Save There's something about the smell of butter hitting a hot pan that makes you feel like you're doing something indulgent, even when it's just a weeknight. The first time I made these Nutella banana wraps, I was looking for something that felt fancy but could come together while the kettle boiled for tea. What started as a quick idea—layering chocolate-hazelnut spread and fruit on a tortilla—became the kind of dessert I'd make again and again, that somehow tastes better when it's still warm and crispy at the edges.
I made these for my sister one afternoon when she stopped by unexpectedly, and watching her eyes light up when she bit into the warm, gooey center reminded me that the best recipes aren't always the complicated ones. She asked for the method three times before leaving, which felt like the highest compliment.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas (2 large): Look for ones that are soft and pliable straight from the package—they fold much more willingly than older ones that have dried out.
- Nutella (4 tbsp): The chocolate-hazelnut spread is the whole point here, so don't skimp on quality, though any chocolate-hazelnut spread will do if that's what you have.
- Ripe bananas (2 medium, sliced): They need to be soft enough to yield slightly to your finger but not brown-spotted yet, so they hold their shape when you fold.
- Chopped hazelnuts (2 tbsp, optional): The crunch matters more than you'd think, adding texture that makes the whole thing feel intentional.
- Unsalted butter (1 tbsp): Clarified or regular, whatever you have—it's just there to get the tortilla golden and crispy.
- Powdered sugar and whipped cream (for serving): These feel like finishing touches, but they turn a quick snack into something that feels like an occasion.
Instructions
- Make the cut:
- Lay your tortilla flat and slice from the center straight out to the edge, like you're drawing a radius on a circle. It sounds technical, but it's just one confident cut—take your time so it goes cleanly.
- Divide your space:
- Picture the tortilla as four quarters radiating from that cut. This mental grid keeps you from getting confused and makes sure each wrap gets the right amount of everything.
- Layer strategically:
- In the first quarter, spread 2 tablespoons of Nutella. In the next, layer your banana slices so they're somewhat protected. Add hazelnuts to the third quarter if you're using them, and leave the last one empty or add a final Nutella drizzle.
- Fold into a triangle:
- Starting at the cut edge, fold the Nutella quarter over the bananas, then over the hazelnuts, then over the plain section, creating a compact triangle. It takes gentleness so the tortilla doesn't tear, but firmness so everything stays together.
- Repeat with the second wrap:
- Make the same cut, divide, layer, and fold with your remaining tortilla and ingredients. Now you're ready for the pan.
- Pan-fry until golden:
- Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once it's foaming, place your folded wraps seam-side down and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until the outside is golden brown and the edges look crispy. You'll smell when they're ready—that toasted butter aroma is your cue.
- Serve warm:
- Slide them onto a plate, dust generously with powdered sugar, and top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if the mood strikes. The warm tortilla melts the ice cream slightly, which is sort of the whole point.
Save The moment I realized this had become more than just a quick dessert was when my nephew asked to help make them, and suddenly it was our thing—his job was slicing the bananas, mine was the folding, and we'd both crowd around the pan to watch them turn golden. Food that brings people to the kitchen without asking is food worth making again.
Building Your Own Variations
Once you understand the architecture of this wrap, it becomes a canvas. I've tried peanut butter in place of Nutella on mornings when I was running late, and it changed nothing except maybe made me feel slightly less fancy. Strawberries work wonderfully if you slice them thin so they don't make the fold too bulky, and mini marshmallows add a gooey sweetness that's almost ridiculous in the best way.
The Temperature Game
Medium heat is your friend here because going higher risks burning the outside before the inside warms through and the Nutella melts. I learned this after making the pan too hot and getting wraps that were charred on the outside and still cold in the center—a frustrating contradiction. The slower approach means everything heats evenly and the banana releases its natural sweetness without any bitterness creeping in.
When to Serve and How to Store
These are best eaten immediately while the tortilla still has that crispy exterior and the Nutella is warm enough to be properly gooey. If you somehow have leftovers, they'll keep wrapped in foil at room temperature for a few hours, though reheating them on the stove brings back some of that just-made magic. The flavor only improves when paired with something warm—coffee, tea, hot chocolate—which gives you permission to make them whenever you need a moment that feels a little ceremonial.
- Serve straight from the pan while the tortilla is still warm and the chocolate is melted.
- A dusting of powdered sugar goes on after cooking, not before, so it sticks to the butter.
- If the fold seems loose, a toothpick through the center keeps everything secure in the pan.
Save This is the kind of recipe that doesn't ask much of you but rewards small effort with genuine pleasure. Keep the ingredients stocked and you've got dessert whenever the mood strikes.
Cooking Guide
- → How do you fold the tortilla for this dish?
Make a single cut from the center to the edge, divide the tortilla into four quarters, spread fillings on three quarters, then fold each quarter over the next to form a compact triangle.
- → Can I use alternatives to Nutella?
Yes, other chocolate-hazelnut spreads or chocolate spreads work well for similar flavor and texture.
- → What cooking method ensures a crispy exterior?
Pan-frying the folded tortilla in butter over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side creates a golden, crispy crust.
- → Are there suggested toppings to enhance flavor?
Powdered sugar, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream complement the warm folded tortilla beautifully.
- → Can this be customized with other ingredients?
Yes, try adding peanut butter, strawberries, or mini marshmallows for varied flavors and textures.