Grilled bananas stuffed with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and almonds are wrapped in foil until warm and gooey–the perfect summer dessert that cooks in just 10 minutes.
Grilled Banana Boats
If you’ve never grilled a banana before, you’re in for a treat. These foil-wrapped grilled bananas are grilled with the skin on, stuffed with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and chopped almonds (or any toppings you wish!). After ten minutes everything turns warm, gooey, and delicious. It’s like a s’mores-meets-banana-split situation, and it’s perfect for camping trips, backyard cookouts, or any summer night when you want something sweet without turning on the oven. Plus, cleanup is a breeze and no heating up the kitchen! For more warm-weather inspiration, browse all my Summer Recipes.
Why These Grilled Bananas Work!
These sweet banana boats require minimal effort, and they cook quickly, making them a fun treat for camping and backyard BBQs. Kids love them (see more kid-friendly recipes) Below are more reasons why I love them:
- Excellent for Summer: Cook them over the campfire or on a grill for an easy dessert that you can prepare entirely outside.
- Easy Cleanup: Just toss the foil when you’re done. No dish washing required!
- Kid-Friendly and Customizable: Let everyone pick their favorite toppings to suit their tastes and dietary needs.
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free (if using DF chocolate)
For more healthy desserts to make on the grill, don’t miss my Grilled Peaches and Grilled Pineapple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the ingredients for these grilled banana boats.
- Bananas: Use firm, ripe bananas with yellow peels and a few brown spots. You don’t want them to be too soft because they won’t hold their shape when grilled.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: I use Lakanto’s sugar-free chocolate chips, but you can use regular or dairy-free chocolate.
- Mini Marshmallows melt more evenly and fit better in the banana compared to full-size, but if that’s all you have, just cut them into smaller pieces.
- Chopped Almonds for a little crunch
How to Grill Bananas
These easy grilled banana boats are done in just a few quick steps. Grilling bananas in foil helps keep them moist and prevents them from burning. See the recipe card at the bottom for printable directions.
- Slice the bananas down the center (but not all the way through) and gently open them.
- Stuff the bananas with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and almonds and wrap tightly in foil.
- Grill the banana boats on low heat for about 10 minutes.
No grill? No problem!
Bake or air fry the banana boats at 400°F for 10 minutes until soft and warmed through. You may also want to try my Baked Bananas or Air Fryer Breakfast Banana Split recipes.
Can I prep the banana boats in advance?
You can assemble the banana boats and refrigerate them up to 2 hours before grilling.
Variations
The best part about these grilled banana boats is the endless possibilities for toppings! Below are some ideas, but let me know in the comments what your favorite combination is.
- Chocolate Chips: Use any type of chip, such as milk or white chocolate.
- Make Them A La Mode: Top it with a scoop of ice cream, banana nice cream or frozen yogurt.
- Candy Bars: Chop up your favorite kind of chocolate candy, like chocolate-peanut butter cups or toffee.
- Nuts: Swap almonds for peanuts, cashews, pecans, or walnuts. If you’re allergic to nuts, omit them.
- Nut Butter: Drizzle the bananas with almond or peanut butter or Nutella.
- Fruit: Add fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries.
- Spices: Sprinkle the boats with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or cardamom.
- Make it colorful with sprinkles.
- Sauce: Drizzle with chocolate syrup, caramel, or honey.
- S’mores: Swap almonds for crumbled graham crackers for a s’mores-style banana boat.
Storage
These banana boats are best eaten straight off the grill. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them for up to 2 days and warm them in the microwave, oven, or grill. (If microwaving, remove the foil first!)
More No-Bake Summer Desserts You’ll Love
For more dessert ideas, check out these five delicious no-bake treats to satisfy your cravings!
If you make this healthy grilled banana boat recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook! And be sure to join the Skinnytaste Community to see what everyone’s cooking!
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1 banana boat
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Use a paring knife to slice a ¼- inch deep slice down the length of the banana’s curve. Make two small slices on each end of the slice, making it easier to separate the peel from the banana. Use your hands to slightly open the banana.
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Tear 2, 12-inch pieces of foil and place a banana on each piece of foil. Add a tablespoon of chocolate chips to each banana, slightly pressing some into the slice in the banana. Divide the marshmallows and chopped almonds between the two bananas.
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Bring the foil up and over the banana, crimping it closed at all the edges.
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Preheat the grill to 400° F over low heat. Place the foil wrapped bananas on the grates and close the grill lid. Cook about 10 minutes, or until the bananas are soft and the chocolate is melted. Remove from the grill and let sit for 2 minutes.
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Carefully open the foil and serve the bananas.
Last Step:
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Variations
The best part about these grilled banana boats is the endless possibilities for toppings!
- Chocolate Chips: Use any type of chip, such as milk or white chocolate. Make Them A La Mode: Top it with a scoop of ice cream, nice cream or frozen yogurt.
- Candy Bars: Chop up your favorite kind of chocolate candy, like chocolate-peanut butter cups or toffee.
- Nuts: Swap almonds for peanuts, cashews, pecans, or walnuts. If you’re allergic to nuts, omit them.
- Nut Butter: Drizzle the bananas with almond or peanut butter or Nutella.
- Fruit: Add fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries.
- Spices: Sprinkle the boats with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or cardamom.
- Make it colorful with sprinkles.
- Sauce: Drizzle with chocolate syrup or honey.
- S’mores: Swap almonds for crumbled graham crackers for a s’mores-style banana boat.
Serving: 1 banana boat, Calories: 189 kcal, Carbohydrates: 36.5 g, Protein: 3.5 g, Fat: 6.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Sodium: 3.5 mg, Fiber: 7.5 g, Sugar: 16.5 g
