"We made this when we were camping last summer and all of the kids begged to do it again this year. Ridiculously easy!

🍌 Campfire Banana Boats – The Ridiculously Easy Treat Kids (and Adults!) Will Beg For Again

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🏕️ Introduction: A Campfire Favorite

Camping is about adventure, laughter, fresh air, and most importantly — unforgettable food. And nothing says "summer camping memory" quite like sitting around the campfire after a long day of hiking or swimming, roasting something sweet and melty over the glowing coals. While s'mores are the most iconic treat, there's another legendary dessert that’s just as beloved by those who’ve discovered it — Campfire Banana Boats.

This treat is simple to make, ridiculously delicious, and endlessly customizable. Plus, it’s a great way to involve kids in the cooking process — they’ll love stuffing the bananas with their favorite toppings and watching the magic happen in the fire.

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🍴 What Is a Banana Boat?

A Banana Boat is a warm, gooey dessert made by slitting a banana (peel on), stuffing it with toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut butter, or fruit, wrapping it in foil, and cooking it in the campfire coals or grill until everything melts into a luscious, spoonable treat.

Think of it as a cross between a banana split and a s’more — warm banana instead of cold ice cream, melty chocolate, soft marshmallows, and any toppings your heart desires.

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🛒 Ingredients: The Essentials and Add-Ons

🔹 Basic Ingredients (for 1 Banana Boat):

• 1 ripe but firm banana

• Mini marshmallows (handful)

• Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (1–2 tbsp)

• Aluminum foil (for wrapping)

🔹 Fun and Delicious Topping Ideas:

• Crushed graham crackers or cookies

• Sliced strawberries or raspberries

• Peanut butter or almond butter

• Caramel sauce

• Butterscotch chips

• Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, peanuts)

• Shredded coconut

• Mini peanut butter cups or M&Ms

• Cinnamon and sugar

• Crumbled brownies or pound cake

👉 Pro Tip: Let each person customize their own Banana Boat for a DIY dessert bar.

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🛠️ Equipment Needed

• Campfire with hot coals or a grill

• Long tongs or heat-safe gloves

• Aluminum foil (heavy-duty recommended)

• Sharp knife

• Spoon

• Plate or bowl for serving

• Optional: Permanent marker to label the foil-wrapped boats

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🔥 How to Make Campfire Banana Boats – Step-by-Step

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🥄 Step 1: Prep the Banana

• Take a ripe banana (yellow, not overly spotted) and make a lengthwise slit along the inside curve — from the top to the bottom — making sure not to cut all the way through. You want to create a pocket.

• Gently open the banana slightly to make room for the fillings. The peel acts like a boat and holds everything together.

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🍫 Step 2: Add the Fillings

• Start with a few chocolate chips, then layer in mini marshmallows, maybe a dollop of peanut butter, and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers.

• The key is balance — not too full, or it will be messy. But messy is part of the fun, right?

Let the kids go wild with toppings! Encourage them to name their creations — like the "Choco-Monster Banana Boat" or the "Tropical Coconut Delight."

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🧻 Step 3: Wrap It Up

• Tear off a square of heavy-duty aluminum foil, big enough to wrap your banana completely.

• Wrap the banana tightly in the foil, sealing it closed.

• Label it with a marker if you’re making multiples for a group.

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🔥 Step 4: Cook in the Campfire or Grill

• Place the foil-wrapped banana boat directly onto hot coals, not in open flames.

• Alternatively, place it on a hot grill or BBQ grate.

✅ Cook for about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs.

What you're aiming for:

• The banana softens and heats through

• Chocolate and marshmallows melt into gooey goodness

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🥄 Step 5: Carefully Unwrap and Enjoy

• Use tongs or gloves to remove the banana boat from the fire.

• Let it cool for a minute or two, then carefully open the foil — hot steam will escape!

• Serve it straight from the peel with a spoon, or scoop into a bowl and top with a drizzle of caramel or whipped cream if you're feeling fancy.

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🧑‍🍳 Cooking Banana Boats Without a Campfire

You don’t need to be deep in the woods to enjoy this recipe.

🔥 In the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)

• Place wrapped bananas on a baking sheet

• Bake for 10–12 minutes

🔥 On the Grill:

• Medium heat grill, foil-wrapped bananas go straight onto the grates

• Cook 8–10 minutes, turning halfway

Perfect for backyard camping, BBQ nights, or even a movie night dessert.

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🧡 Why This Recipe Works So Well for Kids (and Parents)

• Interactive – Kids love choosing and assembling their toppings.

• Simple – No complicated steps or ingredients.

• Safe – No sharp tools or long cooking times (just supervise near the fire).

• Delicious – It’s like a sweet edible science experiment.

• Memorable – Creates lasting family memories around the campfire.

One mom said:

“We made this when we were camping last summer and all of the kids begged to do it again this year. It was their favorite part of the trip, hands down.”

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🍦 Creative Twists and Variations

1. The S’more Banana Boat

• Marshmallows + chocolate chips + graham cracker crumbs

2. PB&J Banana Boat

• Peanut butter + strawberry jam + chocolate chips

3. Tropical Banana Boat

• Pineapple chunks + coconut flakes + white chocolate

4. Nutty Banana Boat

• Almond butter + chopped almonds + honey

5. Birthday Boat

• Mini cake bites + sprinkles + marshmallows

Want to go wild? Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top after baking. You’re welcome.

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🍌 Fun Campfire Banana Boat Bar Setup

If you’re camping with a group or hosting a backyard party, set up a “Banana Boat Bar”:

Station	Items
Base	Bananas, aluminum foil
Chocolate	Chips, bars, Nutella, white chocolate
Fruit	Strawberries, blueberries, pineapple
Crunchy	Graham crackers, granola, cookies
Spreads	Peanut butter, almond butter, caramel
Toppings	Marshmallows, sprinkles, cinnamon

Let guests build their own custom boats and name them. Kids LOVE this part!

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📦 Storage and Leftovers

Banana Boats are best fresh off the fire, but if you have leftovers:

• Scoop contents into a container

• Refrigerate and eat cold or reheat gently in microwave

• Serve over ice cream or pancakes the next morning!

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📊 Nutrition (Varies Widely By Toppings)

Base banana boat (banana, chocolate chips, marshmallows):

• Calories: ~200–250

• Carbs: 35g

• Fat: 6g

• Protein: 2g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 20g

Health tip: You can easily make these lower sugar by using dark chocolate, fruit, or omitting marshmallows.

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Campfire Banana Boats are a ridiculously easy, ridiculously fun dessert that takes almost no prep and delivers big smiles. They’re nostalgic, customizable, and the perfect way to end a summer evening outdoors — whether you're camping in the woods, in your backyard, or just creating memories under the stars.

It’s not just about the melted chocolate and warm banana. It’s about laughing with your kids as they create their own desserts. It’s about sitting by the fire and telling stories while waiting for the foil packets to do their magic. It’s about doing something simple and silly that ends in sticky fingers, chocolate-smudged cheeks, and full hearts.

Trust us: if you make them once, your kids — and maybe even you — will beg to do it again every summer.