Red, White, and Blue Banana Boats

Celebrate Independence Day with these sweet and healthy Red, White, and Blue Banana Boats, made right inside their peels and stuffed with strawberry jam, blueberries, and topped with tahini! Make these deliciously sweet boats in your air fryer, or take them on your camping trip and cook them in the campfire. 

Americans love bananas, boats, and the colors of the flag. Why not combine all of these fun things into one amazing, patriotic dessert? Plus, there are multiple ways to cook these little boats!

Red, White, and Blue Banana Boats are stuffed, jammy bananas that are cooked right in their jackets! They are filled with strawberry jam and blueberries before topping with tahini for the easiest, most festive treat you have ever seen. These are the perfect healthy, festive treats. The best part is that you can make them at home in the air fryer or right on top of your campfire!

Since so many folks love to camp or spend time outdoors for the 4th, these banana boats are the perfect treat for kids, adults, and everyone in between! If you cook them in your campfire, be sure to assemble them ahead of time, wrap them in foil, and throw them right in the campfire to allow the white chocolate chips to melt.

Campfire Vs. Air Fryer

We will all consume our fair share of red, white, and blue foods over the 4th of July weekend. However, these banana boats are easily assembled and do not have any artificial food colorings (unless you use sprinkles on top), so they are likely the healthiest dessert you will come across this weekend!

It is recommended that you make these Red, White, and Blue Banana Boats either in your air fryer or your campfire. When making them in the air fryer, you do not have to wrap the boats in foil. Simply cut into your banana, stuff it, and place it cut-side-up in your air fryer.

The campfire option is a little more fun and interactive. Wrap your prepared banana boats tightly in foil. Then throw them on the side of your campfire where the hot coals are. Be sure to use fire protection. Allow the bananas to warm for 10 minutes and they are ready to eat!

Ingredients in Red, White, and Blue Banana Boats

• 4 large bananas
• ½ cup strawberry jam, plus more for topping
• half-cup fresh blueberries, plus more for topping
• ½ cup tahini, for drizzling
• Patriotic sprinkles, for serving

Optional Additional Toppings:

• White chocolate chips
• Peanut butter chips
• Dark chocolate chips
• Maple syrup

How to Make Red, White, and Blue Banana Boats

Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

Slice into your bananas curved side up using a paring knife. Do not pierce all the way through, leave the underside totally intact. Gently open the cut you have made so that you can fit ingredients inside.

Spoon some jam and blueberries inside the banana.

Once the air fryer is preheated, add the bananas cut side up into your air fryer. Cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.

Remove the bananas carefully from the air fryer. Top with a drizzle of tahini, blueberries, jam, and some sprinkles along with any additional toppings you like. Enjoy!

Campfire Option:

After you have stuffed your bananas, wrap them tightly in foil.

When ready to cook, place the wrapped bananas in the coals of your campfire. Allow to warm for 10 minutes.

Remove from the fire and unwrap the bananas. Top with tahini, sprinkles, and any other optional toppings before serving.