Kids can prepare their own Banana Boats easily. And because the ingredients are few and the cooking process is easy, this dessert can be made while camping or while barbecuing in the backyard!

Prep Time: 5 min.    Yields: 4

Cook Time: Campfire— about 6–8 min. Grill— about 10 min. Oven— about 15 min.

What You’ll Need for Banana Boats:

• 4 bananas
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• aluminum foil

Optional Additions: 

• nuts: almonds, pecans, or walnuts
• peanut butter
• peanut butter chips
• butterscotch chips
• caramel
• graham cracker crumbs

* For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

What You’ll Do for Banana Boats:

1. Put a banana on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil or two sheets of regular-weight foil.
2. Using a sharp knife, slice the banana down the center being careful not to cut all the way through.
3. Pack it full of marshmallows, chocolate chips, and any other extras. The kids can handle this assembly step quite easily.
4. Wrap the stuffed banana with the aluminum foil and crimp the edges. Put it on the coals of a campfire or on the barbecue. (If you do not have a campfire, you can put it in the oven at 400° F.)
5. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes— if you’re using a campfire, check it more frequently, as you can’t regulate the temperature.
6. Carefully remove the foil packets and allow them to cool for a few minutes. When opening, be careful of the escaping steam.