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Maruya (Baked Filipino Banana Fritters)

Maruya (Baked Filipino Banana Fritters)

Maruya is a cherished Filipino street food traditionally made by deep-frying battered saba bananas in hot oil. This modernized version features ripe saba bananas folded into a light, buttery batter, baked in a muffin tin, and finished under the broiler with a butter-sugar coating that creates a delightfully crispy crust – offering the same satisfying texture and flavor as the classic version but with a healthier preparation method.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 12 pieces
Calories 165 kcal
Difficulty Medium

Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin tin (either square or round
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Wire whisk
  • Pastry brush
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula

Ingredients
 

For the Batter:

  • 4 very ripe Saba bananas saging na saba, cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour harina
  • ¼ cup cornstarch cornstarch
  • ¼ cup superfine sugar asukal
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder pampaalsa
  • 1 large egg room temperature (itlog)
  • ½ cup milk room temperature (gatas)
  • ¼ cup melted butter cooled (tinunaw na mantikilya)

For the Sugar Crust:

  • ¼ cup melted butter tinunaw na mantikilya
  • ¼ cup sugar asukal

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 12-cup muffin tin with baking spray. Set aside.
  • Take a large bowl and mix together 1 cup flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Whisk well to remove any lumps.
  • In another bowl, combine 1 egg, ½ cup milk, and ¼ cup melted butter – make sure these are all at room temperature. Whisk until well mixed.
  • Pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula just until combined. Some small flour streaks are okay – don't overmix.
  • Cut 4 ripe saba bananas into small cubes. Fold them gently into your batter.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups.
  • Bake at 375°F for 17 minutes until just cooked through.
  • Remove from oven and turn on your broiler to 500°F.
  • While the broiler heats, brush the tops of your Maruya generously with ¼ cup melted butter, then sprinkle with ¼ cup sugar.
  • Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the tops turn golden brown and crispy.
  • Take out of the oven and let rest in the pan for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly for another 5 minutes.
  • Serve warm, optionally with a drizzle of coco jam or a cup of hot chocolate or ginger tea.

Tips from Lola's Kitchen

  • Choose very ripe Saba bananas with black spots for maximum sweetness
  • Bringing ingredients to room temperature prevents curdling
  • Don't overmix the batter to keep it light and fluffy
  • Watch carefully during broiling as it can burn quickly
  • Tap muffin tin gently on counter before baking to remove air bubbles
 

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 85mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 16IUCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!