Juicy Campfire Banana Splits

Camping desserts hold a special place in my heart. There’s something magical about sitting around a crackling fire after dinner, knowing there’s still one more treat to come. While s’mores might be the classic choice, I’ve found that banana splits made right over the campfire bring just as many smiles – and they’re way less messy than dealing with melting chocolate and sticky marshmallows.

I started making these on our family camping trips when the kids were little, and now they’ve become our go-to outdoor dessert. The best part? You can prep everything at home and pack it in a cooler, so there’s no fussing with ingredients when you’re trying to enjoy nature. Plus, the fire does most of the work, leaving you free to tell stories or count stars.

Want to level up your camping dessert game without any complicated steps? These campfire banana splits might just become your new favorite tradition under the stars.

What Kind of Bananas Should I Use?

For campfire banana splits, you’ll want to pick bananas that are yellow with just a few brown spots – this means they’re perfectly ripe but not too soft. Regular Cavendish bananas (the most common type found in grocery stores) are your best bet since they’re the perfect size for splitting and stuffing. If your bananas are still a bit green, let them ripen at room temperature for a few days before your camping trip. Just avoid using overripe bananas with lots of dark spots, as they’ll get too mushy when heated and might fall apart on the grill or campfire.

Options for Substitutions

This fun campfire treat is pretty simple, but you’ve still got room to play around with different ingredients:

• Bananas: You’ll definitely need bananas for this recipe – it’s the whole point! But don’t worry if they’re not perfectly ripe. Even slightly green bananas will work since they’ll soften while cooking.
• Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chips are just the start – try milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. You can also break up your favorite chocolate bars into pieces, or use peanut butter chips for a different twist.
• Mini marshmallows: Regular-sized marshmallows work fine – just cut them in half or quarters. You could also use marshmallow fluff in a pinch, though it might get a bit messy. Want to skip marshmallows? Try whipped cream once the banana boats are done cooking.
• Optional add-ins: While not in the original recipe, feel free to add crushed graham crackers, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or even crushed candy bars. Just sprinkle them on top when serving.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest mistake when making campfire banana splits is cutting too deep into the banana – you want to slice just enough to create a pocket for your fillings while keeping the bottom intact to prevent messy leaks. Another common error is placing the bananas too close to direct flames, which can quickly burn the peels and leave you with raw ingredients inside – instead, position them near hot embers where they’ll cook evenly through indirect heat. To make your banana splits even better, wrap them completely in foil and rotate them every few minutes to ensure even melting of the chocolate and marshmallows. For perfect timing, check your bananas after about 5-7 minutes – they should feel soft when gently squeezed through the foil, and the chocolate and marshmallows should be completely melted.

What to Serve With Campfire Banana Splits?

These gooey, chocolatey campfire banana splits are perfect on their own, but there are some fun ways to make them even more special! Keep some vanilla ice cream in a cooler nearby – when the bananas come off the fire, add a scoop to make them extra decadent. I like to set up a little toppings bar with crushed peanuts, sprinkles, and caramel sauce so everyone can customize their own. For drinks, hot cocoa or cold milk make perfect companions to these warm, melty treats, especially on chilly camping nights.

Storage Instructions

Enjoy Fresh: Campfire banana splits are best enjoyed right away while they’re warm and gooey! The melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows create that perfect camping treat that’s meant to be eaten on the spot. If you’ve got leftovers (which rarely happens!), they won’t maintain their magic texture once cooled.

Pack Ahead: Planning a camping trip? You can pre-pack all your ingredients separately – keep the bananas whole and unpeeled, chocolate chips in a sealed bag, and marshmallows in their original package or a zip-top bag. This makes it super easy to grab and go when you’re ready to make these treats around the campfire.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	15-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2600-2800
• Protein: 25-30 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 380-400 g

Ingredients

• 6 large bananas
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (Baker’s is a good brand)
• 10.5 oz mini marshmallows (Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows work great for melting)

Step 1: Prepare the Grill and Foil

Preheat the grill for high heat to get it ready for cooking.

While the grill is heating up, spray 4 sheets of aluminum foil—large enough to wrap the bananas—with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Slice and Prepare the Bananas

Take a banana and slice the peel from stem to bottom, slicing the banana inside lengthwise.

Alternatively, for easier handling later, you can slice the banana into smaller pieces while keeping them in the peel.

Carefully open the banana just enough to create space for the fillings.

Step 3: Stuff the Bananas

Into the slit of each banana, stuff as many chocolate chips and marshmallows as desired.

Be sure to spread them evenly throughout the banana for a delicious, gooey bite every time.

Step 4: Wrap and Grill the Bananas

Wrap each stuffed banana with its own piece of prepared aluminum foil.

Place the foil-wrapped bananas on the preheated grill or directly into the coals of a fire.

Allow them to cook for about 5 minutes, just long enough for the chocolate chips and marshmallows to melt and become oozy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully unwrap the bananas from the foil, as they will be hot.

Open the peels wide to expose the melted contents and eat with a spoon for a decadent, hassle-free dessert experience.

Enjoy your grilled banana treats!