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Kluay tod (Thai fried bananas)
กล้วยทอด · Crisp banana fritters in a coconut, rice flour and sesame batter
In the afternoons, Bangkok's street-corner woks switch from noodles to snacks, and kluay tod is the one you smell from down the soi: wedges of small, firm bananas in a coconut and sesame batter, fried until bronze and sold in paper bags. The batter is made with rice flour and a little lime water, so it shatters rather than turning bready, while the banana inside goes soft and jammy. Thais use kluay nam wa, a short, tart banana; firm, just-ripe ordinary bananas work too. Eat them warm, on their own or with a scoop of coconut ice cream. Chef's tip: overripe bananas fall apart and soak up oil; choose ones that are yellow with no brown spots.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the batter
For frying
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Whisk 2 ⅞ oz rice flour, ⅔ oz tapioca starch, 1 oz desiccated coconut, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp baking powder and 2 tbsp white sesame seeds in a bowl. Stir in ½ cup coconut milk and ¼ cup cold water to make a batter about as thick as double cream. Rest it for 10 minutes so the rice flour hydrates.
10 minStep 2: Peel 6 small firm bananas. Cut small ones in half lengthways; cut large ones into 3 pieces, then halve each lengthways. Press each piece lightly with your palm to flatten it a little, which helps it cook evenly.
Step 3: Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan to 350°F over a medium heat. A drop of batter should sizzle at once and float up within 2 seconds.
Step 4: Dip a few banana pieces in the batter, let the excess drip off and slide them into the oil. Fry 5–6 at a time for 4–5 minutes, turning once, until deep golden brown and the bubbling has quietened. If they are pale they will go soft as they cool.
12 minStep 5: Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on a rack or kitchen paper. Leave for 2 minutes, as the batter crisps further as it cools, then serve warm.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 48 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kluay tod (Thai fried bananas) take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of baking powder?
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar per 1 tsp.
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