This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine
“Wow, this is so much better than a s’more!” said one Girl Scout from Virginia. “I never knew bananas could taste this good!” said another from Oregon.
Recently, I was in the mountains just outside Bellingham in Washington state leading a weeklong, outdoor-cooking workshop for 16 high-school-aged Girl Scouts from across the country. No small task, but a fun one. The workshop was in a meadow bordered by rhododendrons and wild blackberry bushes. We camped together under a canopy of tall Douglas firs that protected us from the intermittent rain showers, and I wanted to open their taste buds to something beyond campfire toasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. As is often the case in these situations, I’ve found it’s best to not overthink it — so naturally I turned to the humble banana.
Bananas are a fixture in just about every meal plan or resupply stop I make, and with good reason: They are high in potassium, an electrolyte that may help stave off cramping and keep your internal fluids in check. They have enough fiber and micronutrients to keep your eyes open and legs churning. Plus, because they contain tryptophan, which converts to mood-boosting serotonin, you’ll feel pretty darn good post-ride, no matter how tough it was. Bunch all of that together (pun intended) , and you’ve got a veritable nutritional Swiss army knife.
Not that I’m telling you anything you probably didn’t already know: The average American eats more than 13 pounds of the fruit on an annual basis. Still, for all the banana’s nutritional benefits — to say nothing of its affordability, availability, and packability — there’s a hidden secret inside the fruit’s convenient yellow jacket: With a little heat, the banana becomes an elevated dessert, not unlike something you’d find at an upscale, white table-cloth restaurant.
Fortunately, as you’ll find with Caramelized Banana Nilla Wafer Bowl, it doesn’t take an upscale kitchen to craft a serious backcountry crowd-pleaser. You just need a little fruit, some nuts, crushed Nilla Wafers, and brown sugar, a list of ingredients that’s conveniently short. Cook up one portion (one banana) or make enough for a larger group (bunches of bananas). The warm flavor is sure to hit the spot before you tuck in for the night.
Chef Corso is the head chef and founder of Outdoor Eats. Check out more great recipes at outdooreats.com or on How to Transform the Humble Banana into a Crave-worthy Camp Confection appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.
