Who doesn’t like this Kerala Nendran banana chips, with its vibrant yellow colour looks like gold coins and the coconut oil used for frying is the secret ingredient which lends the most essential aroma to the Nendran chips recipe. It is a traditional snack of Kerala and holds an important place in ‘Onam Sadhya‘ and even ‘Vishu recipes’. A variant of banana called ‘Nendran’ variety is used to prepare these chips and it is slightly yellowish colour and sweet in taste by nature. Both the raw and ripe Nendran banana is used to prepare this recipe. This is also known as ‘Nendrangai’ in Tamil and ‘Ethakka’ in Malayalam and commonly called as Nendran chips in Tamilnadu and Ethakka upperi in Kerala. I have shared two methods of preparing these chips, you can go ahead with whichever is comfortable.

Kerala Nendran Banana Chips

Nendran Chips Recipe | Kerala Nendran Banana Chips
Equipment
- Stovetop
- Slicer
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250 ML, 1 tsp = 5 ML
- 3 Nendran Banana
- ¾ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Water
- Coconut oil To deep fry
Instructions
Method 1
- First, get ready with the ingredients. In a bowl add turmeric powder, salt and water. Mix it well, the liquid should not be thick, little runny. Trim the edges of the banana and peel the skin completely.
- Immerse the banana in a bowl of water to prevent de-colouration, until slicing. Now start slicing the banana's using a slicer. The slices should not be too thick nor very thin, just medium thickness. Now transfer the slices to bowl and add 1 tsp of turmeric - saltwater.
- Mix well so the banana slices get evenly coated. Spread the banana slices in kitchen towel and pat dry 15 minutes. There should be no moisture. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed kadai, just drop a slice in the oil, if it raises immediately, the oil temperature is perfect. Drop the slices in the oil gently one by one. Don't overcrowd, fry in batches only. Fry well on both sides, once the 'shhh' sounds stops, take the chips out of the oil and drain it in kitchen towel. Also check for salt in the first batch itself, if required adjust salt level.
Method 2
- Mix turmeric powder, salt and water in a bowl. I used adjustable wooden slicer for this method. Slice the banana as per thickness preferred.
- Heat oil in a kadai / pan and drop the banana slices. Add 1 tsp of turmeric - saltwater. At first, the oil splutters and gives a sizzling sound, don't get panic. Also, stand away from oil as it splutters. Flip it on both sides and fry it well. Once the sizzling sound subsides, and the chips turn crisp take out from the oil. Allow it to cool and store it in an airtight container.Enjoy these nendran chips as a tea time snack.
Notes
Tips for Kerala Nendran Banana Chips
1. Use mature and raw nendran banana, not the ripe one.2. Always slice the banana just before preparation, else it changes in colour.
3. To avoid de-colouration of the banana immerse in a bowl of water till use.
4. Always peel the skin completely, else the chips get dark coloured edges.
5. Don't slice the banana too thin nor too thick, just medium-sized. I used an adjustable wooden slicer.
6. A knife can also be used to slice the banana, it gives even thickness.
7. I recommend frying the chips in coconut oil as it lends a nice aroma to the nendran chips recipe.
8. Coconut oil can be replaced with other oils also, but add at least 2 tbsp of coconut oil.
9. Method 2 gives even colouring to the chips than Method 1.
10. You can even slice the chips directly in the oil itself, but it needs little experience in chips making.
11. Don't reuse the oil as it changes in colour and taste salty.
12. Always cool down and then store in a dry and airtight container.
13. The shelf life of these kerala nendran chips is 15 to 20 days under hygienic conditions.

Nendran Chips Recipe
Method for Nendran Chips Recipe
1. First, get ready with the ingredients. In a bowl add turmeric powder, salt, and water. Mix it well, the liquid should not be thick, little runny. Trim the edges of the banana and peel the skin completely.
2. Immerse the banana in a bowl of water to prevent de-colouration, until slicing. Now start slicing the banana’s using a slicer. The slices should not be too thick nor very thin, just medium thickness. Now transfer the slices to bowl and add 1 tsp of turmeric – saltwater.
3. Mix well so the banana slices get evenly coated. Spread the banana slices in kitchen towel and pat dry 15 minutes. There should be no moisture. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed kadai, just drop a slice in the oil, if it raises immediately, the oil temperature is perfect. Drop the slices in the oil gently one by one. Don’t overcrowd, fry in batches only. Fry well on both sides, once the ‘shhh’ sounds stops, take the chips out of the oil and drain it in kitchen towel. Also check for salt in the first batch itself, if required adjust salt level.
1. Mix turmeric powder, salt, and water in a bowl. I used an adjustable wooden slicer for this method. Slice the banana as per thickness preferred.
2. Heat oil in a kadai / pan and drop the banana slices. Add 1 tsp of turmeric – saltwater. At first, the oil splutters and gives a sizzling sound, don’t get panic. Also, stand away from oil as it splutters. Flip it on both sides and fry it well. Once the sizzling sound subsides, and the chips turn crisp take out from the oil. Allow it to cool and store it in an airtight container.
Enjoy these nendran chips as a tea time snack.

Nendran Chips Recipe
wow.. super like.. You made it just awesome!!Kudos Priya 🙂
Your banana chips so nice and crispy. Lovely share, Priya.
I tried your recipe but the chips tend out to be soft, it wasn’t crispy and I don’t know where did I go wrong FYI,.. I tried method2. Any suggestions or tips please let me know. Thanks.
Hi Sushri, You have gone wrong in the thickness or oil temperature. Otherwise, try method 1, even beginners can try that method, it comes out perfectly without fail.