Turon is a popular Filipino snack that’s sweet, crunchy, and satisfying. Ripe saba banana, jackfruit, and brown sugar are rolled together in a flour lumpia wrapper and fried to a golden crisp.
FILIPINO FOOD 101: What is turon?
Turon are fried spring rolls filled with ripe saba banana, jackfruit, and brown sugar. Typically served for merienda (Filipino afternoon snack) or dessert, turon has the perfect blend of flavor and texture.
Turon is something we rarely made at home growing up. I grew up near several Filipino shops nearby that made fresh turon every afternoon.
I no longer live near any Filipino bakeries. When the craving for something sweet and crunchy hits, I run to the nearest Asian market and find the ripest saba bananas they have. And, make turon at home!
Homemade Turon
Turon is very easy to make. SUPER easy. Only a handful of ingredients are needed: lumpia wrappers (I keep a stash in the freezer at all times), brown sugar, saba banana, and jackfruit.
The addition of jackfruit is optional. It adds another dimension of sweetness. However, overripe jackfruit tends to have a “cheesy” flavor that many find off-putting. Fresh jackfruit may be difficult to find, plus the whole fruit is rather large.
Unless you LOVE jackfruit, it is perfectly suitable to use canned jackfruit- especially because you only need a small amount. (Use the leftover jackfruit to make my Halo-Halo!)
Saba Banana
Saba bananas are native to the Philippines. These bananas are chubbier, thicker, and more angular in shape than standard bananas.
They can be found as most Asian markets under various names such as cardaba, sweet plantain, or papaya banana. If you cannot find saba banana, standard bananas can be used in its place.
INGREDIENT INTEL: When are saba banana ripe?
- Saba bananas start off lime green in color. At this point, they are ROCK HARD. They will turn yellow as they ripen. They will also gradually soften as they ripen.
- Saba banana are ready once the peel is deep yellow with heavy spotting. While these bananas may be eaten raw, in my opinion, they taste MUCH BETTER cooked.
Assembly
- Gather all your ingredients and have them ready.
- Place square lumpia wrapper on a work surface with one point of the square facing you. Coat sliced saba banana with brown sugar and place horizontal on lower 1/3 of lumpia wrapper. Add a couple strips of jackfruit, if using.
- Fold the bottom tip of the square wrapper up to cover the banana and jackfruit.
- Fold the right and left edges in to create an envelope.
- Use both hands to roll the banana into a log. Moisten the top edge of the wrapper with water and continue to roll the wrapper up to seal.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients. Turon can be fried immediately or frozen and saved for later frying.
Frying Eggrolls
I cannot stress enough the importance of using a candy thermometer when frying. This is the only way to accurately monitor the oil temperature.
The oil temperature will fluctuate during frying, you will have to turn your heat up and down accordingly to keep it at an even 350°F.
After frying, you are welcome to enjoy the turon at this point. Dip it in chocolate sauce. Perhaps eat it with a scoop of ice cream.
However, I require the extra step of tossing it in caramel.
This part is quick and easy. Simply melt sugar in a skillet. Once the sugar has liquified and caramelized into a rich amber puddle, toss in the fried turon and coat it will that sugary goodness.
Now, it’s truly ready to eat!
More Filipino Snacks
- Taho (sweet tofu)
- Biko (sweet rice cake)
- Nilangang Mani (boiled peanuts)
Turon (Filipino Fried Banana Rolls)
Ingredients
- 10 eight-inch square lumpia wrappers,, or spring roll wrappers
- 5 Ripe saba bananas,, split lengthwise*
- ⅓ cup sliced jackfruit,, fresh or canned
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- water, , for sealing wrappers
- vegetable oil, , for frying
Caramel Coating:
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Place square lumpia wrapper on work surface with one point of the square facing you. Coat saba banana with brown sugar and place horizontal on lower 1/3 of lumpia wrapper. Add a couple strips of jackfruit.
- Fold the tip of the square wrapper up to cover the banana and jackfruit. Fold the tip of the right side and left side in to create an envelope.
- Use both hands to roll the wrapper into a log. Moisten the top tip of the wrapper with water and continue to roll the wrapper up to seal. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Add about 1/2-inch to 1-inch of vegetable oil to heavy bottomed frying pan (such as cast iron pan or dutch oven). Set over medium heat and bring oil to a temperature of 350°F (175°C). It is best to use a candy thermometer to monitor oil temperature. This will result in even cooking.
- Once oil is at the proper temperature, carefully place banana rolls seam side down into pot. Work in batches and do not overcrowd the pot. Cook on each side for 90 seconds to 2 minutes until golden in color. Place on a wire rack set over a paper towel lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with remaining turon.
- To make caramel coating: In a heavy bottomed sauce pan set over medium heat, melt sugar. The sugar melted sugar will start to caramelized and brown. Once the caramel is a golden amber color, remove from heat. Toss in turon and fully coat in caramel. Serve warm, or at room temperature.
Notes
- Saba Banana: Philippine saba bananas can be found at Asian supermarkets. Saba bananas are chubbier, thicker, and more angular in shape than standard bananas. Ripe saba bananas will be soft and the peel will turn yellow with black spots or bruising. Saba is also called cardaba, sweet plantain, or papaya bananas. If you cannot find saba banana, regular banana can be used in its place.
- Jackfruit: While fresh jackfruit is best, it may be difficult to source. Canned jackfruit can be used in its place. Canned jackfruit will be sweeter since it it soaked in a simple syrup mixture. Drain canned jackfruit before using and slice into a small strips. If desired, omit jackfruit entirely.
- Lumpia Wrappers (or Spring Roll Wrappers): These can purchased frozen or refrigerated. Get the one that can be eaten fresh or fried. The ingredients list should no include eggs. It should be primarily flour, water, and salt. It is sometimes listed as “all-purpose” lumpia wrappers.
- See this post by David Lebovitz on how to make the perfect caramel for tips
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Masarap! Made it with regular bananas and still just as delicious
Can these be air fried?
I have not tried making these in an air fryer.
When I lived in Seattle there was a bakery called the DE-LITE BAKERY (or something along those lines) which sold Turon and I became an instant addict. I was so delighted to see this recipe!
I’ve heard about that bakery! My best friend lives in Seattle and I’ve been meaning to check out the Filipino food scene up there. I’m so happy you stumbled upon it!