Bakabana

Name: Bakabana
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Surinamese
Ingredients: 4 very ripe plantains; 150g flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 100ml water; Pinch of salt; Vegetable oil for frying; For sauce: 100g roasted peanuts ground; 1 clove garlic; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 Madame Jeanette pepper, minced; 2 tbsp water; Juice of half a lime

Bakabana (bah-kah-BAH-nah)

Fried Plantain with Peanut Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 25 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 334 kcal

Ripe plantain slices coated in batter and deep-fried until golden, served with a spicy peanut dipping sauce. A beloved Surinamese street snack.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

Carbs 44.0g

Fat 14.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ peanuts ⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

deep fryer or heavy pot mixing bowl slotted spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper cone or small plate

Garnishes: peanut sauce on side

Accompaniments: extra pepper sauce

Ingredients

4 very ripe plantains
150g flour
1 tsp baking powder
100ml water
Pinch of salt
Vegetable oil for frying
For sauce: 100g roasted peanuts ground
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 Madame Jeanette pepper, minced
2 tbsp water
Juice of half a lime

Instructions

1
Peel plantains and cut diagonally into thick slices. They should be very ripe with black-spotted skins for maximum sweetness.
2
Make batter with flour, baking powder, salt, and water. It should coat the back of a spoon.
3
Dip plantain slices in batter and fry in hot oil at 170C until golden brown and crispy, about three minutes per side.
4
Make peanut sauce by blending ground peanuts with garlic, soy sauce, pepper, water, and lime juice until smooth.

💡

Did You Know?

Bakabana literally means "baked banana" in Sranan Tongo, though it is actually deep-fried and made with plantain, not banana.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

deep fryer or heavy pot
mixing bowl
slotted spoon

Garnishing

peanut sauce on side

Accompaniments

extra pepper sauce

The Story Behind Bakabana

Bakabana is one of Suriname's most popular street foods, found at every market and street corner in Paramaribo. The combination of sweet fried plantain with savory peanut sauce reflects the West African and Southeast Asian influences that define Surinamese cuisine. The dish is simple, affordable, and universally loved, making it the perfect introduction to Surinamese food culture for newcomers.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed afternoon snack or side dish 📜 Origins: Creole-Surinamese tradition

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