A banana split — for breakfast? Oh yes! This quick, easy, yummy breakfast takes a dessert classic and lightens it up for the morning! Can you guess what's in it?
No, ice cream isn't involved. (Ice cream for breakfast — that seems best saved for birthdays, eh?) To make this banana split you pile scoops of thick Greek yogurt on top of a ripe banana, then drizzle warm jam (instead of chocolate sauce!) and add some almonds and berries. Of course, a cherry on top would be the ideal finishing touch (I was all out).
I can't take credit for this brilliant little breakfast — the idea came in a press release from Julia at The Fresh Ideas Group; she was suggesting it as a use for one of her client's products, Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spreads. I ended up using raspberry jam from Jamie Oliver's line, and of course you could use really any jam or preserve you like. Or I suppose you could even use melted unsweetened dark chocolate if, you know, you really want some extra antioxidants with your breakfast!
It just so happens, too, that today is National Banana Split Day. We are a little bemused by this ‐ really, who comes up with these holidays? — but I'll take any chance I get to have a banana split.
This is such a simple idea it hardly needs a recipe, but here's one just so you can see what I did.

makes 1 serving
1 ripe yet firm banana, peeled
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons fruit jam or preserves
2 tablespoons sliced almonds or other nuts
Handful fresh berries or cherries
Split the banana lengthwise and lay the two halves in a shallow bowl. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the yogurt and put it on top of the banana. Warm the jam in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds or until it is very runny. Use a spoon to drizzle the jam over the yogurt, and sprinkle the nuts over everything. Top with the berries or cherries, and dig in!
More Banana Treats from The Kitchn
Pictured above, left to right:
• Blueberry Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
• How To Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient!
• Frozen Banana-Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Milkshakes
More (not pictured above)
• How To Make Basic Banana Bread
• Lunch Surprise: Write a Secret Message on a Banana
• Go Bananas! 12 Banana Sweets and Treats
• Recipe: Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Banana Chunks
• Recipe: Caramel Banana Cake
(Images: Faith Durand)



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Comments (18)
That sounds delicious! But, one must wonder whether Faith has been spending too much time in Canada lately...the word 'eh' is one that I've rarely heard used in American-based blogs.
I stayed at a hotel in Berkeley a few years ago that offered a breakfast banana split. From what i remember it's version used cottage cheese, honey, toasted coconuts and almonds
@kaitlin ha! I have indeed been in Canada quite a bit this summer.
You could probably even make some homemade frozen yogurt (perhaps sweetening it just a touch with some honey or maple syrup) and have something even a touch *closer* to a banana split!
(Smitten Kitchen has a recipe for frozen yogurt that is to die for. Some Greek yogurt, a can of coconut milk, some (though not tons) of sugar, some cherries, and some almond extract. Delicious!)
How about searing the split banana first, leaving some lovely char marks?
Other than the fact that it's more breakfasty than chocolate sauce, there's probably not a lot of reason to go with heated jelly instead since it has a lot of sugar in it too (unless, of course, you use no-sugar-added preserves).
Now, caramelizing or charring the bananas - that's genius!
My 3 yr old would love this. Fun idea-thank you!
@Huttson and @LEOwens yes to caramelizing the bananas! I actually did that here, for oatmeal:
- Fancy-Schmancy Oatmeal Topping! Brûléed Bananas
I've been making a version of this for a few years now. Homemade frozen yogurt (1 container plain greek yogurt, 1/2C sugar) bananas, sometimes strawberries, granola and *the best part* just a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate. That really makes you feel like you're eating a treat for breakfast. But really, out of orange rolls, cinnamon rolls, coffee cake... a real sundae for breakfast wouldn't be that crazy!
Honey would also be very good on top, instead of the preserves.
I second the idea of drizzling honey on top of the yogurt rather than warmed-up jam. I eat this combination for breakfast all of the time; there's no need to wait for a "holiday."
Yes!
Mmmm, sounds like a great start to the day. I bet this would also be good with blueberry jam.. or frozen stawberry-banana yogurt and a drizzle of strawberry preserves.
just made it for breakfast with sliced stawberries, the kids love it!
Wow ~ I can't wait for my next brunch to serve this treat! Staceyann Dolenti
This site ALWAYS has the BEST recipes.
Staceyann Dolenti
I feel like it would taste pretty good if you caramelized the banana a bit first (I have a bit of a sweet tooth) :)
I used Trader Joes Greek Honey yogurt and melted Nutella on it....my daughter liked it with the strawberry preserve. It was such a healthy breakfast AND I had no problem getting her to finish before school!