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    Home » Recipes » Filipino

    September 30, 2022

    Filipino Apple Banana Fritters (Maruya)

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    After making Polish apple fritters, I was inspired to make Filipino banana fritters with bits of apple. Filipino fritters with bananas are called maruya, and there are different versions throughout the country. Ingredients also differ from place to place. This recipe calls for glutinous rice instead of all-purpose flour because I wanted to make something with a mochi-like consistency. Deep-fried glutinous rice produces a cake that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. As it cools, the exterior also turns chewy.

    Banana fritters closeup on a gray plate

    The recipe is made with three ingredients and is easy to make! The only difficulty you might encounter is holding yourself back from devouring these apple banana fritters! 

    Before I begin, let me acknowledge that there are different versions of maruya throughout the Philippines. There are also other names based on similar ingredients and preparation. I'm here to add another variation to the mix.

    What is Maruya (Filipino Fritter)

    Maruya translates to fritter, an appropriate term for all the different maruya recipes available in the Philippines. The main components of any maruya recipe include overripe bananas and flour to make a batter fried in hot oil. In the Philippines, the most common type of banana used is saba. But I do not have saba bananas, so I used whatever bananas were available at my closest grocery store.

    Traditional Filipino fritters or maruya would consist of other fruits, such as jackfruit, in addition to bananas. In some places, you would put coconut milk to the batter to add flavor. Another popular option is sprinkling maruya with granulated sugar if you desire something sweeter. You can easily add your own unique element to Filipino-style fritter!

    How to Make Apple Banana Maruya or Fritters

    Making apple banana fritters is a quick process, and you only need one bowl. Fewer dishes!

    Peel and break apart ripe bananas and place them in a bowl. Then take your apple and peel the skin. Slice the apple into thin pieces.

    Hand holding thinly slice apple pieces

    Add the apple slices to the bowl of bananas. Mash them together.

    Bananas and sliced apples in a plastic bowl
    Mashed bananas and apples in a clear bowl

    Tip The sweeter the apples, the better. They can integrate better with the batter as their sugars break down.

    Measure glutinous rice flour and add to the bowl along with vanilla, salt, and othher optional spices. Use a silicone or wooden spatula to mix the ingredients until they become batter.

    Glutinous rice flour with apples and bananas in a bowl

    Tip The rice flour will absorb any liquid that is exposed to it. So at first, you might think you are only getting shaggy dough, but keep mixing! Eventually it will soak all the moisture and turn into a sticky batter.

    Filipino fritter batter

    Add some neutral oil to a pan and set it on medium heat. Then once hot, spoon some Filipino fritter batter into the pan. You can make the size bigger if you want. As long as you can flatten and flip it to continue cooking on the other side.

    Filipino fritter frying in oil in a pan

    Cook each side until one side is crispy, and place it on a metal colander to drain the oil. Once drained of oil, place the fritter on a plate lined with a paper towel.

    Fried Filipino fritters on a paper towel

    Let the apple banana fritters cool for about ten minutes because they will be hot! Be careful not to burn your fingers. Once cooled, serve immediately to enjoy its crispy edges and chewy interior!

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    Fried Filipino fritters on a gray plate

    Filipino Banana Apple Fritter (Maruya)

    This Filipino-style fritter is made with glutinous rice so you end up with a crispy outer skin and a chewy inside. Feel free to use this recipe as a base for your own take on maruya!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Asian, Filipino
    Servings 8 fritters

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ripe banana optional: use 2 if you want more banana flavor
    • 1 apple (gala or similar), peeled and sliced in thin pieces
    • 130 grams glutinous rice flour
    • ¼ teaspoon salt optional
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder optional
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves optional
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg powder optional
    • neutral oil, for frying

    Instructions
     

    • In a bowl, add banana and mash it. Then add thinly sliced apples.
    • Add glutinous rice and optional ingredients. Then using a spatula, mix all of the ingredients together. Keep mixing until you get a thick batter.
    • In a pan add some neutral oil and set to medium heat
    • Add large spoonfuls of the batter to the heated oil and gently flatten as it cooks. Fry first side until brown and crispy - about 1 - 2 mins. Flip to the other side and fry for 1 - 2 mins.
    • Place on a paper-towel lined plate to drain the oil.
    • Let cool for 10 minutes before eating.
    Keyword apple fritters, banana apple fritter, banana fritter, chewy fritter, filipino fritter, fritter recipe, maruya, mochi fritter
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Greg says

      October 31, 2022 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      I have made turon a few times and it was delicious. I will make these in 2 days, can't wait 😋

      Reply
      • Joanne says

        November 01, 2022 at 6:04 am

        Love turon! I made these maruya with the additional banana (2 total) and I highly recommend it! Please let me know what you think, thanks!

        Reply

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