Grilled Banana Split Boats are a delicious, easy-to-make twist on the classic campfire banana boat. This recipe softens bananas on the grill until warm and tender, melting mini marshmallows and chocolate inside, then finishes them with the traditional banana split toppings you love.
Grilled Banana Split Boats Recipe
Ingredients
- Bananas – Choose ripe but still firm bananas. Overripe bananas will become too soft on the grill and can be difficult to handle.
- Mini marshmallows – You only need a small amount for each banana. Reserve the rest for another treat if you wish.
- Chocolate chips or mini chocolate bars – Milk chocolate melts best for this dessert, but semisweet chips or cut-up mini bars work fine if that’s what you have.
Optional Toppings
- Ice cream – Neapolitan is traditional, but vanilla, chocolate, or your favorite flavor are all good choices.
- Chocolate syrup – For drizzling over the finished split.
- Caramel sauce – Squeezable caramel is quick and convenient when ice cream starts to soften.
- Sprinkles – Adds color and crunch, especially popular with kids.
- Chopped nuts – Peanuts are classic, but chopped cashews, pecans, or walnuts also pair nicely.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make four Grilled Banana Split Boats. The total time is quick—about 15 minutes from start to finish—so this is a great dessert for warm evenings or impromptu gatherings.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium. If you use a gas grill, a medium setting is perfect; if you use charcoal, wait until the coals are glowing with a moderate heat.
- Prepare the bananas: Trim the stem of each banana. Using a sharp knife, make a lengthwise cut down the center of the banana, starting about 1/4 inch from the top and stopping about 1/4 inch from the bottom. Cut through the peel on the top and into the fruit, but avoid cutting through the bottom peel so the banana holds together.
- Fill with marshmallows and chocolate: Gently press the ends of each banana to open the slit. Divide the mini marshmallows evenly among the bananas, tucking them into the center. Add chocolate chips or small pieces of mini bars, pressing them between the marshmallows so they melt together while grilling.
- Wrap for grilling: Spray four large sheets of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Stand one stuffed banana in the center of each foil sheet and fold the foil around it, leaving a small air pocket at the top so the melted chocolate and marshmallows don’t glue to the foil.
- Grill briefly: Place the foil packets on the preheated grill for about 5 minutes. This time softens the banana and melts the fillings—keep a close eye so they don’t overcook.
- Unwrap and serve: Remove the packets from the grill and set them on a heat-resistant surface. Carefully open each packet—steam will escape. The peel will darken and the marshmallows and chocolate should be melted. Push the ends of the banana slightly to open the center and add your toppings.
- Serving options: Serve the grilled banana in its peel for a rustic presentation, or remove the peel and place the softened banana on a plate. Top with scoops of ice cream, drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce, add sprinkles and chopped nuts if desired, and serve immediately.
Tips: Use firm ripe bananas for easy handling. If you prefer, experiment with different fillings—peanut butter chips, caramel bits, or chopped fruit add variety. For larger groups, prepare multiple bananas and keep finished ones briefly in a warm oven while the rest finish grilling.
Other Easy Dessert Recipes
- Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes
- Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
- Fruit Pizza
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
- Apple Pie Dump Cake
- Grandma’s Apple Crisp
- Easy S’mores Bars
If you enjoy simple, crowd-pleasing desserts like these, sign up for weekly recipe updates on the Make Your Meals website or contact the author by email. This recipe was provided by Make Your Meals.
Grilled Banana Split Boats
Warm bananas filled with mini marshmallows and chocolate, finished with classic banana split toppings for a quick, nostalgic dessert.
Ingredients
- 4 Bananas
- 1/2 cup Mini Marshmallows
- 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips or 4 Mini Chocolate Bars
For serving, optional
- Neapolitan Ice Cream or your favorite flavor
- Chocolate Syrup
- Caramel Sauce
- Sprinkles
- Chopped Nuts
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium heat.
- Trim stems and make a lengthwise slit in each banana, keeping the bottom peel intact.
- Open the slit slightly and fill with mini marshmallows and chocolate pieces.
- Place each filled banana upright on a sprayed sheet of foil and wrap loosely with a small air pocket at the top.
- Grill the foil packets for 5 minutes until the banana softens and the fillings melt.
- Remove, unwrap carefully, and top with ice cream and sauces. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 177 • Total Fat: 4g • Carbohydrates: 39g • Protein: 2g