Slow Cooker Banana Jam

By Sarah Olson

4 Comments

Jun 30, 2021Updated Jun 20, 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, and it’s easy to whip up.

close up of banana jam in slow cooker

Recipe Highlights

Banana jam is a rich, flavorful spread that’s perfect when you want to do something a little different with extra 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.

bananas, sugar, lemon and vanilla on table

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.

mashed bananas mixed with sugars, vanilla and lemon
banana jam before cooking in slow cooker

How to make Banana Jam

  1. Mash up some bananas until smooth and dreamy.
  2. Mix in the good stuff—sugar, vanilla, and fresh lemon juice.
  3. Let your slow cooker do the magic for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
  4. Cool it down and enjoy your homemade banana jam any way you like!
banana jam done cooking in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it

Can I substitute a different sweetener?

You can swap the sugars if needed. Maple syrup adds a deeper, earthier sweetness and enhances the banana flavor. Honey gives a more subtle, less sugary taste. For a lower-sugar or keto-friendly option, stevia also works—just add any alternative sweetener slowly and taste as you go.

2 jars of banana jam with english muffin on the side

How to Store

This is not a canning recipe for bananas have a low acidity level and canning can produce botulism.

This small-batch banana jam makes 2-3 jars, depending on the size of your jars. It can be stored in a jar in the refrigerator once it’s opened for about 2 weeks. The lemon juice does a nice job of keeping the bananas from oxidizing and turning brown. 

You can also store the jam in an airtight container for up to six months in the freezer without any noticeable changes.

close up of banana jam in slow cooker with wooden spoon in it.

Slow Cooker Banana Jam

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 12
By: Sarah Olson
Banana jam is made with firm, ripe bananas, sugar, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla, creating a smooth, caramel-flavored spread that’s perfect for toast or dessert.
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How to Video

Equipment

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

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.
Add a cup of sliced strawberries before mashing for strawberry-banana jam.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Recipe adapted from The Crock Pot Ladies

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.

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.

Other recipes you may like

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. Jake says:

    5 stars
    Thanks Sarah for your recipe

    Reply
  2. Jake says:

    I love the taste of bananas … can’t wait to try this recipe

    Reply
  3. Arlene says:

    Making this Recipe this weekend sounds so good

    Reply
  4. KAREN MASET says:

    My husband is going to love this.

    Reply