Turon
Crispy Caramelized Banana Spring Rolls
About This Recipe
Turon is the quintessential Filipino merienda (snack), found everywhere from street food carts to mall food courts. These crispy fried banana rolls feature saba bananas (cardava/plantain) and sometimes jackfruit, wrapped in lumpia wrapper and deep-fried until golden. The magic happens when they're coated in caramelized brown sugar, creating a crackling sweet shell.
Street vendors have perfected the art of making turon, and watching them work is mesmerizing - rolling the bananas, frying them to perfection, and coating them in bubbling caramel. Now you can recreate this beloved snack at home with this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 12 saba bananas (ripe but firm)
- 12 lumpia wrappers (spring roll wrappers)
- 1 cup jackfruit strips (langka)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups cooking oil for frying
- 2 tbsp water (for sealing)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Bananas
Peel saba bananas and slice each lengthwise in half. If using very large bananas, you can use one half per roll.
- 2
Roll the Turon
Place a lumpia wrapper in a diamond position. Put a banana piece near the bottom corner, add a few strips of jackfruit and sprinkle with brown sugar. Fold bottom corner over filling, fold in sides, then roll up. Seal edge with water.
- 3
Fry Until Golden
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry turon seam-side down first, then turn to cook all sides evenly. Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- 4
Make the Caramel Coating
Remove most of the oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add remaining brown sugar to the pan. Stir until sugar melts and turns into caramel.
- 5
Coat and Serve
Return fried turon to the pan and toss to coat in caramel. Work quickly as caramel hardens fast. Transfer to a plate lined with parchment paper. Let cool slightly and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Banana Selection
Use saba bananas that are ripe but still firm. Overripe bananas will become too mushy when fried.
Cheese Variation
Add a strip of cheese with the banana for a popular sweet-savory combination.
Chocolate Drizzle
Skip the caramel and drizzle with melted chocolate for a decadent twist.