Save There was an afternoon when my nephew refused everything I offered him—until I melted Nutella into a warm tortilla with banana slices and folded it into a crispy triangle. His eyes lit up in a way that made me realize this wasn't just a snack; it was a small piece of magic that took five minutes to make. That moment taught me that sometimes the simplest ideas, the ones that feel almost too easy, turn out to be the most memorable. This wrap became our thing after that, a shortcut dessert that somehow tastes more impressive than it has any right to.
I remember making these for a late-night study session with friends in college, and suddenly we were all gathered around the stove waiting for our turn, swapping stories and burning our fingers on warm chocolate. The kitchen filled with the smell of butter and toasted tortillas, and somehow that simple dessert became the best part of the night. Everyone wanted to learn how to fold it, turning something solitary into an excuse to stand together and eat warm food at midnight.
Ingredients
- Flour tortillas: Large ones give you enough room to work without the filling breaking through, and they need to be soft enough to fold without cracking—day-old tortillas work better than ultra-fresh ones for this reason.
- Nutella: This is the star, no point in skimping on a cheap substitute since you're only using two tablespoons per wrap anyway.
- Ripe bananas: They should have a few brown spots and yield slightly to pressure; they add natural sweetness and creaminess that balances the richness of the chocolate spread.
- Chopped hazelnuts: Optional but worth it if you have them—they add a subtle crunch and texture that keeps things interesting.
- Unsalted butter: This creates that golden, crispy exterior that makes the whole thing feel fried and special.
- Powdered sugar and toppings: These are finishing touches that turn something humble into something you'd order at a café.
Instructions
- Make the cut:
- Lay your tortilla flat and cut straight from the dead center outward to the edge, like you're drawing one radius of a circle. This isn't a technical cut—just get it done.
- Section and fill:
- Picture four quarters now, and spread Nutella in the first, banana slices in the second, hazelnuts in the third, and leave the fourth plain as your anchor. Think of it like painting each section with its own ingredient.
- Fold into a triangle:
- Starting from the cut edge, fold that first Nutella-covered quarter over the bananas, then fold the whole thing over the hazelnuts, then over the plain section, creating a tight triangle. It's like folding a letter into thirds, but rounder.
- Prep the second wrap:
- Repeat the exact process with your remaining tortilla and ingredients—consistency is your friend here.
- Fry until golden:
- Melt butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until it foams slightly, then add your folded wraps. Watch for that moment when the underside turns golden and sounds crispy when you move it with your spatula, about a minute, then flip and repeat on the other side.
- Finish and serve:
- Transfer to a plate while still warm, dust generously with powdered sugar, and add whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top if you want to push it into truly indulgent territory.
Save What struck me the most was when my partner, who usually skips dessert, asked me to make these again the following week. Not because they were complicated or fancy, but because they felt like something I made just for them, even though I was really just folding a tortilla and frying it. That's when I understood the real appeal—it's not the ingredients, it's the simplicity that lets the kindness show.
Why This Works as a Dessert Hack
The beauty of this recipe is that it borrows from the world of fancy desserts without requiring you to own a stand mixer, a rolling pin, or the confidence to work with dough. Nutella and bananas are flavors that already work brilliantly together—you're not inventing something new, just arranging what you know will taste good into a warm, crispy format. The fold-and-fry method adds texture and warmth that makes it feel more like a finished dessert than a random snack, even though you started with items that were probably already in your kitchen.
Variations and Swaps
Once you get comfortable with the folding technique, you'll start seeing variations everywhere. Some people swap Nutella for peanut butter, others layer in sliced strawberries or even thin slices of fresh mango. I've tried mini marshmallows which add a surprising sweetness and slight chewiness, and they melt just enough during frying to feel like a treat without dissolving into goo. The tortilla is really just your delivery vehicle—as long as you keep the flavor balance between something creamy, something sweet, and something with a bit of texture, you'll land somewhere delicious.
Serving and Pairing Ideas
These wraps are aggressively flexible about when and how you eat them, which is part of their charm. They're perfect warm as a dessert after dinner, but I've also made them as an afternoon snack with coffee, or even brought one wrapped in foil to a picnic where it stayed warm enough to be genuinely enjoyable an hour later. A cup of coffee cuts through the richness beautifully, or if you're feeling fancy, a dessert wine like Moscato adds an unexpected elegance to something so casual. Vanilla ice cream melting on top at the end is the obvious move, but whipped cream adds an airier contrast if you want to lighten things up.
- Pair with strong coffee to balance the sweetness and cut through the richness.
- Try pairing with a light dessert wine for an unexpectedly sophisticated moment.
- Serve immediately while the tortilla is still crispy and the filling warm.
Save This isn't a recipe that changed my cooking life or taught me any fundamental technique, but it's one that changed how I think about hospitality. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can offer someone is something made quickly and with care, and that matters more than complexity. Make these for people you like, and watch their faces light up the same way my nephew's did.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I fold the tortilla for this dish?
Cut the tortilla from the center to the edge to create four quarters. Spread Nutella on one quarter, add banana slices on the next, sprinkle chopped hazelnuts if desired on the third, then fold sequentially starting from the cut edge to form a compact triangle.
- → Can I substitute Nutella with other spreads?
Yes, you can use any chocolate-hazelnut spread or even peanut butter for a different flavor twist while maintaining the creamy texture.
- → What's the best way to get a crispy outside?
Cooking the folded tortilla in melted butter over medium heat for 1–2 minutes on each side creates a golden and crispy exterior without burning.
- → Are chopped hazelnuts necessary?
No, chopped hazelnuts are optional but add a delightful crunch and complement the chocolate and banana flavors beautifully.
- → What toppings work well with this dish?
A dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream all make excellent garnishes that enhance the sweetness and texture.