Grilled Bananas with Coconut Caramel Sauce is a simple yet incredibly delicious dessert that brings tropical flavors to your table. Sweet ripe bananas become warm and caramelized on the grill, while the rich coconut caramel sauce adds a creamy and indulgent finishing touch. This dessert is perfect for summer barbecues, outdoor gatherings, or anytime you want a quick treat that feels both comforting and elegant.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare. Ripe bananas are sliced lengthwise and lightly brushed with melted butter or coconut oil before being placed on a hot grill. As the bananas cook, their natural sugars caramelize, creating golden grill marks and an irresistibly soft texture. The grilling process also adds a subtle smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the fruit.
The coconut caramel sauce is what makes this dessert truly special. Made with coconut milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of sea salt, the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and deeply flavorful. The coconut flavor complements the grilled bananas perfectly while adding a tropical twist that feels refreshing and unique. A drizzle of warm caramel sauce over the bananas transforms this simple dessert into something restaurant-worthy.
Grilled Bananas with Coconut Caramel Sauce can be served on their own or paired with vanilla ice cream, toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. For extra texture, crushed graham crackers or granola make a delicious topping. This dessert is also naturally adaptable for different dietary preferences, especially when using dairy-free ingredients like coconut oil and plant-based ice cream.
Because the recipe comes together quickly, it is ideal for entertaining guests without spending hours in the kitchen. The bananas only need a few minutes on the grill, and the sauce can easily be prepared ahead of time. The warm fruit combined with the silky caramel sauce creates a comforting dessert that feels both light and satisfying.
Whether you are hosting a backyard cookout or simply craving a tropical-inspired dessert, Grilled Bananas with Coconut Caramel Sauce is a flavorful option that is guaranteed to impress. Its combination of smoky grilled fruit and creamy coconut caramel creates a perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and summer flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas halved lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil for brushing the grill
- 1 cup coconut milk full-fat
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat and brush the grates lightly with coconut oil.
- Place the banana halves cut-side down on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until lightly charred and warmed through.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining the coconut milk, brown sugar, butter, salt, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer gently, stirring often, for 4 to 6 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve the grilled bananas warm, drizzled generously with the coconut caramel sauce.
Nutrition
I’m no chef but this looked fancy and it was pretty easy. Will make again!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Grilled bananas are a game changer! 🍌
Looks good, but doesn’t banana get mushy when grilled? Not sure about that…
I tried this but the bananas just fell apart on the grill. What am I doing wrong? 😩
Maybe the bananas were too ripe? They can get mushy if they’re too soft. Try less ripe ones next time! 😊
My kids loved it! Definitely making it again, maybe add some nuts next time!
I’m so glad your kids enjoyed it! Nuts would be a great addition for texture. What kind are you thinking about?
YUMMY! I added some chopped nuts on top and it was great!
Idk about this one… seems like a lot of sugar for a fruit dish.
Nah, bring on the sugar! It’s a dessert, after all! A little sweetness is what makes it tasty. 😋
I hear ya! That sugar does seem like a lot. I usually go for less sweet stuff. Maybe try with honey instead?
Grill? We just made it on the stove. Still tasted great!
But isn’t grilling the whole point? Stovetop just ain’t the same. What if you miss that smoky flavor? 🤔
Cooking on the stove sounds good too! I’ve done that before and it also comes out yummy. Just love the caramel! ❤️
Made this for dessert tonight and wow—caramel-y without being too heavy. The char on the bananas is such a nice contrast. I used a little extra cinnamon and it felt perfect.
Yes!! I made this last week and the caramel sauce totally nailed that “sweet but not cloying” vibe. Also same—extra cinnamon is the move. 😄
Not gonna lie, I think 2 minutes is too long on a grill pan. Mine got kinda mushy and the sauce separated a bit (maybe my coconut milk was the problem). Still tasted good though.
