This Banana Bread Sundae will quickly become a new favorite dessert! Warm, pan-fried banana bread is layered with chilled vanilla bean ice cream and served alongside fresh banana slices. To finish, everything is drizzled with rich caramel sauce and crunchy toasted pecan bits. It’s pure decadence in every bite!

Close up photo of banana bread sundae. Shows skillet browned banana bread slice with vanilla ice cream scoop on top, banana slices in the back. And everything is drizzled with caramel sauce.

What is the best way to upgrade an ice cream sundae? With a buttery pan-fried slice of warm banana bread!

This recipe is also an excellent way to use up leftover banana bread.

The pairing here is otherworldly when you combine homemade toasted banana bread, rich and creamy vanilla ice cream, and sweet, deeply flavored caramel sauce (which can be salted caramel if you prefer). And let’s not forget the final touch of crunchy pecans for that nutty finish.

Odds are everyone will be savoring this dessert down to the last bite. This is the kind of dessert you’ll want to whip up for all your favorite holidays and celebrations — it’s even a fun and exciting alternative to birthday cake.

Ingredients used to make a banana bread sundae.

Banana Bread Sundae Ingredients

  • Banana bread: This recipe is the recommended choice here. Bake it a day or two before you make these sundaes so it holds up well to pan frying. In a pinch, banana bread from the bakery works too.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter is called for, but salted works fine as well — it will just add a hint of salty flavor to the toasted banana bread.
  • Vanilla ice cream: Vanilla bean ice cream makes these feel a little fancier, but regular old-fashioned vanilla works great too. Coconut ice cream is an excellent option as well.
  • Caramel sauce: Homemade caramel sauce is best, but a store-bought jar works fine also.
  • Pecans: Chop and toast the pecans for extra flavor. Some grocery stores sell pre-toasted and chopped pecans, which saves prep time.
  • Bananas: A generous amount of banana slices brings fresh banana flavor throughout the dessert.

How to Make a Banana Bread Sundae

Toast the banana bread: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the banana bread slices and fry until golden brown and toasted on the bottom, about 1–2 minutes.

Banana bread slices frying in butter in a large non-stick skillet on first side.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, cut into small pieces and placed around the bread, then flip the slices and cook until golden brown on the second side.

Banana bread shown after toasting in butter on both sides in non-stick skillet.

Assemble the sundaes: Place a warm slice of toasted banana bread on each plate, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and arrange fresh banana slices alongside.

Toasted banana bread layered with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and banana slices to the sides.

Finish and serve: Drizzle generously with caramel sauce and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Serve immediately while the banana bread is still warm and the ice cream is cold.

Caramel drizzled over ice cream on banana bread sundae and pecans sprinkled over everything.

The contrast of warm, buttery banana bread against cool, creamy ice cream — all tied together with caramel and pecans — makes this one of the most satisfying desserts you can put together with minimal effort.