The 2-Ingredient Dessert My Son Loves to Make and Eat

Fridays in our home used to be reserved for family movie nights, and dessert was always a team effort between me and my son. But these days we rarely get to enjoy that sweet ritual together. So, when my son’s soccer practice is cancelled, I secretly celebrate because it means I’ll get to spend time in the kitchen with him.

Last week, when practice was called off, I was thrilled—we could finally have a proper family night again. Dessert wasn’t planned in advance, so we had to come up with something easy. Neither of us felt like baking or waiting for something to cool down, so we had to get inventive. I spotted a pint of vanilla bean ice cream in the freezer and a few bananas on the counter, and that’s how this beautiful two-ingredient dessert came to be.

The key to this couldn’t-be-easier dessert is halving the bananas lengthwise with the peel still on. The peel will help the bananas hold together during broiling and make it much easier to transfer from the baking sheet to your plate.

Tips for Perfect Caramelized Bananas

• Choose the right bananas: The bananas should be firm and yellow with no brown spots. Avoid overripe or mushy bananas because they will ooze and collapse under the broiler.
• Watch closely: Broiling times vary depending on your oven’s intensity. Stay nearby and check frequently to avoid burning.
• If you have a torch, use it: While your oven’s broiler will work well for this recipe, if you have a culinary torch, this is the perfect opportunity to use it. Don’t hold the torch too close to the sugar, and move it in little circles to caramelize the sugar evenly.

How To Make My Caramelized Bananas

For four servings, you’ll need:

• 4 ripe, firm bananas 
• 8 teaspoons granulated sugar
• Vanilla ice cream, optional
• Chopped pistachios, optional

Set your oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil—trust me, you’ll be glad you did, because when hardened sugar sticks to that sheet, it’s hard to scrub off.

Working one at a time, hold each banana steady, then carefully slice it in half lengthwise through the peel and flesh, so you end up with two long halves. I hold the banana upside down—with the curve facing down against the cutting board—so it won’t wobble when I cut it.

Gently separate each half and place cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar evenly over each banana half.

Place the baking sheet under the broiler. Broil until the sugar gets bubbly and turns golden, 5 to 7 minutes. If needed, rotate the baking sheet once or twice to help the bananas caramelize evenly. Remove the baking sheet from the oven immediately.

Let the bananas cool slightly before serving warm in their peels with scoops of ice cream, if desired.

These bananas are best enjoyed right after broiling. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. You don’t need to reheat them—they’re great cold, too.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to enjoy these caramelized bananas. We love them with vanilla bean ice cream and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top—the contrast of warm, cold, and crunchy is perfect. Here are other fun ideas and flavor combinations to explore:

• Enjoy with ice cream: In addition to vanilla ice cream, we love these bananas with chocolate, coffee, or dulce de leche. So many flavor combos! The warmth of the bananas with the cold, creamy ice cream is lovely. Add some nuts and a maraschino cherry on top, too, for retro banana split vibes!
• Stir into oatmeal: For a sweet breakfast upgrade, add them to your bowl of oatmeal. You can toss in some berries and add a dollop of peanut butter on top, too.
• Make a yogurt parfait: Layer these bananas with plain or vanilla yogurt and top with berries, nut butter, or some granola. So good.

More Quick and Easy Desserts

• 3-Ingredient Whipped Ricotta and Berries
• 2-Ingredient Chocolate Dipped Orange Segments
• 3-Ingredient Lemon Posset
• 3-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Spoons