Panikeke (Samoan Banana Pancake Balls)

Name: Panikeke (Samoan Banana Pancake Balls)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Samoa
Ingredients: 2 very ripe bananas, mashed; 100 g (1/2 cup) sugar; 1 large egg; 180 ml (3/4 cup) milk or coconut milk; 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional); About 750 ml vegetable oil, for deep frying

From Samoa

Golden Samoan pancake balls made from a sweet banana batter and fried until puffy and crisp. Simple, cheerful and perfect with a cup of cocoa or tea.

Prep: 15 min
Cooking: 20 min
Total: 35 min
Serves: 6
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For 6 servings

2 very ripe bananas, mashed
100 g (1/2 cup) sugar
1 large egg
180 ml (3/4 cup) milk or coconut milk
250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
About 750 ml vegetable oil, for deep frying

Step by step

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, sugar, egg and milk until well combined.
Step 2: Add the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and stir into a thick, sticky batter that drops slowly from a spoon.
Step 3: Heat the oil in a deep saucepan to about 170°C (340°F). A drop of batter should sizzle and float up within a few seconds.
Step 4: Using two spoons, carefully drop rounds of batter about the size of a golf ball into the oil. Fry 5 or 6 at a time so the oil stays hot.
Step 5: Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning them, until deep golden and cooked through. Break the first one open to check.
Step 6: Drain on paper towels and serve warm, plain or with a sprinkle of sugar.