It was right around this time of year that the boyfriend and I first met.

I was in college and had taken enough social dance classes that I fancied myself to be a pretty good swing, waltz, and salsa dancer. My roommate at the time didn't have quite as much dance experience, but wanted to learn, so she suggested that we sign up for a beginning level waltz class together. With all of my experience, I wasn't thrilled at the idea. But I must have decided to go along with it or she must have just been persistent, because one Sunday afternoon, I found myself in a gym full of new dancers, hoping that my toes wouldn't get trampled on too badly!

About halfway through the class, just as I was thinking that signing up for it was a terrible idea, we rotated partners and I found myself dancing with someone who was good... really good. He was also really cute. We talked in the minute or so before we had to switch partners again and I found myself being more and more drawn to him. It wasn't long before I was actually excited to attend this beginning level class! And when he finally asked me if I wanted to practice dancing with him outside of class, I didn't have a moment's hesitation in saying yes 🙂

Our first date seems like forever ago now, but I'm just as drawn to the boyfriend now as I was back then. We don't tend to do big things to celebrate our anniversaries, but rather focus on each other more in the little day-to-day things. For the past two years, I've made a point of asking the boyfriend what special Thai treat he'd like for me to learn to make for him. Last year, his immediate answer was khanom krok. This year, it was resolutely Thai-style fried bananas.

I started my attempts at this dessert by drawing on what I learned last year about substituting club soda for limestone paste to create a really crispy crust. And after a few more trials to get the proportions just right, I was able to produce a fried banana that the boyfriend said was the best he's had outside of Thailand! I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

Recipe

Thai Fried Bananas | Gluay Kaek | กล้วยแขก

With a slightly sweet, incredibly crisp outer shell and creamy banana inside, these Thai fried bananas are one delicious Thai street food you don't want to miss!

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Thai

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 40

Servings:

Calories: 238kcal

Ingredients

1 cup rice flour
½ cup white sugar
½ cup club soda
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 Tablespoons white seasame seeds
½ teaspoon salt
2-3 burro bananas not quite ripe

Instructions

Mix all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Add the club soda and stir into the dry ingredients.
Heat a pot of oil to medium heat. Add a drop of the batter to ensure that it's hot enough before starting to fry your bananas.
Slice each burro banana into 3 or 4 lengthwise segments. Dip the segments into the batter and fry until golden brown.
Remove from oil and let dry on paper towels. Enjoy immediately!