Banana Heart Fries (Puso ng Saging Fries) – Street Food Style

Banana Heart Fries (Puso ng Saging Fries) – Street Food Style is a medium Filipino recipe that serves 4. 500 calories per serving.

Prep: 30 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 50 min

Cost: $38.04 total, $9.51 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces Banana Heart (cleaned, trimmed, cut into florets (round and long))
  • 0.5 cup White Vinegar (for soaking to prevent darkening)
  • 1 tablespoon Salt (for soaking and sauce)
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (for coating)
  • 8 tablespoons Breading Mix (can be store‑bought breadcrumbs or panko)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (ground, for coating)
  • 1 large Egg (beaten)
  • 2 tablespoons Water (for batter consistency)
  • 2 cups Vegetable Oil (neutral oil for deep‑frying (canola or peanut))
  • 0.5 cup Mayonnaise (for sauce)
  • 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar (balances sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon Water (thins sauce)

Instructions

  1. Make Soaking Solution

    In a large bowl, combine ½ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, and enough water to fully submerge the banana hearts.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Soak Banana Hearts

    Place the cleaned banana hearts in the vinegar‑salt solution and let them soak for 5 minutes to remove sap and prevent darkening.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Drain and Pat Dry

    Remove the hearts from the liquid, drain, and pat them dry with paper towels.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Cut into Florets

    Using a sharp knife, slice each banana heart into bite‑size florets – some round, some elongated – and discard the tough core.

    Time: PT10M

  5. Prepare Coating Mix

    In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all‑purpose flour, 8 tbsp breading mix, and ½ tsp ground black pepper.

    Time: PT2M

  6. Beat Egg Wash

    In a small bowl, beat 1 large egg with 2 tbsp water until smooth.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Dredge Banana Heart Pieces

    One by one, dip each floret first into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash, and finally coat with the remaining breading mix. Place coated pieces on a tray.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Heat Oil

    Fill the deep fryer or pan with vegetable oil to about 2 inches deep and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 350°F

  9. Deep‑Fry Florets

    Carefully add the coated florets in batches. Fry for 1 minute, stir, then continue frying until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes total.

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: 350°F

  10. Drain Excess Oil

    Using a slotted spoon or strainer, lift the fried pieces and let them rest on a paper‑towel‑lined plate to remove excess oil.

    Time: PT1M

  11. Prepare Garlic Mayo Sauce

    In a bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, minced garlic, 1 tsp sugar, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, and 1 tbsp water. Mix until smooth.

    Time: PT3M

  12. Toss or Serve

    Either toss the hot fries in the sauce for a coated bite or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
500
Protein
8 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
30 g
Fiber
4 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains egg

Allergens: Egg, Wheat, Milk

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Banana Heart Fries (Puso ng Saging Fries) – Street Food Style

Crispy, street‑food‑style fries made from the tender heart of the banana plant. The banana hearts are soaked to prevent darkening, cut into bite‑size florets, coated in a seasoned flour‑bread crumb mixture, deep‑fried, and tossed in a garlicky mayo sauce. Perfect as a snack or a small‑business offering.

MediumFilipinoServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
37m
Prep
9m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
56m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$38.04
Total cost
$9.51
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Soaking the banana hearts to prevent darkening
  • Cutting the hearts into uniform florets
  • Maintaining oil temperature at 350°F during frying
  • Ensuring each piece is fully coated before frying
  • Avoiding overcrowding the oil to keep temperature steady

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can cause severe burns – use tongs and keep children away
  • Do not fill the pan more than half full to prevent oil overflow
  • If oil smokes, remove from heat immediately

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of banana heart fries (puso ng saging fries) in Filipino street food culture?

A

Banana heart, or puso ng saging, is a traditional vegetable in the Philippines often used in stews or salads. Turning it into street‑food‑style fries is a modern twist that showcases the Filipino knack for turning humble ingredients into tasty, portable snacks sold at markets and festivals.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of puso ng saging dishes in Filipino cuisine?

A

In the Visayas and Mindanao, banana heart is commonly simmered in coconut milk (ginataan) or sautéed with garlic and onions. Some regions serve it pickled in vinegar, while others incorporate it into salads with shrimp or pork. The fry version is a newer, urban adaptation.

cultural
Q

How is banana heart traditionally served in the Philippines, and how does this fried version differ?

A

Traditionally, banana heart is boiled or sautéed and served as a side dish or mixed into salads. The fried version adds a crunchy exterior and is often enjoyed as a snack or street‑food offering, served with a dipping sauce rather than as a main accompaniment.

cultural
Q

During which Filipino celebrations or occasions is puso ng saging commonly prepared?

A

Banana heart appears in family gatherings, fiestas, and especially during the harvest season when fresh bananas are abundant. It is also featured in street‑food stalls during local fairs and market days.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients are essential for traditional Filipino banana heart dishes, and what can be substituted in this fry recipe?

A

Traditional dishes rely on fresh banana heart, garlic, onions, and sometimes coconut milk. In this fry recipe, the essential authentic ingredient is the banana heart itself; you can substitute the breading mix with panko or rice flour for a gluten‑free version, and use lemon juice instead of vinegar for soaking.

cultural
Q

What other Filipino dishes pair well with banana heart fries as a snack or side?

A

They pair nicely with other street foods like fish balls, kikiam, or lumpia, and complement a simple vinegar‑based dipping sauce or a sweet chili sauce. A cold halo‑halo dessert or a glass of sago’t gulaman also balances the savory crunch.

cultural
Q

What makes banana heart fries special or unique in Filipino cuisine?

A

The dish transforms a typically soft, leafy vegetable into a crunchy, handheld snack, highlighting the Filipino tradition of creative, resourceful cooking that turns everyday produce into crowd‑pleasing street fare.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making banana heart fries?

A

Common errors include over‑soaking which makes the hearts mushy, not drying the pieces before coating, overcrowding the oil which drops temperature, and under‑cooking the coating so it stays soggy. Follow the critical steps for best results.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use a vinegar‑salt soak instead of plain water for banana hearts?

A

Vinegar and salt neutralize the sap (dagta) that can cause discoloration and bitterness. The acidic soak keeps the banana heart bright white and improves texture before frying.

technical
Q

Can I make banana heart fries ahead of time and how should I store them?

A

Yes. You can soak, cut, and coat the florets up to 30 minutes before frying; keep them refrigerated. After frying, store the fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in a hot oven to restore crispness.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Lokong Kusinero specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Lokong Kusinero focuses on Filipino street‑food‑style recipes, especially affordable, business‑friendly dishes that can be sold at stalls or home‑based ventures.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Lokong Kusinero's approach to Filipino cooking differ from other Filipino cooking channels?

A

Lokong Kusinero emphasizes low‑cost, high‑volume street food concepts and practical tips for turning home recipes into sellable products, whereas many other channels concentrate on family meals or traditional home cooking without the business angle.

channel

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