If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to enjoy a s’more without the mess of sticky fingers, look no further than a Grilled Banana S’more Boat! This delicious dessert is made by combining graham crackers, marshmallows, bananas, and chocolate, and is perfect for any outdoor activity. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to make a grilled banana smore boat using your own ingredients so that you can have the perfect sweet treat at your next cookout or party!
I may have posted about back to school recently, but summer isn’t over yet! There is still plenty of time to fire up the barbecue.
Make a Grilled Banana S’more Boat
I remember making Banana S’More Boats at camp in the 5th grade and I had fun reliving the memory with my girls. We were having a BBQ with friends this past weekend, so the grill was already on. While Dada was grilling, we gathered our ingredients…bananas, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and vanilla wafers, and we also needed tinfoil.
Then we made a little “boat” with the tinfoil…just pull out about a foot-long piece of aluminum foil, then just roll up the sides. Place a peeled whole banana into the tinfoil boat. While many recipes suggest keeping the banana peel on, peeling it first makes it easier to eat with a spoon later, much like a banana split.
Now the banana becomes a boat! I had the girls use a plastic knife to make a slit down the banana lengthwise, but not all the way through the banana to the bottom. You want to create a pocket along the inside curve.
Next comes the fun part…putting the marshmallow and chocolate chip passengers into the banana boat! This is where you can get creative with your favorite toppings.
They’re all ready for the grill.
The grill should be preheated to medium-high. Just place the tinfoil boats with their banana boats inside directly onto the grill grates. I think it took about 10 minutes for the marshmallows to start melting and become gooey.
While the boats are grilling, coarsely crush the vanilla wafers (or whatever cookie or even cereal you may have to represent the s’more’s graham crackers). We put the vanilla wafers into a plastic bag…
…and crushed them with a rolling pin.
Remove from the grill and allow to cool slightly. Use oven mitts or tongs as the foil will be hot. Sprinkle the topping with crushed vanilla wafers or graham cracker crumbs.
But first, we need candles for our birthday visitors…another set of twins celebrating their 3rd birthday! It was the girls’ idea to put the candles in the banana boats.
We served the banana boats with ice cream. A very quick and not too sweet dessert for kids and adults. It’s a delicious banana boat experience that everyone enjoys.
Variations: Campfire and Oven Methods
You don’t always need a gas grill to make this fun dessert. Here are a few other ways to cook them:
- Campfire Classic: If you’re camping, you can place the foil packet directly into the hot coals of a campfire. Ensure you wrap the foil around the banana securely. Cook for 8-10 minutes until you have a warm banana with melty chocolate.
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bananas in foil on a baking sheet and bake for 5-6 minutes. This allows you to enjoy s’mores banana boats even on a rainy day.
Customize Your Dessert Toppings
While the classic chocolate and marshmallow combo is a winner, you can experiment with different flavors to create the ultimate banana boat recipe. Try swapping milk chocolate for dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chips. For a different twist, add butterscotch or butterscotch chips. You can even sprinkle some cinnamon before grilling or add peanut butter for a rich, nutty flavor. Whether topped with gooey marshmallows or fresh fruit, the possibilities are endless.
Grilled Banana S’More Boats-Ingredients
- 4 bananas
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white chocolate)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- About 10 vanilla wafers or graham crackers (1/2 cup crushed)
Instructions Recap: Preheat grill to medium high. Take a foot-long piece of tinfoil and roll up all four sides to form a boat. Make four of these. Unpeel the bananas and place each banana in the tinfoil. Cut a slit down each banana lengthwise, not all the way through. Place chocolate chips and marshmallows into the slit. Place the bananas in their tinfoil directly onto the grill for 10 minutes or until the marshmallows begin to melt. Meanwhile, crush the cookies. After you remove the bananas from the grill, allow to cool, then sprinkle with the crushed cookies.
Conclusion
Blogs like these are the best way to surprise your loved ones with delicious and unique treats. By following our easy steps, you can make your very own Grilled Banana S’more Boat that will surely impress everyone! All you need is a banana, some chocolate chips, a stick of butter, and a grill! We also included step by step pictures to make the process even easier! So, what are you waiting for? Get started and let us know how it turns out in the comments below!
FAQs
Q: What is a grilled banana s’more boat and how does it differ from grilled banana boats?
A: A grilled banana s’more boat is a dessert where a banana is split, filled with marshmallows and chocolate (often melty chocolate chips), wrapped in foil, and heated until gooey—combining classic s’mores flavors with the natural sweetness of banana. It differs from other grilled banana boats by specifically emphasizing s’mores ingredients (graham, chocolate, marshmallow) and the s’mores banana boat recipe technique rather than savory or fruit-only variations.
Q: How do I place banana slices and prepare the curve of each banana for the best s’mores banana boat?
A: A: To prepare, place banana on a piece of foil with the curve of each banana facing up so you can slice banana lengthwise along the top without cutting through the peel. Make a shallow slice to create a pocket, then add graham crumbs, melty chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. The curve helps hold the fillings in place and allows even melting when you grill or roast the campfire banana boat.
Q: Can I make a campfire banana boat over a real campfire or should I use a grill?
A: A: You can make a campfire banana boat directly over hot coals or on a grill. For campfire banana preparation, place foil banana packets near, but not directly in, flames to avoid burning; on a grill, use medium heat. Either method will melt the chocolate and marshmallows and create a delicious s’mores finish—just monitor closely to prevent scorching.
Q: What ingredients are essential in a s’mores banana boat recipe for the best melty chocolate and marshmallow results?
A: A: Essential ingredients are ripe bananas, melty chocolate chips or chocolate bars, mini marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces. You can add butter, cinnamon, or nuts for extra flavor. Use quality chocolate that melts well when heated inside the foil banana packet to achieve the ideal melted chocolate and marshmallow texture.
Q: Is it safe to leave foil banana packets in the campfire, and how long should I cook them?
A: A: It is safe if you wrap the banana securely in heavy-duty foil and place it on hot coals or a grill rack rather than direct flames. Cook for about 8–12 minutes depending on heat intensity—check at 8 minutes for melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows. Use tongs and heatproof gloves to remove the packet and open carefully to avoid steam burns.
