If you’ve never tried baked banana with Stilton, this is your sign to give it a go. It sounds like an unlikely combination but trust us — the natural sweetness of the banana softens beautifully in the heat and mellows the bold, tangy flavour of the Stilton into something surprisingly smooth, rich and utterly delicious. It’s one of those dishes that sounds a little odd but tastes absolutely wonderful.
This recipe is as simple as it gets. With just four ingredients and ready in under 10 minutes, it’s the kind of thing you can throw together when you want something a little different without any effort at all. The method is brilliantly clever too — a quick blast in the microwave melts the Stilton into the cream, then a couple of minutes under the grill crisps everything up to give you that irresistible golden topping.
Serve it warm with crusty bread as a quick starter, an unusual side dish, or even a light snack when you’re feeling adventurous. It serves one, making it a perfect solo treat, but the recipe scales up easily if you want to impress guests with something completely out of the ordinary.
Baked Bananas & Stilton
Ingredients
- 1 Banana
- Stilton- 5-6 thin slices
- Single Cream
- Parsley
Instructions
- Slice the banana thinly into even slices and arrange them to cover the base of a small single serve oven dish, slightly overlapping each slice
- Place the thin slices of Stilton over the banana
- Pour enough single cream to cover the banana and level with the Stilton
- Cling film and place in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until the Stilton is melted (be careful when removing the cling film, as the steam can scald)
- Then place the dish on a baking tray under the grill for 2–3 mins until cheese is crisp
- Sprinkle with parsley & serve
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients — banana, Stilton, single cream and parsley is all you need
- Ready in under 10 minutes — microwave and grill method means this comes together incredibly quickly
- Perfect for entertaining — it’s a real conversation starter and guests will be intrigued before they’ve even tasted it
- Budget friendly — a single banana and a few slices of Stilton make an impressive dish without spending much at all
- Easily scaled up — simply multiply the ingredients to serve as many people as you like
Tips For The Best Results
- Slice the banana evenly — try to keep your slices a similar thickness so they heat through consistently and create an even base for the Stilton and cream
- Slightly overlap the banana slices — this gives you a solid, covered base so the cream doesn’t sink through to the bottom of the dish
- Don’t skip the microwave step — this is what gently starts melting the Stilton into the cream before the grill finishes it off; doing it all under the grill would take longer and risk burning the top before the cheese has melted through
- Be careful removing the cling film — the steam that builds up inside can scald, so peel it back slowly and away from you
- Watch it closely under the grill — it only needs 2 to 3 minutes and grills vary, so keep an eye on it to avoid burning
- Serve immediately — this is best eaten straight away while the cheese is still melted and the top is crisp and golden
Variations
- Try it with Gorgonzola — if you can’t get Stilton or prefer a milder blue cheese, Gorgonzola works beautifully and gives a slightly creamier result
- Add a drizzle of honey — a tiny drizzle of runny honey over the top just before serving enhances the sweetness of the banana and adds a lovely contrast
- Use double cream for a richer result — swapping single cream for double cream gives a thicker, more indulgent sauce
- Add a pinch of black pepper — a little freshly ground black pepper on top before grilling adds a subtle warmth that works really well with the Stilton
- Serve on toast instead of crusty bread — pop the finished dish on a slice of toasted sourdough for a more substantial snack or light lunch
- Try with walnuts — a few roughly chopped walnuts scattered over the top before grilling add a lovely crunch and are a classic pairing with Stilton
Frequently Asked Questions
Does banana really work with Stilton?
It absolutely does, and it’s one of those combinations that surprises people every time. The key is that baking the banana softens and sweetens it, which takes the edge off the bold, salty tang of the Stilton. The single cream brings everything together into a smooth, rich sauce that makes the whole dish feel cohesive rather than odd. If you enjoy the classic combination of cheese and chutney or cheese and grapes, you’ll find this follows the same principle of sweet and savoury working in harmony.
Can I make this without a microwave?
Yes, you can skip the microwave step and simply place the dish straight under the grill, but you’ll need to allow a little longer — around 5 to 6 minutes — to give the Stilton time to melt through before the top crisps up. Keep a close eye on it and check regularly to make sure the top doesn’t burn before the cheese has fully melted into the cream. A low grill setting works better if you’re skipping the microwave step.
What should I serve with Baked Bananas and Stilton?
Crusty bread or warm baguette slices are the classic accompaniment, perfect for scooping up the creamy melted Stilton and banana. It also works well alongside a simple green salad if you’re serving it as a light lunch. For a dinner party starter, serve it in individual oven dishes with a few dressed salad leaves on the side and some thinly sliced sourdough toast for a really elegant, unusual first course that will get people talking.
