Slow Cooker Banana Jam
4 Comments Jun 30, 2021
Updated May 21, 2025
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This slow cooker banana jam is a delicious, easy way to make your own homemade jam. It’s made with just five ingredients, it’s easy to whip up this sweet and flavorful jam.
Banana jam is a rich, flavorful spread that’s perfect when you want to do something a little different with ripe bananas. It tastes like bananas foster, with a deep, caramelized sweetness and warm hints of vanilla and spice. This jam is quick to make, great for gifting, and delicious on toast, waffles, or even spooned over ice cream. If you’re looking for a cozy homemade treat that’s both unique and versatile, banana jam is a must-try.
Banana Jam Ingredients
Just pure ingredients go into this homemade jam. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
- Bananas – These should be slightly green, not brown and overripe.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract works best.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed. DO NOT USE BOTTLED LEMON JUICE.
- White and Brown sugar – The brown sugar gives the jam a caramelized flavor.
How to make Banana Jam
Here is how I make this jam in the crockpot:
Step One: Peel and mash the bananas in a large bowl until smooth—use a potato masher or fork to get the job done.
Step Two: Mix in the brown sugar, white sugar, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla. Stir well until everything is fully combined and smooth.
Step Three: Pour the mixture into your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how deep you want the flavor. Stir, then let it cool before storing—your jam will thicken as it chills.
Can I substitute a different sweetener?
I prefer using white and brown because it makes the banana jam taste more like traditional American jelly. If you choose another sweetener, add it slowly and taste before cooking.
- Maple syrup will make the banana flavor a little stronger and give you an earthier tone to your jam while making it sweeter at the same time.
- Honey is great if you’re looking for something that tastes less sugary but still has that uniquely sweet quality of bananas while being lower in calories than other options with comparable sweetness levels.
- Stevia works well too to lower the sugar content if you’re looking for a keto-friendly or diabetic option.
Is banana jam supposed to be thick?
Bananas are naturally high in pectin, which helps the jam set, but banana jam won’t be as thick as traditional fruit jams. For the best texture, use slightly green or just-ripe bananas—overripe ones can make the jam too thin. Keep in mind that the mixture will thicken more as it cools.
Ways to Enjoy
Here is how we love to enjoy this jam:
Spread on a biscuit topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Spoon over ice cream for an indulgent sundae.
Mix a teaspoon into a warm bowl of oatmeal or onto banana bread.
Add it to your peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Or even make an Elvis Sandwich with this jam!
A toasted English muffin with peanut butter and a bit of this jam makes a great snack or breakfast.
Slow Cooker Banana Jam
How to Video
Ingredients
- 4 large bananas, (Slightly green bananas. Do no use overripe brown bananas for it will make your jam thin)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, (Freshly squeezed. DO NOT USE BOTTLED LEMON JUICE)
Instructions
- Add the peeled bananas into a large bowl. Using a potato masher, mash the bananas very well. If you do not have a potato masher, use a fork to mash the bananas.
- Add the white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and lemon juice.
- Stir until blended.
- Add this banana mixture to the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 1.5 hours. You can cook this for 2 hours on high if you want a darker jam.
- Stir and serve hot over ice cream or put into jars and refrigerate or freeze. The jam will thicken as it cools.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Recipe adapted from The Crock Pot Ladies
More fruit recipes for the slow cooker
Strawberry Applesauce and Blueberry Butter are sweet, fruity spreads that are perfect for toast, biscuits, or pancakes.
Christmas Jam and Pumpkin Butter bring warm, spiced flavors that are ideal for gifting or enjoying during the holidays.
Slow Cooker Apple Butter and Blackberry Cobbler offer classic comfort—one for spreading, the other for scooping into bowls with ice cream.
Thanks Sarah for your recipe
I love the taste of bananas … can’t wait to try this recipe
Making this Recipe this weekend sounds so good
My husband is going to love this.