Crispy Nendran Banana Chips (2024)

Introduction: Crispy Nendran Banana Chips

About: I like to make things more simple with easily available resources. My favorite quote: A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a… More About antoniraj »

Nendran, a variety of banana growing in some parts of South India is the most suitable variety for making chips. Traditionally, raw Nendran bananas are skinned, made in to thin slices and then deep fried in coconut oil. During deep frying little bit of water mixed with salt and turmeric powder is added over the slices in the oil to make them salty and also yellow in color.

Step 1: Harvest the Bananas

In our home garden we have a few Nendran banana trees. You can see in the picture that one banana has almost turned to yellow and started to ripen. This is the good time to harvest the bananas. You can use a few raw bunches at the bottom to make Nendran chips and the rest can be eaten as fruit after ripening.

Step 2: Slicer to Make Chips and Coconut Oil for Deep-frying

We use a hand-slicer to make thin slices from the bananas. The thickness of the slices can be adjusted as per your liking. However, for Nendran chips do not make very thin or thick slices. About one mm thick slices are good for the chips.

Traditionally, coconut oil is used for deep-frying the Nendran chips, which will give a pleasant aroma while eating. About half a liter of coconut oil will be sufficient for a bunch of large sized bananas.

Step 3: Prepare the Bananas

Here, I have used the bottom-most bunch for making the slices

  • Separate bananas from the bunch
  • Cut and separate the black end with the perianth
  • Make a thin longitudinal cut just to pierce the skin on one of the raised edges
  • Now you can very easily peel of the skin
  • Store peeled bananas in a container.

The peels can be used as compost. I feed them to my Biogas Digester.

Step 4: Prepare Salt &Turmeric Water

As I mentioned earlier, a mixture of salt and turmeric powder with water needs to be added to the slices being fried. Let us prepare the mix and keep it ready.

  • Take about 50 to 60 ml of water in a bowl
  • Add about a teaspoon of salt
  • Add about a teaspoon of turmeric powder
  • Mix well and keep aside

We will use this mix while deep frying the slices.

Step 5: Make Slices

Adjust the Hand slicer blade so that you will get about one mm thick slices. Either you can make longitudinal slices by keeping the peeled banana at an angle or you can keep it straight which will give you round slices. Normally, Nendran chips are made to a round shape only, so I sliced the bananas keeping it straight.

No need to dry the slices. They can be used for deep frying immediately. You can also make slices directly into the hot oil by holding the banana and the slicer over the oil. Most of the commercial Nendran chips makers do like that only. But take care from the hot oil in the pan if you wish to do like that.

Step 6: Deep Fry the Slices

  • Heat about 500 ml of coconut oil over medium fire in a pan
  • When the oil is hot enough add slices from one or two bananas
  • Stir well to make even frying
  • When the chips are almost done, add a spoonful of salt+turmeric water over the chips being fried
  • The oil may make a little splatter but not much. The chips will absorb the salt and the yellow color from the turmeric. No need to add salt afterwards.
  • When the chips are fully done, remove and strain out the oil
  • Store the hot chips over a metal plate and allow them to cool

Repeat the same process with remaining banana slices. Your crispy Nendran chips are ready.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy the Chips Whenever You Like

The Nendran chips can be stored in an air-tight container for a very long time. Enjoy the chips with a cup of hot coffee any time you like. This also serves as an excellent snack for unexpected guests at your home.

Crispy Nendran Banana Chips (5)

Participated in the
Snack Contest

Crispy Nendran Banana Chips (2024)

FAQs

How to maintain the crispiness of banana chips? ›

The slices can be partially dried before frying which removes some of the moisture and makes them more crispy. Frying removes some of the water, gelatinizes the starch, destroys enzymes and micro-organisms and gives a crisp product with a characteristic aroma and taste.

Are crispy banana chips healthy? ›

While they may seem healthy at first glance, banana chips can be loaded with calories, saturated fat, and added sugar. For a healthier alternative, look for dehydrated, non-fried banana chips made without added sugar. Better yet, choose a whole banana. If you decide to eat banana chips, be mindful of your portion size.

Are Nendran chips good for health? ›

While the coconut oil and minimal use of spices make them look like a healthy snack item, they are actually loaded with sugar and saturated fat that can lead to obesity, increased cholesterol levels and more.

Why are my banana chips not crispy? ›

A common reason behind dehydrated bananas not being crispy enough has to do with the ripeness of the fruit before the drying process. Starting off with bananas that are a bit firm is best, as overripe bananas can take longer to dry and, as a result, become sticky rather than crispy.

What keeps chips crispy? ›

What is the secret that keeps potato chips fresh and crisp? If you guessed nitrogen, you are right. Nitrogen in chip bags ensures that food processing and packaging companies can protect the quality and integrity of everyone's favorite hearty snack.

Is it OK to eat a lot of banana chips? ›

Banana chips are not a healthy weight-loss snack. Also, they are sugared or salted bananas that have been deep-fried. As a result, banana chips provide 210 calories and 12.5 grams of fat every half-cup. In addition, banana chips have several drawbacks.

Can banana chips spike blood sugar? ›

The preparation of some processed banana products might make them less suitable for people with diabetes. For example, some food manufacturers market dried banana chips as a healthy treat or snack. However, these may contain added sugars or syrups to enhance flavor, which could increase blood sugar levels.

Are banana chips healthier than potato? ›

One cup banana chips have much higher calories, total fat, saturated fat and sugar than potato chips. Yes, you read that right. But you need to be careful and limit your intake no matter which chips you buy. For a healthier option, choose baked over fried banana chips that are flavoured only with herbs and spices.

How do you know when banana chips are done? ›

Note 2: Total time will depend on your machine, total dehydrator load, humidity in the air, air temperature. 6-12 hours is a range and you should rely primarily on the feel and texture of the bananas to determine doneness. Bananas should be leathery in texture when properly dried.

How to get crispy banana chips in dehydrator? ›

Making banana chips in a dehydrator is even easier, but takes longer (it's hands off time). Slice the bananas thin, just like above, and toss with an acidic juice if desired. Spray your dehydrator trays with oil, then place the bananas on the trays, and dehydrate at around 135° F for 8-24 hours.

Why do chips lose their crispiness? ›

The crisp sound comes from the fractures of potato cells. During the frying process, potato cells turn brittle and dry. So when the chip is bitten into, it will cause fractures. If chips get damp, the potato cells will become soften and lose their brittleness and crispiness.

How do you make homemade chips crispy again? ›

Seriously, that's all it takes: a quick blast in a super-hot oven for a few minutes. Once the chips come out of the oven, you may fancy giving them a sprinkle of salt, but that's about all there is to it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5792

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.