Bananas Foster Waffles are the most decadent way to start your day! Brown sugar cinnamon waffles are deliciously dressed up with a warm, sweet, and spiced banana topping.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Waffles with Banana Topping
Bananas Foster Waffles give you a chance to indulge in a decadent dessert at breakfast time!
The waffles themselves are downright delicious! They’re crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and made with the perfect amount of warm cinnamon and sweet brown sugar. When those waffles are topped with authentic bananas foster sauce, it becomes a breakfast you won’t soon forget.
Why You’ll Love this Bananas Foster Waffles Recipe:
- Impressive: If you’re hosting a brunch party with friends, go above and beyond with this breakfast recipe! Bananas Foster Waffles are several steps above regular waffles and syrup.
- Flavorful: Between the brown sugar cinnamon waffles and the rich banana pecan topping, there’s a whole lot of sweet and spiced flavor to love here.
- Brunch Favorite: The rum in the banana topping makes this sweet breakfast recipe a huge hit with brunch friends!
If you love classic bananas foster, you’ll love how well those signature flavors pair with the brown sugar waffles. Trust me, it’s way better than plain old maple syrup!


How to Make Bananas Foster Waffles
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Whisk together the wet ingredients, then stir in the dry ingredients.
- Grease your waffle iron and pour the batter in to cook the waffles.
- Melt the butter in a skillet, then stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Add the bananas and pecans to the skillet.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add rum, then flambé the mixture.
- Stir the bananas foster topping and serve immediately over the waffles.
Ingredient Notes
- Milk: This adds moisture to the waffle batter. I’m using whole milk for added richness, but any milk should work.
- Eggs: Binds the waffle batter together.
- Butter: Adds richness and delicious flavor. I’m using salted butter so if you use unsalted, make sure to add a small pinch of salt to the waffle batter.
- Vanilla: Enhances the sweetness and cinnamon flavor in the waffles.
- Flour: Gives the waffles structure. Make sure to measure using the spoon and level method as adding too much flour can result in dry waffles.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the waffles and bananas foster sauce and gives great depth of flavor. If you don’t have any brown sugar on hand, granulated sugar would work too!
- Baking Powder: Helps the waffles rise so they become light and fluffy.
- Cinnamon: Adds a bit of spice and warmth to the waffles and bananas foster.
- Bananas: The star of the show here! I opt for bananas that are slightly underripe, as they hold their shape better when cooking.
- Pecans: Adds a great crunch. Walnuts or almonds would be delicious too!
- Dark Rum: Traditionally used to flambé bananas foster but if you prefer to not flambé, feel free to leave it out.

Bananas foster waffles are a riff on the classic bananas foster dessert. Bananas cooked in a sauce made from butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon (plus rum, if you like!) are spooned over soft, fluffy waffles for a decadent breakfast treat!
Yes, you can! You can substitute whole wheat flour 1:1 for all-purpose flour in this recipe, or use half whole wheat and half all-purpose!
To properly flambé the bananas, you will need a rum that is 80-100 proof. I recommend dark, spiced rum for the most authentic flavor. If you choose to use a rum that is lower-proof, you will need to lightly boil the sauce before you can flambé it.
Because bananas foster is cooked quickly, only some of the alcohol burns off. An estimated 75-85% of the alcohol will remain in the dish, so save this one for the adults.
Yes. You can leave the rum out, or add in some vanilla or rum extract instead.
Bananas Foster Waffles taste like they were made in a kitchen right on Bourbon Street! If you’re celebrating Mardi Gras, this is a great way to start your day, no matter how far away from a parade you may be.


While these brown sugar cinnamon waffles are certainly loved by adults, don’t worry. They’re certainly loved by little ones, too!
Make Ahead Instructions
You can make the bananas foster topping up to 2 days ahead of when you plan to serve this dessert. Keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator, and gently reheat before pouring it over the waffles.
Storage Instructions
While bananas foster waffles are best served immediately after they are made, you can store the topping and waffles separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Gently reheat the topping in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm. Toast the waffles on the lowest setting until crisp and warm.
Freezing Instructions
I do not recommend storing the bananas foster topping in the freezer; however, you can freeze the waffles tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Toast from frozen on the lowest setting until warmed through.
Substitutions
- You can use any milk you like in this recipe, including buttermilk!
- While I used salted butter in this recipe, you can use unsalted. Simply add a pinch of salt to the batter and topping.
- You can use whole wheat flour in place of part or all of the all-purpose flour in this recipe.
- You can use dark or light brown sugar, or use granulated sugar if you do not have brown sugar.
- Feel free to use your favorite nuts in place of pecans; walnuts are a great option!
- The rum is optional. You can omit it, or add vanilla or rum extract in its place.
Tips for the Best Bananas Foster Waffles
- The waffles can be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes while you make the topping.
- If you’re planning on having leftovers, store the waffles and the topping separately!
- Use perfectly ripe bananas or just slightly underripe, as they will begin to soften as they cook. Overripe bananas will fall apart when cooked, and underripe bananas will not soften or release their natural sugars.
- Slice the bananas just before cooking to keep them from browning too quickly.
- I recommend using a stainless steel or other light-colored pan so that you can easily monitor the color of the sauce.
- You do not need to flambé the bananas if you’re a bit fearful of the flames. Instead, simply cook down the sauce over a light boil for a few minutes.
- Keep the heat on medium to medium-low to avoid cooking down the sauce too fast.
- Add a splash or two of heavy cream before adding the bananas for a richer, creamier sauce.
- When flambéing, do not pour the rum directly from the bottle; this is a potential fire hazard! Instead, measure the rum into a bowl first, then pour from the bowl.
- Use a long, tapered lighter to avoid burning yourself.
- Keep your sleeves rolled up and your hair tied back, and make sure there is not any jewelry or clothing hanging over the flames that could ignite.
- Once lit, shake the pan occasionally to help settle the flames.
- If the flames do not die down on their own, simply cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and turn off the heat.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case!
- For the best results, pour the topping over the waffles as soon as the flames die down.

