Turon Bites are the little snack I wish I’d had as a kid, especially on days when my appetite seemed bigger than my shoes. Ever tried bribing a picky eater with veggies? No thanks—bring me Turon Bites! Picture this: gooey banana, crunchy wrapper, sweet finish, in one teensy, handheld roll. No sticky fingers all over your house. No giant mess to clean. Moms, dads, aunties—trust me, these are a game changer. 
Ingredients
Okay, let’s not overcomplicate this. Turon Bites should be easy-peasy. You’ll need just a few things, probably already kicking around in your kitchen:
- Ripe saba bananas or sweet plantains (if you can’t find these, regular bananas might work but… well, not my first choice)
- Lumpia wrappers (get these from any Asian store, or try this classic Filipino turon recipe for more wrapper ideas)
- Brown sugar (don’t use white unless you want to miss that caramel joy)
- Oil for frying (I go for canola because it doesn’t get all smelly)
Honestly, that’s it! Simple snacks, happy kids.
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Prepare banana filling
Here’s the real secret to knockout Turon Bites: the filling can’t just be mushy banana jammed in the middle, y’know? Pick bananas that are just ripe—not too soft and squishy, but not green or your Turon Bites will taste like disappointment, trust me. Slice them into thin strips. Usually two or three strips make up one bite-sized roll. Sprinkle each strip with brown sugar. Let them sit for a minute (gives the sugar time to melt a bit and become that sticky caramel dream). Some folks add jackfruit bits—I’m here for it, but if your kids make a face at “mystery fruit,” skip it. Smells like summer in Manila, honestly.
“I didn’t even know my kids liked bananas till I made Turon Bites—they gobbled up a whole batch before I could blink!” – Ana C.
Roll in wrappers
Straight talk—rolling takes a bit of practice. I used to over-stuff mine and got teeny banana explosions in the oil. Don’t do that, okay? Peel a lumpia wrapper, lay it flat, then put a spoonful of your banana-sugar mixture near one corner. Fold the corner over the filling, roll it up halfway, tuck the sides in like a burrito, then finish rolling. Dab a little water on the tip to seal. You should have these adorable little pillows by the end. If your wrappers tear, just patch ‘em or double wrap. Honestly, no one has time for Instagram-perfect snacks. Let them look… homemade. That’s love, right there.
Fry and serve
Here comes the crispy magic part. Heat oil (not too hot or you’ll chase the smoke alarm). Once it’s ready, drop your Turon Bites in carefully. Keep turning so they don’t scorch—takes about two to three minutes for that perfect golden crunch. Drain them on a paper towel so you’re not left with soggy, greasy snacks nobody wants.
Now for the fun! You could eat them just like that (and honestly, who can wait?), or roll them quickly in more brown sugar right out of the pan. It sticks like a dream. Great for lunchboxes or party nibblers. By the way, you can check out more creative ideas and serving tricks on my favorite classic Filipino turon recipe here.
Here’s what works for me:
- Make them small—bite-sized Turon Bites cool faster and are way cuter for kids
- Serve them hot, but not lava-hot (nobody needs burnt fingers)
- Pair with vanilla ice cream for the “five-star restaurant” vibe
- Store leftovers in a paper bag to keep ‘em crispy
My neighbor once said, “I plan an extra batch for myself. These disappear!” I mean, I agree.
Common Questions
What bananas work best for Turon Bites?
Saba bananas are the most authentic, but plantains or semi-ripe standard bananas can work if you’re desperate.
Can you bake instead of fry?
I’ve tried. They don’t get as crispy, but yes, you can. Brush with oil and bake at 400°F until browned.
How do you keep Turon Bites crispy?
Don’t pile them on top of each other right after frying—let them chill on a rack or paper towels first.
Do these freeze well?
Totally! Freeze before frying. Then fry straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute to the cook time.
Can kids make these themselves?
With some grown-up help for frying, yeah! Kids love rolling them up—sometimes a bit too much banana sneaks in, but that’s life.
Why Turon Bites Need to Be Your Next Snack Obsession
So—ready to be the hero at your next afterschool snack time? Turon Bites deliver big smiles in tiny packages. A few ordinary ingredients, a splash of oil, genuine homemade goodness. If you want to keep the fun going or check out what other foodies are doing, jump over to this Turon Recipe (Filipino Banana Lumpia w/ Caramel) – Hungry Huy. It’s full of ideas for tweaking your own Turon Bites. Not to mention, each batch you make honestly feels like that first big taste of summer. Get rolling—your kids (and maybe you, let’s be real) deserve a great treat. 
Turon Bites
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 4 pieces Ripe saba bananas or sweet plantains Regular bananas can be used, but not preferred.
- 10 pieces Lumpia wrappers Can be found at Asian stores.
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar Do not use white sugar as it doesn't caramelize.
- 1 cup Oil for frying Canola oil recommended.
Instructions
Prepare Banana Filling
- Slice the ripe saba bananas into thin strips, around two to three strips per bite-sized roll.
- Sprinkle each strip with brown sugar and let them sit for a minute to melt the sugar.
- Optional: Add jackfruit bits if desired.
Roll in Wrappers
- Peel a lumpia wrapper and lay it flat.
- Place a spoonful of the banana-sugar mixture near one corner.
- Fold the corner over the filling, roll halfway, tuck the sides in like a burrito, and finish rolling.
- Dab a little water on the tip to seal. If wrappers tear, patch them or double wrap.
Fry and Serve
- Heat oil in a frying pan, making sure it isn't too hot.
- Drop the Turon Bites carefully into the oil, turning them to avoid scorching.
- Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Drain on a paper towel and roll in more brown sugar if desired before serving.