Banana split, sweet or dessert from the United States: what it is and how it is eaten

The banana split is a dessert from the United States, built around a banana sliced lengthwise and laid in a dish with scoops of ice cream. It is finished with sauces, whipped cream, and a cherry. This treat is enjoyed cold, often as a sweet ending to a meal or a special snack.

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First made in Pennsylvania in 1904
Served in a long dish called a 'boat'
Classic version uses three ice cream flavors
Topped with sauces, whipped cream, and a cherry
Latrobe and Wilmington both hold banana split festivals

What is Banana split?

A banana split is a dessert where a banana is peeled and sliced the long way, then placed in a dish shaped like a boat. On top, several kinds of ice cream are arranged, usually vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Sauces such as chocolate, strawberry, or pineapple are poured over the ice cream. The whole thing is finished with whipped cream and a bright red maraschino cherry. Sometimes, chopped nuts are sprinkled on top. The dish is cold, creamy, and sweet, with the banana adding a soft, mild flavor beneath the ice cream and toppings.

Where does Banana split come from?

The banana split is believed to have first appeared in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1904. David 'Doc' Strickler, a pharmacy student working at a soda fountain, wanted to create a new sundae using bananas, which were a novelty at the time. His creation quickly spread in popularity, especially among local college students. Other towns, such as Wilmington, Ohio, and Boston, have also claimed to invent the dessert, but most historians point to Latrobe as the original home. The city of Latrobe and Wilmington both celebrate the banana split with annual festivals, and a historical marker now stands in Latrobe at the site of Strickler's pharmacy.

How is Banana split made?

To make a banana split, a banana is peeled and cut lengthwise. The two halves are set in a long, shallow dish. Scoops of ice cream, typically vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, are placed between or on top of the banana. Traditional sauces—chocolate, strawberry, and pineapple—are drizzled over the ice cream. Whipped cream is added, and a maraschino cherry is placed on top. Crushed nuts, such as peanuts or walnuts, are sometimes sprinkled over everything. The dessert is served immediately, while the ice cream is still firm.

How and when is Banana split eaten?

Banana splits are usually eaten as a dessert or a sweet snack. They are served in a special glass or ceramic dish called a 'boat,' which holds the banana and ice cream together. People use a spoon to eat it, scooping up a bit of banana, ice cream, and toppings in each bite. It is a popular choice at ice cream parlors and soda fountains, especially in the warmer months. The treat is often shared, but can also be enjoyed alone.

Kinds of Banana split

There are many ways to change up a banana split. Some versions use different ice cream flavors, such as coffee or coconut. Others swap out the usual sauces for caramel or butterscotch. Grilled bananas or extra fruits can be added, and toppings like nuts or different syrups are common. The banana split pie is a related dessert, made with similar flavors but in a pie form, and was created in Nebraska in the 1950s.

What Banana split means

The banana split has become an American classic, with its origins tied to the soda fountain culture of the early 20th century. Latrobe and Wilmington both honor the dessert with annual festivals. The National Ice Cream Retailers Association recognized Latrobe as the birthplace in 2004, and a historical marker was placed there. The dessert's popularity grew as drugstore soda fountains, such as those at Walgreens, adopted it as a signature item. The banana split has also appeared in music and popular culture, reflecting its place in American life.

Questions people ask about Banana split

What is a banana split made of?

A banana split is made with a peeled banana cut lengthwise, three types of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), sauces like chocolate or pineapple, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. Nuts are sometimes added.

Where did the banana split come from?

Most historians trace the banana split to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where it was first created in 1904 by David Strickler. Other towns have also claimed to invent it, but Latrobe is widely recognized as its birthplace.

How is a banana split served?

It is served cold in a long, shallow dish called a 'boat.' The banana halves cradle scoops of ice cream, which are topped with sauces, whipped cream, and a cherry. A spoon is used to eat it.

Are there different versions of the banana split?

Yes, some versions use other ice cream flavors, different sauces like caramel, or extra toppings such as nuts or grilled bananas. There is also a banana split pie, which uses similar ingredients in a pie form.

Is the banana split vegetarian?

Yes, the classic banana split is vegetarian, as it contains no meat or fish. It does include dairy products like ice cream and whipped cream.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Banana split", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Banana split