Southern Banana Cobbler is a warm, comforting dessert that tastes like a mash-up of banana bread and old-fashioned cobbler. It fills the kitchen with a sweet banana and vanilla aroma while the top browns to a soft, golden crust. This easy recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and ripe bananas to make a tender, slightly cake-like topping that soaks up banana juices. If you like banana-forward desserts, this cobbler pairs well with other recipes like banana bread cinnamon rolls as a brunch spread or dessert table favorite.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving — 8 servings total)
- Calories per serving: 330 kcal
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
Why Make This Southern Banana Cobbler
This cobbler is quick, forgiving, and full of homey flavor. Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and a soft texture that contrasts nicely with a lightly browned top. It warms the kitchen with vanilla and banana scent, and it’s easy to serve for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings. The recipe uses common ingredients and comes together fast, so you can enjoy a comforting dessert without long prep or fancy tools.
How to Make Southern Banana Cobbler
This cobbler is made by combining dry and wet batter components, layering sliced bananas in a baking dish, and pouring the batter over them. As it bakes, the batter puffs into a soft, cake-like topping while the bananas soften and release sweet juices. The top turns golden brown and smells inviting when it’s done.
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground cinnamon (for topping)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a medium baking dish (about 8×8 inches or similar). Peel and slice the bananas into even rounds and set them aside.
Step 2: Mixing
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
Step 3: Cooking
Spread the sliced bananas evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Pour the batter over the bananas and smooth the top gently with a spatula so the batter covers the fruit. Sprinkle ground cinnamon over the batter if desired. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Finishing
Let the cobbler cool for 10 minutes to set. Serve warm by itself or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
How to Serve Southern Banana Cobbler
Serve warm so the banana aroma and soft texture stand out. It pairs well with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a tangy contrast. For brunch, offer slices alongside coffee or tea. For a cozy dessert, plate with a drizzle of warm caramel or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans for crunch.
How to Store Southern Banana Cobbler
- Room temperature: Cover the dish tightly and keep at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or cover with foil for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–40 seconds or warm the whole dish at 325°F (160°C) until heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled, cut portions in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in the oven.
Expert Tips for Perfect Southern Banana Cobbler
- Use ripe bananas with brown speckles for the best sweetness and banana flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overworking flour can make the topping dense.
- Melt butter but let it cool slightly before mixing with milk to avoid cooking the batter.
- Spread bananas evenly so each serving has fruit.
- For a richer topping, substitute half-and-half for the milk.
- If your bananas are very ripe, reduce added sugar by 2–4 tablespoons.
- Toasted nuts add texture; fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter or sprinkle on top.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate Banana Cobbler: Stir 1/3 cup chocolate chips into the batter.
- Nutty Banana Cobbler: Add 3/4 cup chopped pecans to the bananas before pouring batter.
- Caramel Banana Cobbler: Drizzle 2–3 tablespoons caramel sauce over the bananas before adding batter.
- Spiced Banana Cobbler: Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to the dry mix.
- Tropical Twist: Replace half the milk with coconut milk and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q: Can I use frozen bananas?
A: Yes. Thaw frozen banana slices and drain excess liquid before layering. Pat them lightly with paper towels to avoid a watery cobbler. -
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Texture may vary slightly but the cobbler will still bake up tender. -
Q: What if my batter seems too thin or too thick?
A: Batter should be pourable but not watery. If it’s too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons milk. If too thin, add 1–2 tablespoons flour. -
Q: Can I use low-fat milk or plant milk?
A: Yes. Low-fat dairy or plant-based milks (almond, oat) work. The texture may be slightly less rich but still tasty. -
Q: How can I tell when the cobbler is done?
A: The top should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The edges will pull slightly away from the dish. -
Q: Can I add spices to the batter?
A: Absolutely. Stir 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg into the dry mix for extra warmth.
Conclusion
This Southern Banana Cobbler is an easy, comforting dessert that fills the kitchen with warm banana and vanilla aroma and offers a soft, cake-like topping over tender baked bananas. It’s simple to make, stores well, and adapts to many tasty variations. For another classic take on banana desserts, see this similar recipe for Banana Cobbler – The Country Cook. Give this cobbler a try — it’s a reliable, crowd-pleasing treat that feels like home.
Print
Southern Banana Cobbler
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A warm dessert that combines banana bread and cobbler flavors, featuring a cake-like topping and tender baked bananas.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a medium baking dish (about 8×8 inches). Slice the bananas and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Spread the sliced bananas in the baking dish. Pour the batter over the bananas and smooth the top. Sprinkle ground cinnamon if desired. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm, optionally topped with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Use ripe bananas for best flavor. For added richness, substitute half-and-half for milk. Can be served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
