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

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

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of White Vinegar: Lemon juice
• Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Rice flour (gluten‑free)
• Instead of Breading Mix: Panko breadcrumbs
• Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
• Instead of Egg: Flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
• Instead of Vegetable Oil: Peanut oil
• Instead of Mayonnaise: Vegan mayo
• Instead of Garlic: Garlic powder (½ tsp)
• Instead of Sugar: Honey (½ tsp)

Equipment Needed

• Large Bowl
• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk or Fork
• Deep Fryer or Large Nonstick Pan
• Slotted Spoon or Strainer
• Tongs
• Serving Plate

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• 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

Chef Tips from the Video

• Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
• Add a pinch of paprika to the coating for subtle heat
• For a lighter batter, replace water with ice‑cold soda water
• Serve with a squeeze of lime for brightness

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store fried banana heart fries and sauce in separate airtight containers for up to 2 days.

Freezer: Freeze fried pieces in a single layer, then transfer to a zip‑top bag; reheat in oven up to 1 month later.

Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature longer than 2 hours.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Soak and cut the banana hearts up to 2 hours ahead and keep refrigerated
• Coated florets can be refrigerated for 30 minutes before frying
• The garlic mayo sauce can be prepared a day ahead; stir before serving

Frequently Asked Questions