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Fish Baked in Banana Leaves (Lolo Bati)

Name: Fish Baked in Banana Leaves (Lolo Bati)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 fish fillets (about 1 1/2 lb total), such as snapper, grouper, or trevally; 1 cup coconut cream; 2 tbsp lime juice; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp grated ginger; 1 green chili, finely chopped; 2 green onions, sliced; Salt and pepper to taste; 4 large banana leaves, softened over a flame

Fijian fish baked in banana leaves recipe (lolo bati) — flaky fish steamed with coconut cream, lime, and herbs in a fragrant parcel, pure Fijian celebration.

⏱ 15 minPrep time

🔥 30 minCook time

🍽 4Servings

🏷 Fiji KitchenCategory

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Wrapping food in banana leaves is one of the oldest cooking techniques in Fiji, used for everything from village feasts to church fundraisers. The leaves seal in steam and perfume the food with a sweet, grassy aroma that no foil or parchment can imitate.

What makes it great: this is cooking at its most forgiving — the fish steams gently in its own juices with coconut cream, lime, and aromatics, emerging silky and moist every time. The parcels are beautiful at the table, and each guest unwraps a fragrant gift.

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Step by stepInstructions

Mix the coconut cream, lime juice, garlic, ginger, chili, and half the green onions in a bowl and season the fish fillets with salt and pepper.
Cut the banana leaves into 4 large squares, about 12 inches each, and place a fillet in the center of each.
Spoon the coconut mixture over each fillet and fold the leaves into neat parcels, securing with toothpicks or kitchen string.
Steam the parcels over simmering water for 15-20 minutes, or bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flaky.
Unwrap carefully, scatter with the remaining green onions, and serve with rice or taro.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Soften the banana leaves over a low flame or in hot water so they fold without cracking. If banana leaves are hard to find, large foil packets with a piece of parchment inside work in a pinch.

Recipe details

Prep15 min

Cook30 min

Servings4

CategoryFiji Kitchen

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Fish Baked in Banana Leaves (Lolo Bati)

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

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Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

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Fish Baked in Banana Leaves (Lolo Bati)

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

Rate this recipe

Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

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