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Bananas Foster is one of those classic desserts that feels a little fancy—and traditionally requires a hot skillet and a dramatic flambé.
This easy slow cooker bananas foster skips the rum and open flame, making it simple to recreate at home with just a handful of ingredients. The result is a warm, caramel-like banana topping that’s sweet, comforting, and surprisingly lightened up.
If you love the flavors of traditional Bananas Foster but want something more approachable (and WW-friendly), this version delivers. Just add everything to your slow cooker and let it do the work.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Slow Cooker Bananas Foster
- No flambé or special techniques required
- Made with just 5 simple ingredients
- Lighter, WW-friendly version of a classic dessert
- Perfect for topping ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, or oatmeal
- Hands-off slow cooker recipe
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bananas – Use firm, just-ripe bananas so they hold their shape while cooking
- Light Brown Sugar – Adds that classic caramel-like sweetness
- Ground Cinnamon – Warm flavor that complements the bananas
- Apricot Fruit Spread – Adds depth and a subtle fruity brightness (sugar-free works great)
- Butter – Adds richness; you can reduce or omit to lower points
WW Points & Calories
According to my calculations each serving has 182 calories and 6 WW Points.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
How to Make Slow Cooker Bananas Foster
- Lightly coat your slow cooker insert with nonstick spray
- Add bananas, brown sugar, and cinnamon; toss to coat
- Dollop apricot spread over the top
- Sprinkle with butter pieces
- Cover and cook on LOW for 1½ hours, until bananas are soft and sauce is bubbly
- Serve warm over frozen yogurt, ice cream, or pancakes
Tips for the Best Results
- Use firm bananas to prevent mushiness
- Avoid overcooking—check at 1 hour if your slow cooker runs hot
- Stir gently if needed, but don’t overmix
- Best served warm right after cooking
Requiring just 5 ingredients and no booze or flame, this lighter slow cooker version of Bananas Foster was a winner at our house. Rod called it the kind of dessert “you just don’t want to end,” which feels about right.
I modified the original slightly by cutting back on the butter and using sugar-free apricot fruit spread. If you want to reduce the points even further, you can skip the butter altogether.
If you’ve made this Crock Pot Bananas Foster with no rum, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Slow Cooker Bananas Foster (WW-Friendly, No Rum)
Ingredients
- 3 ripe firm bananas peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup apricot fruit spread
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Instructions
- Ideal Slow Cooker Size: 2- to 3-1/2-Quart.
- Coat the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the banana chunks, brown sugar and cinnamon in the slow cooker. Toss until the bananas are evenly coated with the sugar.
- Dollop teaspoonfuls of the apricot spread over the bananas. Sprinkle on the pieces of butter.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 1-1/2 hours or until the bananas are soft and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve over vanilla frozen yogurt, ice cream or gelato.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) To save 1 WW Point, omit the butter. Serve over vanilla frozen yogurt, ice cream or gelato. Or as a decadent breakfast topping for pancakes, french toast oatmeal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: Slightly adapted from The Great American Slow Cooker Book: 500 Easy Recipes for Every Day and Every Size Machine (affiliate link) by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make bananas foster without rum?
Yes! This version skips the rum entirely but still delivers that warm, caramelized flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
It’s best served fresh, but you can reheat leftovers gently in the microwave (affiliate link).
Will the bananas get mushy?
They will soften, but using firm bananas helps them hold their shape.
What can I serve this with?
Vanilla frozen yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal all work beautifully.
