Caramelized Fried Fruit
- Lactose Free
- Vegetarian
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 15 min
- Makes: 38 pieces
- Cost: Low
PRESENTATION
Caramelized fried fruit? Oh, it’s a real crowd-pleaser, especially at parties or those big family dinners. This caramelized fruit dessert is a classic from Chinese restaurant menus. I mean, really, you often see it with slices of tender apples, juicy pears, or even crispy bananas. And the batter? It’s light and airy, which is great. Seriously, the outside gets golden and slightly crunchy after frying. But here's the thing, the magic kicks in when these warm fruits are swirled in a brown sugar glaze. Sticky caramel—so, so good—coats the fruit, giving each bite a sweet crackle.
Using what's in season keeps it exciting. People sometimes go for moist peaches or swap in pineapple for a fun twist. No matter the fruit, these pan-fried fruit recipes steal the show. For real. Perfect for a buffet spread or just a casual hangout.
Play around with the flavors. Some folks toss in cinnamon to the batter or sprinkle it afterward, creating cinnamon-spiced fruit that brings extra warmth. And you know what? Fried bananas with cinnamon are a hit, especially with kids. Unlike a heavy pie, this caramelized fried fruit stays light, with the sweet caramel shell perfectly complementing the tangy apples or pears. Take a bite, and the crispy outside melts into soft, tender fruit. It is a quick dessert that’s special without the fuss.
Even though it’s fried, it never feels too heavy or oily. Nope. The batter keeps it airy, and the caramel adds just the right richness. Whether you're into skillet-fried apples or want to try moist sautéed peaches, this Chinese-style treat brings a festive, homemade touch to any occasion. Pretty simple. It's a tasty way to enjoy the season's flavors while sharing something unique with friends and family.
INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for about 38 pieces of fruit
- Apples 2
- Pears 2
- Bananas 2
- Lemon juice 1
- for the batter
- Eggs 2
- Type 00 flour 1 ¼ cup (150 g)
- Fine salt 1 pinch
- Water ¾ cup (200 ml)
- Baking powder 1 bag
- for frying
- Vegetable oil to taste
How to prepare Caramelized Fried Fruit
To prepare caramelized fried fruit, wash and peel the apples, pears, and bananas (1-2-3);
cut the apples and pears into quarters, removing the core, then cut the 4 pieces in half (4-5). Divide the bananas into three pieces 6. Place the fruit pieces in a bowl and sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent them from darkening, and start preparing the batter.
Separate the egg yolks from the whites and set the whites aside. Beat the yolks with the water 7 and also add the sifted flour and baking powder 8. Beat well with a whisk to avoid lumps 9.
Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks with a pinch of salt 10 and gently fold them into the batter, mixing from bottom to top, to prevent them from deflating (11-12).
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot, and when it's ready, dip each piece of fruit into the batter, covering it entirely (13-14), and immerse it in the hot oil 15.
When the batter is golden brown, drain the fried fruit from the oil 16 and let it dry on a tray with absorbent paper. Once the fruit is fried, prepare the caramel (Caramel for more information): in a double-bottomed steel saucepan, add the granulated sugar one spoonful at a time 17 and let it slowly melt over low heat without stirring, but gently rotating the saucepan. You should achieve a brown caramel 18 (the temperature should range between 330°F - 347°F, use a food thermometer to assist you).
When the caramel is ready, skewer each piece of fried fruit with a toothpick and quickly dip it into the caramel 19. Drain the excess caramel and immerse the piece of fruit in the ice water, which you have prepared in a bowl, to solidify the caramel 20. Place the caramelized fried fruit on a serving plate and serve 21.