Looking for a sweet treat made with ripe bananas? Try these traditional Homemade Banana Gulgula aka Indian banana fritters for a delicious and easy-to-make dessert.

Are you looking for a recipe that involves using up those spotted bananas? Perhaps a recipe that is NOT banana bread? These traditional Homemade Banana Gulgula are not only delicious but are incredibly easy to whip up with ingredients you already have in your kitchen… including those spotted brown bananas!

If you are a fan of bite size treats with a soft, melt in your mouth texture, then you are in for a treat! These deep fried fritters are the perfect treat for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Lets make some Homemade Banana Gulgulas – aka Indian Banana Fritters!!!

What Is Gulgula?

Gulgula is a deep fried traditional sweet made in Indian culture. My family are from Fiji and this treat was often shared with friends and family on special occasions. Gulgula is shaped into a ball then deep fried in vegetable oil – not the healthiest dessert but boy are they delicious! They are crispy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside, making them the perfect treat for any occasion.

What Does Lactose Free Mean?

First and foremost, I try my best to incorporate lactose free ingredients in all my recipes. These ingredients can include, butter, milk, cream cheese etc. With that being said, sometimes it is hard to make an entire recipe using ALL lactose free ingredients. For example, my ice cream recipes include, condensed milk- NOT LACTOSE FREE.

Contrary to what some may believe, lactose – free is not the same as dairy free. Lactose – free still contains milk, however, there is a certain component, I believe a type of sugar (I may be wrong) where the lactose is removed from dairy, making it lactose – free. Dairy free on the other hand, contains ZERO milk. Alternatives for dairy free are almond milk, oat milk, soy milk etc. You can learn more about the differences here.

Which Ingredients Are Lactose Free?

Milk – I used Fairlife lactose free milk

Why You Will Love This Homemade Banana Gulgula Recipe!

They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
They are easy to make.
No eggs are needed for this recipe.
Lactose free milk was used for this recipe.
Deep frying them in oil only takes a few minutes.

Recipe At A Glance:

Banana: You will need two ripe bananas. The riper the better!

Milk or water: You will need four tablespoons of milk or water.

Granulated Sugar: You will need three tablespoons of granulated sugar.

Brown Sugar: You will need three tablespoons of brown sugar.

Flour: You will need half a cup.

Baking Powder: You will need one tsp.

Baking Soda: You will need one tsp.

Vanilla Extract: You will need one tsp.

Cinnamon: You will need one tsp.

Salt: one tsp of salt for taste.

Oil: Vegetable oil for deep frying.

ingredients for Homemade Banana Gulgula aka Indian banana fritters

Equipment Needed:

Spatula: For mixing.

Measuring Spoons and Cup: For accurate measurements.

Mixing Bowl: For the ingredients.

Paper Towel: For draining the excess oil on the gulgulas.

Plate: For the paper towel.

Deep frying Pan: For deep frying your Homemade Banana Gulgula.

Whisk: For mixing the dry ingredients.

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How To Make Homemade Banana Gulgula:

Step By Step Instructions:

Step One:

Heat the oil

Gather all your ingredients, measure everything – set aside.

In a deep pan, heat vegetable oil on medium to low heat.

Step Two:

Prepare the batter

In a mixing bowl, add sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, flour, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients with a whisk to remove any lumps.

dry ingredients for Homemade Banana Gulgula aka Indian banana fritters

Mash bananas on a flat surface (or small plate) until smooth and add to the mixing bowl.

plate of mashed banana being prepared for Homemade Banana Gulgula batter

Gradually add milk or water to the bowl until you get a nice thick consistency.

mixing the wet ingredients in a bowl for Homemade Banana Gulgula aka Indian banana fritters batter

The consistency should be thick enough to hold its shape.

Step Three:

Ready to deep fry

To check if the oil is ready – drop a small dallop of the batter into the oil – it should rise to the surface and turn golden brown in about thirty seconds.

deep frying the Homemade Banana Gulgula aka Indian banana fritters in a hot pot of vegetable oil

Using a spoon or your hands, carefully drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil. Turn them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.

Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step Four:

Drain and serve

Once the Homemade Banana Gulgulas are golden brown and crisp, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel – lined plate to drain any excess oil.

freshly fried banana gulgulas aka Indian banana fritters being taken out of the oil

Serve hot and enjoy!

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Storing And Freezing Homemade Banana Gulgula:

Leftovers? No problem! Simply store the Homemade Banana Gulgulas aka Indian banana fritters in an airtight container for up to two days.

To reheat, add them to an oven on low heat to crisp them up before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What can I use instead of sugar?

Instead of sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup instead. Because both are liquids, you will need to adjust the recipe to get the right consistency.

Why are my banana gulgulas oily?

If your gulgulas are too oily, the oil may not have been hot enough to fry.

Can I add more to this recipe?

Of course! You can add other fruits like dried pineapple, chopped nuts, and/or rasins.

My batter is too runny?

If your batter is too runny, add a tsp of flour until you reach the right consistency. If the batter is too thick, add a splash of milk.