Easy Banana Split
Easy homemade banana split recipe with fresh fruit, nuts, and customizable toppings. Perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe but firm bananas
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup strawberry ice cream
- 1 cup chocolate ice cream
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup raw walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 maraschino cherries
- 2 tablespoons crushed graham crackers
Instructions
- 1
Prepare your serving bowls or banana split dishes by placing them in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to keep the ice cream from melting too quickly.
- 2
Slice each banana in half lengthwise and arrange both halves in the center of each chilled serving bowl.
- 3
Melt the dark chocolate chips with coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth and glossy, about 2 minutes.
- 4
Warm the natural peanut butter with 1 tablespoon maple syrup in a separate small saucepan over low heat, stirring until pourable, about 1 minute.
- 5
Scoop vanilla ice cream onto one side of each banana, strawberry ice cream in the middle, and chocolate ice cream on the other side.
- 6
Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over the chocolate ice cream scoop, letting it cascade slightly down the sides.
- 7
Pour the peanut butter mixture over the vanilla ice cream scoop in a decorative pattern.
- 8
Whip the heavy cream with 1 tablespoon sugar and vanilla extract using a hand mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
- 9
Crown each banana split with a generous dollop of whipped cream down the center.
- 10
Scatter the chopped almonds and walnuts over the whipped cream and ice cream.
- 11
Distribute fresh strawberry slices across the top of each split for color and freshness.
- 12
Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the entire dessert for added crunch and texture.
- 13
Top each split with a maraschino cherry and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
- 14
Serve immediately before the ice cream melts, providing long spoons for easy eating.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream | Greek yogurt-based frozen dessert with real fruit purees | Reduces added sugars and increases protein content while maintaining creamy texture |
| Dark chocolate chips melted with coconut oil | Pure unsweetened cocoa powder mixed with almond butter and a touch of maple syrup | Eliminates added sugars in chocolate sauce and increases healthy fats and antioxidants |
| Natural peanut butter | Almond butter or tahini | Offers different nutrient profiles with tahini providing more minerals and almond butter being lower in omega-6 fats |
| Heavy whipping cream sweetened with granulated sugar | Coconut cream whipped with a small amount of raw honey | Reduces dairy content and provides different sweetening approach with enzymes from raw honey |
| Maraschino cherries with high fructose corn syrup | Fresh or frozen dark cherries or raspberries | Eliminates artificial preservatives and added sugars while providing real polyphenols |
| Graham cracker crumbles | Crushed raw almonds, pecans, or gluten-free oat granola | Increases fiber, reduces refined carbohydrates, and enhances mineral content |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 428 |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 35mg |
| Sodium | 98mg |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 32g |
| Protein | 12g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
