If you’ve ever craved something crunchy, golden, and sweet, let me introduce you to Filipino turon banana spring rolls. Known simply as turon in the Philippines, these crispy treats are a household favorite, often sold by street vendors and enjoyed as an afternoon snack. They’re the kind of dessert that disappears faster than you can fry them.
At its heart, turon is all about simplicity: ripe bananas (usually saba bananas), a little sugar, jackfruit strips for added flavor, and spring roll wrappers. Fry them until golden, and you’ve got yourself a dessert that sings with both nostalgia and joy.
What is Turon?
Turon, also called banana lumpia or Filipino fried banana rolls, is a sweet snack wrapped like a spring roll and deep-fried to perfection. It’s the dessert cousin of savory Filipino lumpia. While traditional lumpia recipes feature pork or vegetables, turon keeps things sweet with bananas and jackfruit.
Some even call it the Filipino answer to a churro—crispy on the outside, warm and sweet on the inside. And like churros, turon is perfect with a drizzle of caramel or even a scoop of ice cream if you’re feeling fancy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s your quick shopping list for this turon recipe:
- Ripe saba bananas (or plantains if saba isn’t available)
- Ripe jackfruit (fresh or canned, sliced thinly)
- Brown sugar
- Spring roll wrappers
- Cooking oil (neutral, like canola or vegetable oil)
Optional toppings: honey, caramel sauce, or powdered sugar.
If you can’t find saba bananas, don’t stress. Regular plantains or even firm dessert bananas will do the trick. The flavor changes slightly, but it’s still delicious.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Filipino Turon Banana Spring Rolls
Step 1: Prep the Bananas
Peel and slice your bananas lengthwise. One banana usually makes 2 turon pieces. You’re aiming for long strips that fit nicely inside the wrapper.
Step 2: Coat in Sugar
Roll each banana slice in brown sugar. The sugar caramelizes during frying, creating that signature crunchy, sweet coating.
Step 3: Add Jackfruit
Place a slice or two of ripe jackfruit alongside the banana. Jackfruit gives turon its signature tropical sweetness. Without it, turon feels a little incomplete.
Step 4: Wrap Like a Spring Roll
Lay a spring roll wrapper flat. Place the banana and jackfruit near one corner, fold the sides in, and roll tightly. Seal the edge with a dab of water.
Step 5: Fry Until Golden
Heat oil in a pan. Fry each roll until golden brown and crispy. It usually takes 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Turon is best enjoyed hot, fresh from the pan. Serve it plain, or add caramel sauce if you want extra indulgence.
Tips for the Perfect Turon
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Too many rolls at once will drop the oil temperature and leave you with soggy results.
- Use ripe but firm bananas. Overripe bananas will turn mushy when fried.
- Double-wrap if needed. If your wrappers tear easily, use two for extra crunch.
- Experiment with fillings. Some families add shredded coconut, sweetened mung beans, or even ube for a twist.
Why Turon Is So Loved
Turon isn’t just food—it’s memory on a plate. In the Philippines, you’ll find vendors cooking them by the roadside, their sizzling pans drawing in kids and adults alike. For many, turon represents after-school snacks, lazy Sunday afternoons, or family get-togethers.
It’s also versatile. Serve it as a Filipino dessert recipe after dinner, pack it as a sweet snack, or bring it to a party—it never disappoints.
And yes, turon has even gone global. If you’ve ever ordered P.F. Chang’s banana spring rolls, you’ve had a modernized version of turon. But nothing beats the homemade, freshly fried original.
Variations Worth Trying
While the classic banana lumpia recipe is unbeatable, you can experiment:
- Turon with Ube Jam: Add a spoonful of ube (purple yam) for color and flavor.
- Chocolate Turon: Slip in a chocolate bar with the banana. Think of it as a tropical candy bar in a wrapper.
- Coconut Sugar Turon: Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a deeper caramel taste.
- Baked Turon: Brush with butter and bake until crisp if you’d like to cut back on frying.
Pairings for Turon
Turon is delicious on its own, but pairing it can take it over the top:
- With vanilla ice cream for a hot-and-cold contrast.
- Alongside suman (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves) for a Filipino dessert platter.
- With a strong cup of coffee or tea to balance the sweetness.
- As part of a Filipino banana leaf dinner, served after savory dishes like adobo or pancit.
Turon vs. Lumpia
You might be wondering: isn’t turon just lumpia? Yes and no. Lumpia refers to a broader family of Filipino spring rolls. They can be savory or sweet. Traditional Filipino lumpia usually has meat or vegetables. Turon falls into the dessert category, so it’s sometimes called banana lumpia Filipino style.
Think of it this way: lumpia is the genre, turon is the hit single.
Storage and Reheating
Turon is best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers (unlikely!), here’s how to store them:
- Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for a few hours.
- Refrigerator: Store for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to bring back the crispiness.
- Freezer: Wrap unfried turon in plastic and freeze. Fry straight from frozen when you’re ready.
Healthier Spin on Turon
I’ll be honest—turon is a treat, not a health food. But you can lighten it up a bit:
- Bake instead of frying.
- Use minimal sugar, letting the ripe bananas do the sweetening.
- Try whole wheat spring roll wrappers if you can find them.
It won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll still get that satisfying crunch.
Filipino Turon Banana Spring Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Peel the saba bananas. Slice them in half lengthwise. Each banana will give you 2 pieces.
- Coat each banana slice with brown sugar. This gives the turon its sweet caramel crunch.
- Place a banana slice and a strip of jackfruit together. The jackfruit adds extra tropical flavor.
- Lay the wrapper flat. Put the banana and jackfruit near one edge, fold the sides over, and roll tightly. Use water to seal the end so it won’t open while frying.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the rolls until golden brown and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Place fried turon on paper towels to remove extra oil. Serve hot with caramel drizzle, honey, or a scoop of ice cream.
Notes
- Saba bananas are best, but plantains or firm dessert bananas work fine.
- Don’t let the oil get too hot, or the sugar coating will burn before the wrapper crisps up.
- For a lighter version, bake them at 375°F until golden instead of frying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use regular bananas instead of saba?
Yes. While saba is traditional, plantains or even Cavendish bananas can work. Just pick bananas that are ripe but firm.
Q2: Do I have to add jackfruit?
Jackfruit is traditional, but not mandatory. If you can’t find it, go ahead and make banana-only turon.
Q3: Can turon be baked instead of fried?
Yes! Brush with butter or oil, then bake at 375°F until golden. It’ll be lighter but still crisp.
Q4: What oil works best for frying turon?
Neutral oils like canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil are perfect. Avoid strong flavors like olive oil.
Q5: Is turon served hot or cold?
Always hot! Freshly fried turon has the best crunch and flavor.
