About this recipe

Turon is a beloved Filipino street snack and merienda treat — ripe saba bananas and jackfruit strips wrapped in a crispy lumpia wrapper, rolled in brown sugar, and pan-fried until deeply golden and caramelized. The result is a satisfying crunch that gives way to a warm, sweet, and fragrant filling. Simple to make and impossible to stop eating, this is the kind of recipe that disappears the moment it hits the plate.

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare your filling: Peel the saba bananas and halve them lengthwise. Drain the canned jackfruit and cut into thin strips. Toss both together gently with 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar and a pinch of sea salt. Set aside to macerate for 5 minutes — this helps the sugar adhere and caramelize beautifully during frying.

2. 2

   Set up your wrapping station: Lay a lumpia wrapper flat on a clean surface in a diamond orientation. Spread about 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a thin, even layer on a plate. Place one saba banana half and a few jackfruit strips near the bottom third of the wrapper. Fold the bottom edge up over the filling, fold in the sides, then roll tightly upward. Dab the top edge with a little water to seal. Roll the finished turon in the brown sugar plate to coat all sides. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.

3. 3

   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over ^[medium heat] until shimmering — about ![350°F]. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place the turon seam-side down in the hot oil. Fry for 3–4 minutes per side, turning once, until deeply golden brown and the sugar coating has caramelized into a glossy, crackly shell. Sprinkle a little extra brown sugar directly into the oil during the last minute of frying to encourage extra caramelization on the wrappers.

4. 4

   Transfer the fried turon to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain briefly. Let them rest for 2–3 minutes before serving — the caramel shell will firm up into a satisfying crunch as they cool slightly. Serve warm as a snack or merienda. They are best eaten fresh but can be reheated in a skillet or air fryer to restore crispiness.