Campfire Banana Boats: A Sweet and Fun Dessert for the Whole Family

After a day of exploring the great outdoors, nothing beats sitting around the campfire with your loved ones, sharing stories and enjoying some delicious treats. If you’re looking for a campfire dessert that’s easy to make, fun to assemble, and absolutely irresistible, then look no further than Campfire Banana Boats!

This delightful treat is the perfect combination of sweet, chocolatey, and gooey, making it an instant hit with kids and adults alike. And the best part? You can customize it to suit everyone’s tastes—whether you like it classic with just chocolate and marshmallows, or you prefer to get a little adventurous with extra toppings. Ready to dive into this fun and interactive campfire dessert? Let’s get started!

Why Campfire Banana Boats?

Campfire Banana Boats are the ultimate camping dessert for several reasons:

• Easy to Make: No fancy equipment required—just a campfire and some simple ingredients.
• Customizable: Everyone can personalize their banana boat with their favorite toppings.
• Interactive: Kids love being involved in the preparation process, making it a great family activity.
• Delicious: The bananas soften and caramelize as they cook, creating a sweet and gooey base for all the yummy toppings.

If you love s’mores, then you’re going to love these! They take the flavors of classic s’mores—chocolate, marshmallows, and bananas—and elevate them into a fun and easy-to-make campfire dessert.

Ingredients for Campfire Banana Boats

The beauty of banana boats is that you can make them with whatever toppings you love! But here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas (one per person)
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate chips (milk or dark, depending on preference)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional: walnuts, almonds, or pecans)
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes (optional, for a tropical twist)
• A pinch of sea salt (optional, to balance sweetness)
• Aluminum foil (for wrapping)

How to Make Campfire Banana Boats

Step 1: Prepare the Bananas

Start by slicing the bananas lengthwise, but don’t cut all the way through—leave the peel intact on the bottom to hold everything together. Use a spoon or your fingers to gently scoop out a little bit of the banana flesh, creating a “boat” shape. The banana itself will act as the perfect vessel for all your sweet fillings.

Step 2: Add Your Toppings

Here comes the fun part—filling your banana boats! Add a generous handful of mini marshmallows and chocolate chips into the banana boat’s center. If you want to get creative, drizzle some peanut butter on top, or sprinkle in some chopped nuts for a bit of crunch. Coconut flakes are another great addition for a sweet, tropical vibe.

You can get as creative as you like with your toppings! Some other ideas include:

• Caramel sauce
• Nutella
• M&M’s
• Mini marshmallow fluff
• Chopped fruit (strawberries, raspberries, or cherries)
• Cinnamon or nutmeg for extra spice

Step 3: Wrap the Banana Boats

Once the bananas are filled with your chosen toppings, wrap them loosely in aluminum foil. The foil will help keep all the gooey goodness inside while allowing the bananas to soften and cook over the campfire. You’ll want to make sure the foil is tightly wrapped but not so tight that the heat can’t circulate around the boat.

Step 4: Cook the Banana Boats Over the Campfire

Now it’s time to cook your banana boats! Place the foil-wrapped bananas directly on the hot coals of your campfire or on a grill grate. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure the bananas soften evenly and the marshmallows and chocolate melt to gooey perfection. The cooking time can vary depending on how hot your fire is, so keep an eye on them!

You’ll know they’re ready when the banana peel turns dark and the fillings inside start to melt and ooze out.

Step 5: Unwrap and Enjoy!

Carefully remove the foil-wrapped banana boats from the fire (use tongs or a heat-resistant glove to avoid burns). Open the foil carefully and let the banana boats cool for a minute before serving.

At this point, you’ll have a warm, gooey, and absolutely irresistible dessert that’s ready to enjoy. You can eat it straight from the peel, or use a spoon to scoop out the delicious filling. Add a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a super indulgent treat!

Tips for Perfect Campfire Banana Boats

• Choose Ripe but Firm Bananas: You want ripe bananas, but not overripe. The banana should still hold its shape when you scoop out the middle, but be soft enough to cook through.
• Get Creative with Toppings: The possibilities are endless! Try mixing and matching different chocolate bars (milk, dark, or even white chocolate), marshmallows, fruits, or candy. Make it your own!
• Watch the Cooking Time: Keep an eye on your banana boats while they cook. They cook quickly, and you don’t want them to burn or become too mushy. Check for the soft banana texture and melted fillings.
• Don’t Overstuff: You want to be able to enjoy the banana and fillings in each bite, so don’t overstuff the boats with too many toppings. A little goes a long way.

Why Campfire Banana Boats are Perfect for Camping

Campfire Banana Boats are the ideal camping dessert for a number of reasons:

• Fun for the Whole Family: Kids love the interactive element of making their own banana boats, and the adults will enjoy how easy and customizable they are.
• No Mess: The banana peel acts as a natural “bowl,” so there’s minimal cleanup after the fun.
• No Special Equipment Needed: All you need is a campfire and some foil—no need for baking sheets, pans, or fancy tools.
• Versatile: You can easily modify the recipe to suit dietary preferences or what you have on hand. You can make it vegan, gluten-free, or peanut-free with just a few simple swaps.
• Deliciously Gooey: The combination of warm, soft bananas with melted chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy nuts is irresistible!