Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe

Homey Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe: A Sweet Country Delight

Southern summers whisper sweet memories of classic banana cobbler dancing through grandma’s kitchen.

Ripe bananas meld perfectly with buttery crumble, creating a dessert that speaks directly to comfort.

Layers of warm, golden goodness promise a delightful escape from ordinary sweets.

Delicate fruit nestles beneath a crisp, caramelized topping that crackles with each spoonful.

Minimal ingredients and simple techniques make this treat accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Creamy, rich textures blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor every single bite.

Come discover a dessert that turns ordinary moments into cherished southern traditions.

Southern Banana Cobbler Sweetness

  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Southern Banana Cobbler delivers a warm, nostalgic dessert that brings families together with its sweet, homey flavors and irresistible aroma.
  • Minimal Prep Magic: Requires simple ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers who want a delicious dessert without complicated techniques.
  • Versatile Dessert Delight: Suitable for potlucks, family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a spontaneous sweet craving with its easy-to-follow recipe and crowd-pleasing taste.
  • Customizable Treat: Easily adaptable with optional toppings like vanilla ice cream or extra banana slices, allowing personal creativity and making each cobbler unique to the baker's style.

Ingredients for Southern Banana Cobbler

For the Cobbler Base:
  • Self-Rising Flour: Provides the perfect foundation for a light and fluffy cobbler texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the banana flavor.
  • Milk: Creates a smooth and creamy batter consistency.
  • Melted Butter: Enhances richness and adds a golden color to the cobbler.
For the Banana Layer:
  • Bananas: Bring natural sweetness and soft, creamy texture to the dessert.
For the Streusel Topping:
  • Brown Sugar, Flour: Create a classic crumbly streusel base with deep caramel notes.
  • Softened Butter: Helps bind the streusel ingredients together.
  • Oats: Add a hearty and crunchy element to the topping.
  • Pecans: Provide a nutty crunch and complementary flavor to the sweet bananas.
For the Optional Serving:
  • Vanilla Ice Cream, Extra Banana Slices: Offer a cool, creamy contrast and additional fresh banana flavor.
For the Baking Preparation:
  • Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking of the cobbler.

How to Bake Southern Banana Cobbler

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grab a 2-quart baking dish and coat it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Streusel

In a mixing bowl, grab a fork and combine:
  • Brown sugar
  • Flour
  • Softened butter

Mix until the texture becomes wonderfully crumbly. Fold in oats and chopped pecans.

Set this delightful topping aside for later.

Step 3: Mix the Cobbler Base

Whisk together in a medium bowl:
  • Self-rising flour
  • Sugar
  • Milk

Blend until smooth, then stir in melted butter.

Pour this silky mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating a soft foundation for your cobbler.

Step 4: Layer the Bananas

Arrange sliced bananas in an even layer across the batter.

This will create a sweet, fruity surprise in every bite.

Step 5: Top and Sprinkle

Generously distribute the streusel topping over the banana layer, ensuring every inch gets some crunchy goodness.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the cobbler sets perfectly.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow the cobbler to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. For an extra indulgent experience, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a few extra banana slices on top.

Tips for Southern Banana Cobbler Success

  • Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your cobbler.
  • Chill the streusel topping for 10 minutes before sprinkling to help it maintain a crumbly texture during baking.
  • Toss banana slices in a bit of lemon juice to prevent quick discoloration and maintain fresh appearance.
  • For extra crunch, toast pecans before adding them to the streusel topping to enhance their nutty flavor.
  • Warm the cobbler slightly before serving to help the streusel stay crisp and release its aromatic buttery notes.

Variations of Southern Banana Cobbler

  • Tropical Paradise Cobbler: Replace bananas with a mix of mango, pineapple, and coconut for a vibrant island-inspired dessert. Add shredded coconut to the streusel for extra crunch.
  • Caramel Banana Decadence: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cobbler before serving. Sprinkle sea salt on top to enhance the sweet-salty flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Banana Comfort: Mix chocolate chips into the batter and streusel. Top with chocolate shavings and a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent chocolate-banana experience.

Pairings for Southern Banana Cobbler

  • Pair Perfectly with Southern Banana Cobbler
  • Elevate Flavor Companions: Vanilla bourbon ice cream complements the rich, caramelized banana notes with its smooth, creamy texture and subtle whiskey undertones.
  • Brew Beverage Boost: Chicory coffee provides a robust, slightly bitter contrast that cuts through the dessert's sweetness, creating a balanced Southern-style drinking experience.
  • Enhance Dessert Harmony: Caramel sauce drizzled over the cobbler intensifies the brown sugar and banana flavors, adding an extra layer of decadent richness to each warm bite.
  • Refresh Taste Sensation: Spiced rum-spiked whipped cream offers a playful, spirited twist that elevates the cobbler's warm, comforting essence with a hint of Caribbean flair.

Storage Tips for Southern Banana Cobbler

  • Store leftover banana cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
  • Wrap individual portions or the entire cobbler in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Place a date label on the container for easy tracking.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Remove cobbler from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent burning and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients for Southern Banana Cobbler?

The key ingredients include ripe bananas, self-rising flour, brown sugar, butter, milk, pecans, and oats. These components create a rich, sweet dessert with a crumbly streusel topping and soft banana base.

  • Is this recipe considered easy to make?

Yes, this recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic baking skills. The preparation is straightforward, with simple mixing and layering techniques that even novice bakers can successfully execute.

  • Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

You can swap pecans with walnuts or almonds. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour blend. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by adding baking powder and salt to all-purpose flour.

  • What makes the texture of this cobbler unique?
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Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe

Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe


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4.9 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet Southern banana cobbler brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending ripe bananas with buttery crumble. Warm spices and golden crisp topping create a delightful dessert you can savor with vanilla ice cream.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
  • 1 cup milk

Streusel Topping:

  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup self-rising flour
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Optional Ingredient:

  • 2 teaspoons banana extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Create the streusel mixture by combining brown sugar, flour, and softened butter using a fork until a crumbly texture forms. Gently fold in oats and chopped pecans, then set the mixture aside.
  3. Whisk self-rising flour, sugar, and milk in a medium bowl until smooth and well-integrated. Incorporate melted butter into the batter, stirring until completely blended.
  4. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the dish.
  5. Arrange sliced bananas in a uniform layer directly on top of the batter, covering the entire surface.
  6. Generously distribute the prepared streusel topping over the banana layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a set consistency.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. For an extra indulgent experience, pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and additional banana slices.

Notes

  • Perfectly ripe bananas work best, with yellow skin and small brown spots, ensuring maximum sweetness and soft texture.
  • Prevent banana browning by tossing sliced bananas with a little lemon juice before layering, which maintains their fresh appearance.
  • Customize the streusel by swapping pecans with walnuts or almonds for different nutty flavor profiles and added crunch.
  • Make this dessert gluten-free by substituting regular flour with gluten-free self-rising flour blend, keeping the same measurements and technique.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 363
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Nate Harper

Nate Harper

Founder & Recipe Curator

Expertise

Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.

Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.


Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.

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