Grilled Bananas

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Grilled Bananas take 10 minutes to make and are perfectly caramelized with a hint of smokiness from the grill. It's a great way to use up those ripe bananas sitting on your counter!

129 CAL 27g CARBS 3g FAT 1g PROTEIN 2
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Grilled Bananas are an easy dessert that tastes much fancier than it is. Grilling fruit is a great way to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit and helps caramelize the sugars for a sweet flavor.

The bananas are sliced in half, brushed with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and grilled cut-side down until they're soft and golden.

You can top Grilled Bananas however you like! I am partial to a little drizzle of peanut butter, chocolate, and flaky sea salt. My girls love these with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.

My husband usually adds all three. All of us love adding some crunch with chopped nuts. There are just so many good options to choose from!

Are you on a grilling fruit kick? Try these Grilled Pears, Grilled Pineapple, and Grilled Apples.

What if I don't have a grill?

You can grill bananas without a grill by using a cast iron skillet or grill pan on the stovetop. Slice the bananas in half lengthwise, leave the peel on if you want structure, and cook them cut-side down over medium heat until caramelized and golden.

Other options:

  • Broiler: Place bananas cut-side up on a baking sheet and broil for 2–4 minutes until browned and bubbly.
  • Air fryer: Cook at 375°F for 6–8 minutes, checking halfway.
  • Oven: Bake at 400°F for about 10–12 minutes until soft and lightly browned.

Can I grill bananas wrapped in foil?

Another popular way to cook bananas on the grill is wrapped in foil, especially for camping. These are also delicious but lack this version's caramelization and grill marks. To make these bananas in foil packs, start by slicing the bananas down the center, but make sure not to cut all the way through the peel. You want to make banana boats.

Brush with the butter and sugar mixture, adding any other toppings you like. Many people like to make "campfire bananas," which have chocolate chips and marshmallows, kind of like s'mores. After adding your toppings or leaving them plain, wrap the bananas in foil, leaving the top slightly open. Place on the grill and cook for 10 minutes until the bananas soften.

A bunch of ripe bananas alongside bowls of honey, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon on a marble countertop.

Grilled Banana Dessert Topping Ideas

This is where these grilled bananas get fun. It's all about the toppings. Here are some favorites, but get as creative as you like:

  • Chocolate: Bananas and chocolate are an obvious pair, so grab some chocolate sauce or melt your favorite chocolate and drizzle it right on top. No one would blame you for trying caramel sauce as well!
  • Peanut butter: Nut butter is another natural choice. To make it easier to drizzle, place it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds first.
  • Sea salt: Flaky sea salt is a great way to bring out the flavor and create that sweet and salty flavor everyone loves.
  • Ice cream: Grab a scoop of vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt, or Greek yogurt. They are perfect for an ice cream sundae!
  • S'mores: Use s'mores to inspire and top the warm bananas with a chocolate drizzle, mini marshmallows, and crumbled graham crackers.
  • Nutty: Sprinkle some chopped walnuts or peanuts for extra crunch.
  • Strawberry sauce and crushed pineapple: Kind of like making a BBQ banana split!
  • Fresh fruit: Top your grilled bananas with fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a vibrant twist.
  • Whipped cream: A dollop or two of whipped cream never hurt anybody, right?
Grilled bananas drizzled with chocolate and peanut butter, served on a round plate with a spoon nearby.

How To Use Grilled Bananas

There are plenty of ways to use grilled bananas that will instantly upgrade your favorite dishes.

Storage and Reheating

Here's how to keep your grilled bananas fresh so you can enjoy them again:

  • To store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: Pop the bananas in the oven at 350 degrees F and heat for 4-5 minutes until warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions about cooking bananas on the grill.

Choose firm bananas that are ripe but not overly soft. These tend to hold up better on the grill.

Yes! Leaving the peel on helps hold the banana while grilling, like a pan. Unpeeled bananas cook more evenly and make flipping easier too.

Homemade grilled bananas drizzled with chocolate and peanut butter.
The Recipe
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Grilled Bananas

129 CAL 27g CARBS 3g FAT 1g PROTEIN 2
PREP TIME: 15 Min
COOK TIME: 10 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 4 bananas
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (maple syrup or honey)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

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1

Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

2

Slice the bananas in half, leaving the peel on the bananas. This will hold the bananas together and ensure they don’t fall apart on the grill. Brush the exposed banana halves with the butter, sugar, and cinnamon mixture. Let rest for 10 minutes. This helps the sugar dissolve.

3

Start grilling the banana with the flesh side down. Grill for 2-3 minutes until grill marks form and banana slightly softened. Turn over to peel side and grill for about 1 minute. You know it’s done when the banana begins to pull away from the peel.

4

Serve immediately. Consider topping with drizzle chocolate, peanut butter, or both.

Equipment

This equipment section may contain affiliate links to products we recommend.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 banana
Amount Per Serving
Calories 129
Calories from Fat 29
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g
5%
Saturated Fat 2g
10%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 8mg
3%
Sodium 3mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate 27g
9%
Dietary Fiber 3g
11%
Sugars 16g
Protein 1g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Notes

Feel free to skip the brown sugar for a healthier option. Or swap in honey, maple syrup, or agave.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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