Banana Turon Filipino Lumpia

This irresistible Filipino banana turon lumpia transforms humble bananas into a delightful dessert that brings the flavors of Southeast Asia right to your kitchen. The crispy wrapper encases warm sweet banana and jackfruit for a perfect balance of textures and flavors that will transport you straight to the streets of Manila.

I first learned to make turon from my Filipino neighbor who insisted this was the perfect way to use up ripening bananas. Now whenever I make these crispy treats, my kitchen fills with the most heavenly caramelized banana aroma that never fails to draw everyone in.

Ingredients

• Ripe baby bananas or plantain: providing natural sweetness and a soft texture when cooked
• Ripe jackfruit: adding an exotic tropical flavor that complements the banana perfectly
• Light brown sugar: creating that signature caramelization and sweet coating
• Lumpia wrappers: delivering the essential crispy exterior that makes turon so satisfying
• Olive oil: helping achieve that golden finish without deep frying
• Water: for sealing the wrappers and ensuring they stay closed during cooking

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat Air Fryer:

Set your air fryer to 370°F and 16 minutes cooking time. This temperature is perfect for achieving that golden crisp exterior while thoroughly cooking the fruit inside.

Prepare The Bananas:

Cut the baby bananas lengthwise into four pieces. The uniform size ensures even cooking and makes them easier to wrap. The banana should be ripe enough to be sweet but still firm enough to handle.

Assemble The Wrapper:

Lay a lumpia wrapper on a plate in a diamond orientation. This position makes it easier to fold and roll. Lightly brush with water to help with sealing later on.

Add The Filling:

Place one slice of banana and one strip of jackfruit in the center of the wrapper. Sprinkle with brown sugar generously. The sugar will caramelize during cooking creating that signature sweet coating.

Wrap The Turon:

Fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling then roll tightly from bottom to top. Seal the edge with a light brush of water. Ensure there are no openings where filling could escape during cooking.

Prepare The Glaze:

Mix the remaining brown sugar with a tablespoon of water to create a sweet glaze. This step creates that signature caramelized coating that makes turon irresistible.

Glaze The Rolls:

Drizzle the sugar glaze over each assembled turon. This will create a beautiful caramelized finish during cooking.

Prepare For Air Frying:

Transfer rolls carefully to your air fryer trays and brush lightly with oil on both sides. The oil helps achieve that golden color and crispy texture without deep frying.

Cook The Turon:

Place the trays in the middle cooking chamber of your air fryer. For even cooking turn each roll halfway through the cooking time.

Monitor The Cooking:

Watch for the wrappers to turn a beautiful golden brown color. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Serve While Warm:

Remove the turon once they are crispy and golden. The inside will be hot so allow to cool slightly before serving.

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The jackfruit in this recipe is truly what sets authentic turon apart from simpler banana spring rolls. I remember the first time I bit into a properly made turon with jackfruit in Manila and was amazed at how this unusual fruit added such a distinctive tropical sweetness that perfectly complemented the banana.

Storing Your Turon

These crispy treats are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer when the wrappers are at their crispiest and the filling is warm. However if you need to store leftovers place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To restore crispness reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for about 3 minutes. Avoid refrigerating as this will make the wrappers soggy and change the texture significantly.

Perfect Pairings

Turon makes a delightful dessert on its own but elevating it to a more elaborate treat is simple. Serve warm turon with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a wonderful temperature contrast. The cold creamy ice cream against the hot crispy turon creates a memorable dessert experience. Drizzle with caramel sauce or sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes for added flavor dimensions that complement the tropical profile of this Filipino classic.

Finding Ingredients

If authentic Filipino ingredients seem challenging to find there are practical substitutions available. Regular spring roll wrappers work well if lumpia wrappers are unavailable. For the filling standard bananas can replace baby bananas though they will be softer. If jackfruit proves difficult to source consider using mango pieces instead for a different but equally delicious tropical flavor profile. International markets and Asian grocery stores typically carry these ingredients but online specialty stores also offer these items with delivery options.

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Recipe FAQs

→ What bananas work best for turon?

Baby bananas, also known as Lady Fingers, are ideal. Plantains or regular bananas are good alternatives.

→ Can I use a different wrapper if I can't find lumpia wrappers?

Yes, spring roll wrappers work as a substitute if lumpia wrappers are not available.

→ How do I ensure the rolls are crispy?

Ensure the rolls are tightly sealed, brushed with oil, and cooked evenly in the air fryer, flipping halfway through.

→ Can I make the rolls in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the rolls ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator before cooking.

→ What can I pair with banana turon?

Banana turon pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce for a delicious dessert.