Honestly, who even thought of grilling bananas? But the caramel sauce made it worth it. 😄
Grilled bananas are actually delicious! They get all sweet and gooey. 🙌
I don’t know man, just sounds weird. Bananas on a grill??
This is such a simple yet delicious recipe! My kids loved it! 😍
I like bananas but this is just too odd for me. No thanks.
So good! My new favorite dessert! ❤️
I ain’t got coconut milk, could I use regular milk? Asking for a friend.
Wow, these grilled bananas are heavenly! The caramel sauce is delicious! ❤️
I tried this recipe and it was sooooo good! I never thought bananas could taste this amazing on the grill! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 stars because grilled bananas are everything!! Yum.
This recipe is so easy and delicious! The caramel sauce is heavenly!
I tried this recipe and it was honestly a game changer! The caramel sauce was so rich, I could eat it by itself! Thumbs up!
I’ve never cooked with coconut oil before. Can I use butter instead? 🤔
Yeah, you can def use butter! It’ll give a different flavor but still yummy!
I think coconut oil is better for this recipe, butter might not taste the same. Just my opinion.
Grilling bananas? Sounds weird but it was surprisingly good! I like it!
I never woulda thought to grill bananas. That sauce sounds yum too! Might try it sometime.
This recipe is too sweet for my taste. I wouldn’t use that much sugar next time.
Didn’t like the texture of grilled bananas. They got too mushy for me.
I totally get it! The mushiness can be a bit off-putting if you’re not into that texture. Maybe try them less cooked next time? They might be firmer then!
I was skeptical about grilling bananas but wow, this is a game-changer. The coconut sauce is heavenly!
I tried this recipe but my bananas fell apart on the grill. 😩 What did I do wrong?
Yum! Perfect for a summer BBQ, everyone was impressed!
I tried this recipe last weekend and it was a hit! Everyone loved it!
Why do you need coconut milk though? Can I just use regular milk?
Coconut milk gives it that tropical flavor! Regular milk would just be too plain for this dish. Trust me, you gotta try it as is! 🌴
I dunno, I think regular milk should work? Never tried coconut milk, sounds weird. Just do what ya want! 🤷♂️
Too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time? Still enjoyed it tho.
Grilled bananas? Really? Sounds kinda weird but I might try it.
This is actually quite good!! Who woulda thought to grill bananas??
Grilled bananas? Are you kidding? Bananas are for smoothies! 😂
Super easy and quick recipe! Perfect for summer BBQs! 😄
This was surprisingly bland for me. Maybe my bananas weren’t ripe enough? I also might’ve skipped the cinnamon even though it says optional. Yeah, probably user error.
Totally sounds like user error—ripe bananas make a huge difference. I’d also recommend not skipping the cinnamon; it rounds out the coconut caramel flavor a lot. Next time, try simmering the sauce closer to the 6-minute mark so it gets really glossy/thicker.
This is actually really good. I was skeptical about coconut milk turning into “caramel,” but it thickened up nicely and tastes kinda like toasted coconut + brown sugar. Will repeat.
Agreed! I was also side-eyeing the coconut milk “caramel” part, but it thickens way better than I expected. The toasted coconut + brown sugar vibe is so good—definitely making it again.
I tried this but my sauce never got really caramel-y, just kinda stayed like sweet coconut milk. Maybe I didn’t simmer long enough? Still tasted fine though with the grilled bananas. Gonna tweak the time next go.
I’m not a fan of coconut milk, so I was skeptical. Surprisingly it didn’t taste “coconutty” as much after simmering with the butter.
Wait—does it really not taste like coconut? I feel like coconut milk always tastes like vacation lol. Still, I’d try it once…
I get that! Coconut milk can be overpowering, but I like that butter + simmering tones it down. Sounds delicious on grilled bananas 😋
Why is it called caramel if it’s basically coconut milk and sugar? Like… it’s good, but I’m skeptical. I served it over yogurt and it was great.
Wow, super easy and it smells amazing while cooking. Tiny pinch of cinnamon? do it. My kids ate it too—no complaints lol.
