Banana Lumpia Recipe (Banana Spring Rolls)

Banana Lumpia Recipe (Banana Spring Rolls) shows how to make banana lumpia with cinnamon, dusted with powdered sugar and dipped in chocolate.

Banana Lumpia Recipe

Expecting company one snowy day, the main dish was made and ready to go. But I hadn't figured out dessert yet. I wanted something different from the proverbial cake or pie.

Suddenly the bananas on the counter caught my eye and a light bulb went on. Searching around, I was ecstatic to find my banana lumpia recipe!

These banana spring rolls are not only easy to make, they're absolutely delicious!  Warm and crunchy, with a hint of cinnamon, these make the ideal winter snack or dessert. All it takes is just 4 ingredients and within 25 minutes, you have banana lumpia at its finest! 

Don't let the pictures mislead you. They don't do these banana rolls any justice. Taste one and you'll become a believer.

Discovering this banana lumpia recipe started a few years back when one of my closest friend, Julie, came over with a grocery bag of surprise ingredients.

Her friend from the Philippines had shown her how to make this easy banana roll dessert called banana lumpia. I'd never heard of it. Without hesitation, Julie took over my kitchen and within 30 minutes, we were both staring at this sweet, delectable dessert.

Savoring every bite, we finished them all in record time. I swear I gained 5 pounds. But I had no regrets. Both the conversation and banana lumpia were wonderful!

So, I wanted to recreate that dessert experience for my guests and, as it turned out, these banana spring rolls were a hit! It was an unforgettable evening, thanks in large part to banana lumpia. And the company of course! 

Skip the cinnamon if you're not a fan. But I have to tell you when blended with brown sugar, it caramelizes around the banana while it fries. There's something about the caramelization process that kicks up the flavor. It defies description really. But the words, nutty, creamy and buttery come to mind.

Banana lumpia is the stuff dessert dreams are made of.

A bucket list kind of recipe; especially if you're crazy for bananas like I am.

What is Filipino Banana Lumpia?

Lumpia are various types of spring rolls that were created in the Philippines under Spanish rule centuries ago. Made of thin paper-like or crepe-like pastry skin called "lumpia wrapper", they contain sweet or savory fillings. Hugely popular in Indonesia and the Philippines, they're largely viewed as Filipino cuisine in the States. Many Americans find them appealing and, in my books, that means they have good taste.

Very similar to a spring roll wrapper, if not identical, and is frequently served as an appetizer or snack that is commonly fried. The ends are sealed up which is a must for any Filipino banana lumpia recipe.

Netherlands and Belgium, call them loempia, which is the generic name for "spring roll" in Dutch.

Vietnamese lumpia is roughly the same size as a spring roll wrapper only they're pastry is thinner. 

For more information on lumpia, you can access it here.

Banana Spring Rolls

Filipinos wouldn't consider it a party without banana lumpia and I'm beginning to see why.

My adorable neighbor and personal food critic, Renate, had never tasted banana spring rolls in her life until recently. Being a fan of deep fried anything, I knew her reaction was going to be positive. She found them to be so astonishingly good, she nearly cleaned off the platter! Her response exceeded my expectations.   

Honestly, when it comes to making these amazing banana rolls as a snack or appetizer, I can never make up my mind which sauce to serve them with. Chocolate or caramel? 

Both taste so great with these banana spring rolls. Actually, they're beyond amazing!

Leaving it up to my husband to decide is not always helpful. He adores chocolate and caramel so he doesn't care which one I serve banana lumpia with. If company is coming over, occasionally I will ask one of them to decide for me.

More often than not, I'll end up serving both. Then there's choice and the problem is solved. 

Personally, I've been a chocolate lover all my life and when it comes to these banana cinnamon rolls and chocolate sauce, well, there couldn't be a better match.  

Can't argue with the caramel lovers out there though. I get it. Smother these banana spring rolls in caramel sauce and you've got one exceptional dessert!

No matter which one you choose, it's going to be the right one. Guaranteed!

Homemade Caramel or Chocolate Sauce

Frankly, the chocolate sauce is a little easier to make, but don't let the need for a thermometer deter you from trying homemade caramel sauce. It's the best I've ever tried.

If you LOVE caramel, then this caramel sauce is to die for!

Making caramel sauce can sometimes strike fear even in the most experienced cooks. Although caramel is notorious for burning, turning gritty or simply cooking unevenly, don't be intimidated. You can do it.  

Both sauces take only moments to prepare and are so much better than store bought. That being said, there's been many a time I've used store bought caramel and chocolate sauces, so I don't judge.

If time is an issue, store bought will do and the results will still be good.

Just in case you want to try homemade, the directions are below and you'll be blown away by the outcome. They'll last inside your fridge for a week to 10 days. And they're so easy to reheat by way of microwave, stove or even the kitchen counter.

Microwave

Heat in 20 to 30 second bursts, stirring in between each interval until warm and smooth.

Stove Top

In a medium sauce pan, heat over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth and warm.

Room Temperature

Simply leave the sauce on your kitchen counter for a few hours before serving.

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Obviously, caramel and chocolate sauces are not limited to banana lumpia. There's no telling where they can take you as they go beautifully with ice cream, cakes or even fresh fruit. Dipping apple slices in caramel sauce is sheer delight!

Easy Chocolate Sauce

• ½  cup of heavy cream
• ½ cup of unsalted butter or 1 stick
• ½ cup of light corn syrup
• ½  cup of confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

In a medium sauce pan, bring cream, butter, corn syrup, and confectioners’ sugar to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and immediately stir in vanilla and chocolate. Mix until smooth.  For thin sauce, add a little bit of cream, 1 tablespoon at a time. Serve warm.

Easy Caramel Sauce

• 1-¾ cups of sugar
• ¼ cup of light corn syrup
• ½ cup of water
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon of salt

Instructions

1. Using a heavy bottomed saucepan, over medium high heat, bring sugar, water, and corn syrup to a boil.
2. Allow to cook, without stirring at all, until mixture is straw colored; between 6 and 8 minutes.
3. Once straw colored, reduce heat to low and keep cooking, swirling the saucepan occasionally, until the caramel mixture is amber colored. It must register on your thermometer somewhere between 360 and 370 degrees. Less than 5 more minutes. 
4. Once amber, remove from heat and cautiously add cream, vanilla, and salt while stirring. Be prepared because caramel will bubble and steam while adjusting it.
5. Keep stirring until caramel sauce is smooth. 

One look at at this caramel sauce and I have to restrain myself from drinking it. I kid you not! Caramel sauce is the finishing touch to these already magical banana cinnamon rolls.

All that's left to say is WOW! Leave me your comments below. I can't wait to hear about your experience!

Ingredients in Banana Rolls

• spring roll dough sheets
• bananas
• brown sugar
• ground cinnamon 
• cooking oil for frying
• powdered sugar and chocolate and/or caramel sauce, if desired 

How to make Banana Lumpia

1. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon. Recommend using a measuring cup, but a small bowl will do just fine!
2. Cut a banana into 2 parts; then cut each part again into 2 parts lengthwise.
3. Place the spring roll dough sheet in a diamond position. Put a piece of banana on the bottom. Sprinkle a teaspoon of the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Roll halfway up halfway, fold sides in, then finish rolling.
4. Apply water to the edges to seal the spring rolls.
5. Heat cooking oil over medium heat until shimmering or a drop of water flicked in it dances.
6. Deep fry the banana spring rolls until golden brown.
7. Serve banana cinnamon rolls with a dusting of powdered sugar or with chocolate or caramel sauce.

Sweet and crunchy, enjoy every bite! I can't think of a better way to end your day!