Ever since discovering how easy making custom coffee syrups at home, I haven’t bought a single bottle. If you have been looking for an easy way to upgrade your at-home lattes, then you need to try this banana bread coffee syrup. It has a fresh banana flavor with warm spices that make your coffee taste like freshly baked banana bread! While plain vanilla and caramel are staples, it’s time to level up with this cozy, homemade banana bread syrup.

This Recipe Actually Tastes Like Banana Bread

I strongly dislike artificial banana flavor, which makes any baked good or drink taste like liquid Laffy Taffy. And who isn’t disappointed when you get an artificial banana latte expecting fresh banana flavor? Because this banana bread syrup is made with ripe fruit, there’s no need for extract.

For this recipe, I just took the ingredients you use in banana bread—brown sugar, ripe bananas, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg—and reduced them with water until lightly thickened. There’s truly no easier way to make coffee syrup, and you only need to wash one dish after!

Tip: Some people like nuts and other flavors in their banana bread, which you can also infuse into this syrup! More details below!

How to Get a Strong, Authentic Banana Flavor

The most common complaint I hear with homemade banana syrup is that the flavor ends up weak, watery, or completely masked by coffee. Bananas need a little bit of help to extract all their tropical flavor, so before you make this recipe, here are 4 ways to get a strong banana bread flavor:

1. Freeze-Thaw Extraction (My Favorite)

This is the secret many chefs use to extract more flavor from fruit. Freeze your ripe bananas whole (peel and all) until solid. An hour or two before making the syrup, take them out and let them thaw completely in a bowl. Freezing breaks the cell walls, so they will release a significant amount of concentrated, syrupy banana juice when thawing. That’s the liquid gold that will make your syrup so banana-y! Use both the juice and flesh for a full-bodied syrup.

2. Overnight Maceration

Similar to freezing, mashing your bananas and letting them hang out with brown sugar draws out the natural banana juices through osmosis. Cover and let the mixture sit in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight. This way, you start with a syrupy, flavor-packed liquid rather than just water and chunks of fruit.

3. Puree Method

If you love a thicker syrup, blend the simmered mixture until smooth. You’ll get a rich, thick, and flavorful puree that will make a nice layer on the bottom of a glass.

4. Banana Powder

For ultra-concentrated flavor without adding extra water content, try adding a tablespoon of dried banana powder to your syrup after it simmers. You can make banana powder by blending dried bananas into a powder. Because it’s dehydrated fruit, it intensifies the banana flavor. It’s the ultimate hack if your bananas aren’t quite as ripe as you’d like!

Pro Tip: Regardless of method, always simmer your syrup on medium-low heat. High heat can “cook off” flavor.

Ingredients for the Perfect Banana Bread Coffee Simple Syrup

• 1 ripe banana
• ⅓ cup brown sugar — Light brown sugar works best so the syrup isn’t too molasses-forward.
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice — This makes this syrup so easy because it already includes all the warm spices you use in fall baked goods.
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 cup water — Use already hot water to jumpstart making your syrup.

How to Make Banana Bread Syrup (Step-by-Step)

1. Blend Bananas. Peel and mash your banana thoroughly in a bowl with a fork, or toss it into a blender and blend until smooth. Then, add spices and mix until well-incorporated. This helps increase the surface area to extract more banana flavor.
2. Simmer Syrup. Transfer your banana paste into a small pot and add water and sugar, then simmer on medium to low heat, stirring occasionally so the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture doesn’t burn at the bottom.
3. Check Consistency. Continue simmering until the liquid reduces slightly and reaches your desired syrup consistency. It should easily coat the back of a spoon but remain liquid enough to pour smoothly.
4. Cool and Store. Remove the pot from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in the optional vanilla extract (adding it off-heat keeps the flavor from evaporating!). Pour the syrup into an airtight container or a glass mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
5. Enjoy! Add this to coffee for a banana bread latte or matcha for a banana bread matcha latte!

How to Store Homemade Syrup

Unlike store-bought syrups, homemade syrups don’t have any artificial preservatives in them, so proper storage is important. You’ll want to use a glass jar or bottle to keep your syrup, preferably one with an airtight lid. This will keep out any weird fridge smells and also lower air exposure as much as possible.

Keep your syrup in the fridge as a natural preservation method, as keeping it out at room temperature can quicken spoilage. And if you aren’t using your syrups within a week or 2, pour them into an ice cube tray and freeze them for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw before use.

AND make sure to properly label the bottle so you know when you made it and what syrup it is.

Zero Waste Tip: What to Do with the Leftover Banana Pulp

Once you’ve made this delicious banana bread syrup, you’ll be left with the banana pulp chunks after straining. Instead of tossing the pulp, save it for a delicious yogurt or ice cream topping! It’s basically concentrated banana bread flavor that can easily dress up a plain ingredient. I love it on Greek yogurt or even plain pancakes with some maple syrup.

You can also use it in smoothies for extra fiber and flavor, such as a carrot cake or banana bread smoothie. And if you really don’t want to eat it, you can always compost it for some extra nice fertilizer.

Creative Ways to Use Your Banana Bread Syrup

The best part about making homemade banana bread syrup is using it in your homemade creations! The most obvious creation is a banana bread iced latte or banana bread coffee, which are such unique and delicious drinks! This syrup is also amazing in a banana bread matcha latte, for that creamy, spiced flavor.

You can also drizzle this syrup on yogurt, pancakes, ice cream, or any other treat that needs some extra sweetness.

Banana Bread Syrup Variations

Everyone loves a classic banana bread syrup, but you can also experiment with different flavors to customize it to your liking. Here are some easy variations to try:

• Add Toasted Nuts: I personally am a BIG fan of walnuts in my banana bread, so if you’re the same, toast some walnuts and add them to your warm syrup to infuse the flavors for 5 – 10 minutes. Strain the nuts out and let them dry for banana bread spiced nuts!
• Use Brown Butter: Using brown butter in actual banana bread is a genius way to add extra nuttiness and flavor, and the same goes for this syrup! Brown some butter and add it to your syrup for a nuttier, creamier flavor. It might separate from the water, but keep stirring or blending to emulsify.
• Add Cardamom: Much like chai, which can come in a variety of spices, you can swap out the classic spices for more herbal, floral spices like cardamom and clove. You’ll get a stronger, more herbal banana bread flavor, which works great in light roast coffees or floral matchas!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my bananas aren’t ripe?

For unripe or semi-ripe bananas, roast your bananas with the peel on in the oven on broil until the peels turn black. Let them cool partially before peeling and removing the banana for syrup. This will speed up the ripening process and make your bananas sweet!

Can I use regular sugar?

Yes, you can use regular sugar instead of brown sugar for this syrup. It won’t have that caramel molasses taste, though, so your syrup will end up cleaner and lighter tasting.

How long does this banana bread syrup last?

This syrup will last 1-2 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container or 3 months in the freezer. It’s best to use it ASAP!

Elevate Your Home Cafe

The easiest way to elevate your home cafe is by making your own simple syrups! This banana bread syrup is a great place to start, and once you’ve finished this one, you should try making a delicious blueberry syrup next! Or, if you want something more versatile, try a classic brown sugar syrup or caramel syrup as your cafe bar staples.

All my syrup recipes are perfect for coffee, matcha, tea, cocktails, and more. When you make them, please share them with me on social media (@ispillice everywhere)! Can’t wait to see what you create!