon: Sprinkle it over the cut fruit before frying, as directed, so the spice is part of the browned surface.

Butter: Melt it over medium heat before adding the fruit. Keep the pan at a moderate heat so the butter and cinnamon do not scorch while the slices cook.

Getting the texture right

Golden edges: Fry each side for 2 to 3 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface. The fruit should soften while remaining intact enough to lift onto a plate.

Gentle turning: Use a wide spatula and turn the slices carefully. Ripe bananas are delicate, so avoid pressing them down in the pan.

Serving it warm

Plate the slices while they are warm and drizzle over the sweetened condensed milk just before serving. The recipe suggests 4 slices per dessert plate.

The optional sugar is listed with the ingredients but is not assigned a step in the method. The condensed milk already provides sweetness, so taste the finished dessert before deciding whether to use it.

What to serve alongside

A small serving of fresh fruit can add a cool, fresh contrast to the warm, buttery bananas. Keep accompaniments simple so the cinnamon and condensed milk remain the focus.

For a more substantial dessert, serve the bananas with a scoop of plain yoghurt or vanilla ice cream.

Recipe notes & tips

• Use bananas that are ripe but still firm enough to slice cleanly.
• Cut the fruit evenly so the pieces cook at a similar rate.
• Let the butter melt over medium heat before adding the bananas.
• Turn the slices gently to help them keep their shape.
• Drizzle the condensed milk over the fruit just before serving.
• Use the optional sugar only if you want extra sweetness.

Variations

• Add vanilla: Stir a little vanilla into the condensed milk before drizzling.
• Use plantains: Choose ripe plantains for firmer slices with a less sweet flavour.
• Add a pinch of salt: Sprinkle a little over the finished fruit to contrast with the sweet topping.
• Include toasted nuts: Scatter chopped toasted nuts over the plated bananas for crunch.
• Serve with yoghurt: Add plain yoghurt alongside for a cool, tangy contrast.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using very soft bananas: They can fall apart when turned; choose fruit that is ripe but still firm.
• Heating the pan too strongly: The butter or cinnamon may scorch; cook over medium heat.
• Overcooking the slices: They can become too soft to lift neatly; check them after 2 minutes per side.
• Turning roughly: Soft fruit can break; slide a wide spatula underneath each piece.
• Drizzling too early: The topping can run off while the fruit is in the pan; add it after plating.

How to store

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and use within 2 days. Reheat gently in a frying pan over low heat, then add the condensed milk when serving.

Frequently asked questions