Start your morning off the right way, with a stack of Bananas Foster Waffles, of course! These impressive waffles are SO easy to make and are always a huge hit on both lazy mornings with the family or big brunches with friends.
If you make this recipe be sure to leave us a comment or rating. Enjoy!

Bananas Foster Waffles Recipe
Ingredients
For the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Waffles
- 1½ cups whole milk 341 grams
- 2 large eggs 100 grams
- 4 tablespoons salted butter 57 grams, melted (½ stick)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- ¼ cup brown sugar 53 grams
- 1 tablespoon baking powder 4 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Bananas Foster Topping
- 3 tablespoons salted butter 42 grams (⅜ stick)
- ¼ cup brown sugar 53 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 ripe bananas sliced into ½-inch thick coins
- ¼ cup chopped roasted unsalted pecans 28 grams, optional
- 2 tablespoons dark rum 28 grams, optional
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Instructions
For the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Waffles
- Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions – these waffles can be made in either a standard or belgian waffle iron.
- Add the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla to a large bowl. Whisk to combine.1½ cups whole milk, 2 large eggs, 4 tablespoons salted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Whisk just until no large lumps remain – you don’t want to overmix.2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Grease your waffle iron with butter or nonstick cooking spray and add about ½-cup of batter to the center of the iron. Cook the waffle for 2-3 minutes, or until it is crisp and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining waffle batter.
For the Bananas Foster Topping
- Add the butter to a large high sided skillet set over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Allow the butter-sugar mixture to cook for 1 minute, or until it is thick and dark brown in color.3 tablespoons salted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Add the bananas and pecans, if using. Stir and ensure that all of the bananas are fully coated in the caramel sauce.2 ripe bananas, ¼ cup chopped roasted unsalted pecans
- (Optional) Remove the pan from the heat and pour the dark rum over the top of the bananas (but don’t stir it in). Very carefully use a long match to ignite the rum and gently shake the pan until the flame disappears (about 10 seconds). When the flame is gone, stir the bananas and serve immediately.2 tablespoons dark rum
Notes
- You can use any milk you like in this recipe, including buttermilk!
- While I used salted butter in this recipe, you can use unsalted. Simply add a pinch of salt to the batter and topping.
- You can use whole wheat flour in place of part or all of the all-purpose flour in this recipe.
- You can use dark or light brown sugar, or use granulated sugar if you do not have brown sugar.
- Feel free to use your favorite nuts in place of pecans; walnuts are a great option!
- The rum is optional. You can omit it, or add vanilla or rum extract in its place.
- The waffles can be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes while you make the topping.
- If you’re planning on having leftovers, store the waffles and the topping separately!
- Use perfectly ripe bananas or just slightly underripe, as they will begin to soften as they cook. Overripe bananas will fall apart when cooked, and underripe bananas will not soften or release their natural sugars.
- Slice the bananas just before cooking to keep them from browning too quickly.
- I recommend using a stainless steel or other light-colored pan so that you can easily monitor the color of the sauce.
- You do not need to flambé the bananas if you’re a bit fearful of the flames. Instead, simply cook down the sauce over a light boil for a few minutes.
- Keep the heat on medium to medium-low to avoid cooking down the sauce too fast.
- Add a splash or two of heavy cream before adding the bananas for a richer, creamier sauce.
- When flambéing, do not pour the rum directly from the bottle; this is a potential fire hazard! Instead, measure the rum into a bowl first, then pour from the bowl.
- Use a long, tapered lighter to avoid burning yourself.
- Keep your sleeves rolled up and your hair tied back, and make sure there is not any jewelry or clothing hanging over the flames that could ignite.
- Once lit, shake the pan occasionally to help settle the flames.
- If the flames do not die down on their own, simply cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and turn off the heat.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case!
- For the best results, pour the topping over the waffles as soon as the flames die down.
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