Yes!! That tiny cinnamon pinch is the whole vibe. I did it and the sauce turned so glossy and caramel-y.
I’m usually skeptical with caramel sauce, but grilled bananas actually makes sense. I might’ve overcooked mine a bit (oops), but still tasted great.
I didn’t have unsalted butter so I used salted and it was still okay, just slightly too salty. Vanilla at the end helps a lot though. Overall a solid easy sweet.
I was skeptical about grilling bananas, but it actually gives them a “dessert” flavor instead of just sweetness. I did have to cook a bit longer on my grill pan to get proper warmth in the center.
That’s awesome—grilled bananas sound way better than I expected. I’m always worried they’d turn mushy, but “charred and warmed through” sounds exactly right. I might try adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the bananas too.
This was such a cozy dessert—caramel-y without being overly sweet. The coconut milk + brown sugar combo turned out glossy like the recipe said.
Too much work for something that’s basically sweet fruit. Still tastes good though, I’ll give you that.
Coconut caramel sauce sounds fancy but I think it’s just sugar melted in coconut milk… still tasty, just don’t expect classic caramel. The flavor is more like dessert sauce than hard caramel.
I followed it exactly and my sauce never got glossy—maybe I simmered too low. Still good, just more like warm syrup.
Warm syrup sounds… kinda right? I think my sauce always stays thin unless I cook it like 10-15 minutes, and the bananas themselves kinda steal the sweetness. Could also be the coconut milk brand—some is thicker than others.
I’ve had that happen when the heat is too gentle. I usually keep it closer to a steady simmer (not a boil) and stir constantly—once it coats the spoon it turns glossy fast.
My bananas stuck a bit even with coconut oil on the grates. Could be my grill pan, but flipping was a pain.
Wow. Honestly didn’t think bananas could be fancy, but this is like dessert for grown-ups 😄
Right?? Grilled bananas totally level them up—char + warm caramel sauce is such a “grown-up dessert” vibe 😄
I tried following it exactly but my bananas went mushy instead of charred. Maybe my grill pan wasn’t hot enough? Anyway flavor was nice, texture not so much.
Ok but where’s the pinch of cinnamon? Mine totally helped—made it taste like banana bread but fancier.
Wait, I thought cinnamon was already in there? 🤔 I usually skip it because I’m not a fan of “spice” with bananas, but banana bread vibes sounds… interesting.
Totally agree—if you like that cozy vibe, the cinnamon makes it taste way more like banana bread. I add mine every time. Yum!
The instructions are clear, but grilling bananas can go from “charred” to “mushy” fast. Watch them closely!
Totally agree—2 to 3 minutes can be the difference between “perfectly warmed” and “why are they falling apart?” I usually flip sooner and keep the heat a bit lower.
Honestly, I didn’t think caramel could come from coconut milk. But it thickened nicely. I’d make this again for sure.
ummm… sounds yummy but i only have margarine and lite coconut milk. will it work? lol
Pretty tasty, but my sauce took longer than 6 minutes to get glossy. Also I burned one side of the bananas because my grill ran hot. Next time I’ll lower the heat and watch closer.
Totally agree—6 minutes can be optimistic for the sauce. I usually need closer to 8–10 to get that glossy look, especially if my heat runs a bit lower. Burning bananas happens fast on a hot grill; lowering the temp is the move.
I grilled mine a little too long and they got mushy, but the sauce saved it. Next time I’ll stick to 2-3 minutes per side.
I used coconut sugar instead of brown sugar and it came out amazing. Also, grilled bananas smell like summer.
That sounds so good! I love grilled bananas, and coconut sugar makes sense—less heavy than brown sugar maybe. The caramel sauce being coconut-y is already a win 😄
Hmm I’m surprised it worked with coconut sugar—usually it’s a bit more subtle. But if yours came out amazing, I guess I gotta try. Grilled bananas do smell so good like… summer vibes lol.
