International Cuisine

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Journey by Country
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • My Cookbook
  • Exploring the world through food
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Journey by Country
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • My Cookbook
  • Exploring the world through food
  • Connect with us

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Me
      • Privacy Policy
    • Journey by Country
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • My Cookbook
    • Exploring the world through food
  • Connect with us

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Faikakai Malimali (Tongan Banana Dumplings)

    October 13, 2022 By Darlene at International Cuisine

    237 shares
    • Facebook72
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe  ↓ Print Recipe  ❒

    Faikakai malimali are traditional Tongan banana dumplings that are served with a sweet coconut syrup. A lovely way to end our meal from the Kingdom of Tonga.

    A plate full of Tongan banana dumplings served with a caramel coconut sauce.

    Faikakai is the dumpling and they come all different ways in Tongan cooking. Here are a few of the other names faikakai mei (pounded breadfruit) , faikakai ngou (combination of taro leaves) , faikakai manioke tama (cassava bread) and faikakai topai (basic version of this dessert). I chose the faikakai malimali which is made with ripe bananas. As you can see there are many delicious substitutes.

    These dumplings are made with a fairly dry dough because they are boiled in a large pot of water over a medium heat. You use a combination of flour, baking powder, a ripe mashed banana, a bit of vanilla , and sugar.

    Once the dumplings are cooked in the boiling water, they are put in a heavy saucepan with some butter and shredded coconut over a gentle heat. The tablespoon-sized balls are coated with the butter and coconut.

    To make the sauce you should use a thick coconut cream as opposed to coconut milk and sugar. The sugar is first dissolved until the the sugar boils over low heat. Once the sugar is ready, you add in the thick coconut cream for a delicious dipping sauce for the dumplings. It is like a coconut caramel.

    The Tongan people are known for their amazing hospitality and will always make an abundance of food. It is their culture. Have you ever been to the friendly islands?

    Looking for more Tongan recipes to enjoy with your Faikakai Malimali (Tongan Banana Dumplings)?

    Here are some more Tongan cuisine recipes

    Lo’I Feke (Octopus in Cream Sauce)

    Ota Ika (Raw fish Salad)

    ‘Otai (Tongan Watermelon Drink Recipe)

    What is your favorite Tongan food?

    If you would like to learn more about the bucolic country of Tonga, its traditions, food and culture be sure to check out “Our Journey to Tonga” there you will also find more authentic and ancestral recipes like this popular raw fish salad. 

    Craving even more? Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing, it’s free. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

    A plate full of Tongan banana dumplings served with a caramel coconut sauce.
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Faikakai Malimali (Tongan Banana Dumplings)

    A delicious dessert recipe from Tonga with a coconut caramel sauce for dipping
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Tongan
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 539kcal
    Author Darlene at International Cuisine

    Ingredients

    For the Coconut syrup

    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1/2 cup coconut cream

    For the Dumplings

    • 1 cup flour
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1 cup shredded coconut divided
    • 1 banana mashed
    • 1 Tbsp sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1/4 cup water +/-
    • 3 Tbsp butter

    Instructions

    For the Coconut Syrup

    • Put the sugar in a small saucepan over very low heat and dissolve slowly.
    • Just before the sugar reaches the boiling point, add in the thick coconut cream.
    • Mix well until the sauce is nice and thick. Set Aside

    For the Dumplings

    • Bring a large pot of water to boil
    • While the water is heating up, in a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 1/2 of the shredded coconut, mashed banana, sugar and vanilla . Mix all ingredients together.
    • Start adding in the water until you get a dry dough to form.
    • Reduce heat of the boiling water to a simmer
    • Roll into tablespoon sized balls and place them in the simmering water.
    • Boil the dumplings gently for about 10-15 minutes until they are cooked through. Drain using a slotted spoon and set aside.
    • Melt the butter in a large heavy. bottom skillet over low heat.
    • Add the other half of the shredded coconut into the butter and cook until it is a golden brown.
    • Put the dumplings into the pan and coat them as you turn them.
    • Remove and serve them with the coconut syrup, Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg

    More Recipes

    • A colorful bowl of Turkmenistan Fried Eggplant Salad
      Turkmenistan Fried Eggplant Salad Recipe
    • Slices of Ichlekli- a thin meat pie.
      Ichlekli Recipe - The National Dish of Turkmenistan
    • a plateful of Chak-chak fried dough pieces smothered in a honey syrup
      Chak-Chak Honey Cake Recipe
    • a plate full of Turkish stuffed mussels served with a slice of lemon.
      Turkish Stuffed Mussels Recipe (Midye Dolma)
    237 shares
    • Facebook72
    • Twitter

    Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes, Tonga

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Welcome to Internationalcuisine.com! thank you for stopping by!

    I'm thrilled to share my passion for food, travel, and cultural exploration with you. My name is Darlene Longacre and I am a culinary enthusiast turned global nomad.

    Imagine a journey where your taste buds can travel the world, experiencing new flavors and aromas of every country on earth.

    More about me →


    My Mission

    At Internationalcuisine.com, my mission is to bring the world to your kitchen and inspire a global culinary adventure. I believe that food is a powerful bridge that connects people, cultures, and traditions. My mission is to celebrate this unity and diversity by sharing authentic recipes, engaging stories, and immersive travel experiences.

    Come join the journey, explore new countries and embark on a fantastic culinary adventure.

    Join the Journey It's Free!

    Sign up for my culinary, travel and cultural adventure delivered right to your inbox so you won't miss a thing.

    Categories

    Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress

    Archives

    • November 2024
    • April 2024
    • August 2023
    • June 2023
    • May 2023
    • October 2022
    • May 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • September 2021
    • May 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • March 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org

    Featured Posts

    A colorful bowl of Turkmenistan Fried Eggplant Salad

    Turkmenistan Fried Eggplant Salad Recipe

    Slices of Ichlekli- a thin meat pie.

    Ichlekli Recipe - The National Dish of Turkmenistan

    a plateful of Chak-chak fried dough pieces smothered in a honey syrup

    Chak-Chak Honey Cake Recipe

    Get to know Darlene at International Cuisine

    Darlene holding a dish made with Mama Naz and her daughter in law, in Arusha, Tanzania

    Welcome to International Cuisine

    Hello my name is Darlene and thank you for stopping by!

    I am cooking a meal from every country in the world. I do extensive research and choose a menu that I feel best represents the country and their cuisine. Of course that also includes the authentic, delicious recipes. Simply click on the link or the photo in the journey by country posts to get them. I also share important information about the country as well.

    I love to cook, photograph, and especially travel. I hope you enjoy this culinary and cultural adventure around the world. Be sure to join the journey so you don't miss a thing. It's free!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2025 InternationalCuisine.com All rights Reserved

    • 72
    237 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.