Banana Split Vs Banana Royale: Is There A Difference?

As you're on the quest to make the perfect banana split, there are a few hacks that can take your dessert up several notches. If you've not tried to sink your teeth into an upgraded version made with fried bananas, you might be missing out. When sliced crosswise, a grilled banana split, also known as a banana royale, delivers the decadent taste of the buttery, caramelized fruit to your cool creation. Whether you decide to grill or deep fry bananas to line the base of your dessert dishes before piling on layers of ice cream and toppings, the extra attention you give to your base fruit will deliver payoffs well worth your while.

To transform a run-of-the-mill banana split into the fancier-sounding royale version, slice bananas into halves lengthwise and crosswise before setting them into a skillet generously coated with ghee, butter, or coconut oil. You can add a spoonful of sugar to the mixture to dial up the sweetness while placing the bananas into the warm, oily bath. Stir and move the bananas carefully to ensure an even, golden cook to avoid turning the pieces into broken mash. Should the banana slices break apart as they brown, you can still use them, but you may not have the aesthetics you had originally planned for your treat.

Punch up the flavor of your heated bananas with sprinkles of grated orange peel or warming spices like cinnamon and allspice. A splash of rum or liqueur (like Cointreau or Grand Marnier) can add a delicious boozy dimension to your recipe. Alternatively, toss the bananas on the grill before setting scoops of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ice creams in between arranged slices, or if you're camping, you can pack a sliced banana with a candy bar before wrapping the fruit with foil and setting it onto hot campfire coals. 

Whether you decide to peel and place bananas directly into a dish or fire them up on the grill, a banana split is the kind of dessert that is ideal for a DIY buffet. Set out bowls of toppings so that family and friends can top their assembled boats of sweetness with their choice of whipped cream, toasted nuts, chocolate syrup, and artful placements of cherries. After tasting the first spoonful, no one will care what the treat is called.