Not bad, but mine came out a little grainy. I think my brown sugar didn’t fully melt? Also I accidentally forgot the salt at first (lol) and it tasted flat until I fixed it.
Idk… grilled fruit is gimmicky to me. It’s sweet anyway, why char it? The sauce saved it though. I’ll eat it, but I wouldn’t make it every week.
Okay but why grill banana tho lol. I tried it and it’s actually good. Weirdly works with the coconut sauce.
This sounds dangerously good. The grilled char on bananas + that coconut caramel sauce is such a win.
I messed up the timing and only cooked one side. Still tasted good but it wasn’t as charred. If you’re gonna grill, don’t multitask like I did 😅
Honestly the sauce is the star. 4–6 minutes simmering is the perfect window—if you go longer it gets too thick. Next time I’ll add a little extra vanilla.
Totally agree—4–6 mins is that sweet spot. I once let it go too long and it turned into more of a candy blob 😅 Vanilla boost sounds perfect!
I made it last night—super easy, and the sauce actually thickened nicely. I added a tiny extra cinnamon and it was perfect.
Meh. Too much butter and sugar for my taste. Also I didn’t have coconut milk so I used regular—didn’t feel the same.
Totally get it—this one is pretty indulgent. I cut the sugar to like 1/3 cup and it still caramelizes for me.
Not bad, but mine turned grainy. I think the brown sugar didn’t fully dissolve because I was simmering too fast. Flavor was good though.
Tried it tonight and it actually looks like the pictures in my head. Sauce thickened nicely and was super glossy. Next time I’ll brush the bananas a tiny bit too so the grill doesn’t dry them out.
I love coconut stuff, but this felt overly rich for me. The caramel sauce is tasty yet thick—maybe next time I’ll use less butter or do half the sugar.
Not gonna lie, I was worried the coconut milk would stay thin, but simmering did the job. Vanilla at the end was a good call. Sweetness is spot on.
Not sure about the “caramel” part. It’s tasty, but mine stayed kind of silky after 6 minutes. Still, would make again.
Wow—this sounds dangerously good. I’ve never grilled bananas before but the caramel sauce over warm fruit is exactly my vibe. Gonna try with a pinch of cinnamon like the recipe says.
Made this last night and it worked way better than I expected. The bananas get that nice char and the sauce turns glossy fast. I used light coconut milk and it still tasted great.
I don’t know about the “caramel” part—more like warm caramel-ish syrup. Tasty, but calling it caramel makes it sound thicker. Still, would eat again.
5 stars!!
Not sure I’m convinced… I tried it and my sauce got too thick, like pudding, and the bananas stuck to the grill even with the coconut oil. Could just be my grill pan though. Any tips?
Totally agree—5 stars! The caramel comes out so glossy and the char on the bananas is perfect. I added a tiny pinch of cinnamon and it was heavenly.
I followed the steps exactly, but mine tasted a little flat—maybe I needed more salt? Also, my sauce got thicker than “slightly” and I almost burned it. Still tasty though.
These came out ridiculously good—caramel vibes without being too heavy. The char on the bananas is the whole point. I added an extra pinch of cinnamon and it was perfect.
The sauce thickened nicely and smelled amazing. I used a tiny pinch of cinnamon and it felt super cozy. Bananas were sweet and soft—not mushy.
Yes!! That caramel coconut sauce hits. I’m glad the cinnamon worked for you—such a cozy touch. Mine always turns glossy too when I simmer it that long.
Boring dessert tbh. Bananas + caramel sauce is kind of basic. The grill part is cool, but I don’t think it’s worth the effort.
I get what you mean—bananas aren’t exactly fancy. But grilling changes the flavor a lot (more toasty/smoky), and that coconut caramel gets super glossy. I think it’s worth it if you like warm desserts.
Nah I disagree. Basic is sometimes good 😅 The sauce is actually different from regular caramel—coconut milk makes it richer. Also the grill is like 6-10 minutes total, not exactly effort-level.