Turn your favorite ice cream sundae into a moist and flavorful loaf with this easy Banana Split Quick Bread recipe! Made with ripe bananas, maraschino cherries, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and mini chocolate chips, this tropical-inspired quick bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat.
If you’re looking for a fun twist on banana bread that the whole family will love, this fruity dessert bread is sure to be a hit. No mixer required and ready in about an hour!
If you’re a fan of banana bread and you love banana splits, you’re in for a real treat. This Banana Split Quick Bread takes all those nostalgic sundae flavors—bananas, pineapple, cherries, coconut, and chocolate—and bakes them into a moist, tender loaf you can enjoy any time of day.
It’s fruity, fun, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, packing it in a lunchbox, or slicing it for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, this recipe delivers sweet satisfaction with every bite.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No mixer needed – just bowls and a spoon!
- Pantry-friendly – uses simple ingredients.
- Great for gifting – makes a colorful, pretty loaf.
- Kid-approved – chocolate chips and cherries? Yes, please!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Banana Split Add-Ins:
- 1 large ripe banana, mashed
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, chopped and patted dry
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, well drained
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
How to Make Banana Split Quick Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Combine & Fold
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. The batter will be thick—don’t overmix.
Now fold in the mashed banana and all your fun Banana Split mix-ins: cherries, pineapple, coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts if using.
Step 5: Pour & Bake
Scoop the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Step 6: Cool & Serve
Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing—if you can wait that long!
Optional Toppings
Want to go full banana split? Try these topping ideas:
- Drizzle with chocolate or vanilla glaze
- Add whipped cream and a cherry on top
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream
Storage Tips
- Store at room temperature, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freeze slices individually for easy grab-and-go treats!
Variations & Tips
- Make it tropical – add a splash of rum extract or use toasted coconut.
- Skip the nuts – if you’re nut-free, the loaf is just as good without them.
- Use fresh pineapple – just be sure it’s finely chopped and well-drained.
Conclusion
This Banana Split Quick Bread is one of those feel-good, crowd-pleasing recipes that’s perfect for lazy weekends, brunch tables, or anytime you need a cheerful pick-me-up. It’s colorful, fun, and full of flavor—just like a banana split should be.
Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear what you think or how you customize it!
Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.
- Fast Bread Recipe – By Sugar Geek Show
- Quick Breads – By What’s Gaby Cooking
- Easy Quick Bread Recipes – By I Heart Naptime
Banana Split Quick Bread
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls.
- 1 loaf pan
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Banana Split Add-Ins
- 1 large ripe banana, mashed
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, chopped and patted dry
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt).
- In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (egg, milk, oil, vanilla).
- Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined — don’t overmix.
- Fold in the mashed banana and all Banana Split Add-Ins.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use fresh cherries or pineapple instead of canned?
Yes! Just make sure both are chopped small and drained very well to avoid adding extra moisture to the batter.
2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. This bread keeps well for up to 3 days at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
3. Can I leave out the coconut or nuts?
Yes, feel free to leave out or swap any mix-ins to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
4. How do I know when it’s done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it’s ready.
Summary
I hope I have inspired you to bake your very own bread loaves to enjoy and share with your friends and family
If you were encouraged by this post, I invite you to check out my FREE Printables Page for fun free printables, planners, and charts.
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Here are some more of my bread-making inspiration posts to check out!
How to Make S’mores Quick Bread
How to Make Jelly Donut Quick Bread
Lemon Blueberry: How to Make Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Focaccia
How to Make Sourdough Lemon Supreme Quick Bread
Lemon Supreme: How to Make Sourdough Lemon Supreme Quick Bread
How to Make Sourdough Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins
How to Make Chai-Spiced Sourdough Banana Bread
The Best Old Fashioned Sourdough Banana Muffins
How to Make Honey Sourdough Bread
Blueberry: How to Make Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Quick Bread
Pizza: How to Make Pizza Sourdough Focaccia
Carrot Cake: How to Make Carrot Cake Sourdough Focaccia
Easy and Delicious Hershey’s Kisses Sourdough Bread
How to Make Amish Whoopie Pies!
Lazy Cinnamon Rolls: How to Make Easy Cinnamon Rolls the Lazy Way!
Lembas Bread: How to Make Elven Lembas Bread: A Taste of Rivendell
Gnome Bread: How to Make a Sourdough Gnome Bread
How to Make Sourdough Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins
The Best Hoagie Buns Recipe Made From Scratch!
Pumpkin: How to Make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
More Recipes!
Sweet Potato Bread: How to Make Sweet Potato Bread
Chocolate Chip Cookies: How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bread
Carrot Cake Quick Bread: How to Make Carrot Cake Quick Bread
How to Make Strawberries and Cream Sourdough Bread
How to Make S’mores Sourdough Bread
July 4th Bread: How to Make a Firecracker Marble Bread Braid
Artisan Bread: How to Make Artisan Bread
Challah Bread: How to Make a 6 Braided Challah Bread
Sweet Bread: How to Make Sweet Bread
Blessings,
The Off Grid Barefoot Girl
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