Why You’ll Love Them
They are remarkably ice-cream-like. Frozen bananas are famous for their ice-cream-like texture, which is why they are such a popular addition to smoothies. When you coat banana slices in chocolate, they turn into mini ice cream bites! They are easy to make. All you need is 3 simple ingredients to assemble frozen banana bites, along with a little patience while you wait for them to firm up in the freezer. They are vegan. These are easier to make than coconut milk ice cream or vegan ice cream bars, and will still satisfy an ice cream craving. (With less added sugar!) Be sure to look for chocolate chips that are labeled dairy-free and vegan, if you need a vegan recipe, or try the homemade chocolate shell recipe below. They are easy to customize. Just like a chocolate covered banana pop, you can add your favorite toppings, like peanut butter, pretzels, sea salt, or crushed nuts for a little crunch. No special equipment is needed. No ice cream maker or food processor is required to make these! They are allergy friendly. Banana bites are naturally gluten-free, and you can make them nut-free by omitting the peanut butter. If you need a lower-sugar treat, use dark chocolate chips.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What do you need to make them?
BananasChocolate chipsCoconut oilAll natural peanut butter
The last two ingredients are totally optional, but I love the extra flavor that peanut butter adds to these. Peanut butter + banana are a perfect match, so I usually make chocolate peanut butter banana bites most often. You can also use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter, if you prefer. Or, leave it off entirely for a nut-free dessert. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top makes the flavor pop! Prefer to skip the chocolate chips? You can make your own chocolate magic shell that hardens when frozen, by mixing together a 3 tablespoons each of maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and cacao powder. Be sure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing them together, so the coconut oil won’t harden before you’re ready to drizzle this over the frozen bananas.
How to Make Frozen Banana Bites
1. Freeze the banana slices. Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper, and make sure it will fit on a flat shelf in your freezer. Slice the banana into 1/2-inch coins, and arrange the slices on a single layer on the lined baking sheet. If you’d like to add peanut butter to these bites, add a small amount (about a 1/2 teaspoon) on top of each banana slice. You can make these into mini peanut butter sandwiches by placing another banana slice on top of the peanut butter, or you can keep them open-faced with just the peanut butter on top of a single banana slice. Place the pan in the freezer, and let the slices freeze for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you want to plan ahead. Tip: If you plan on making these banana bites for company, you can place a toothpick into each banana slice before freezing. I find they are easier to serve to guests that way! But, I don’t go through that trouble when I’m just making these as a snack for my family. 2. Melt the chocolate. When the banana slices are frozen, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together. You can do this in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second intervals in your microwave, or you can melt it in a double boiler on the stove top. (This is my preferred method.) To create a double boiler, fill a small saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring it to a boil on the stove. In a heat-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and place the bowl on top of the saucepan. It should snugly cover the top of the saucepan, so the steam will start to heat the bottom of the bowl. Stir until the chocolate is melted. 3. Dip the bananas. Use a fork to dip the bananas into the melted chocolate, and let the excess chocolate drip off back into the bowl. Or, you can use a spoon to pour a small amount of chocolate directly on the frozen bananas while they sit on the parchment lined pan. How much chocolate you add is up to you! You can dip just half the banana into the melted chocolate (which makes it easier to grip the frozen banana as you dip), or you can cover the whole thing. While the chocolate is still melted, sprinkle on any additional toppings you like, such as sea salt, crushed peanuts, or pretzels. Note: Another option is to make these like a mini peanut butter cup, in a mini muffin pan or cupcake liner. I love adding banana slices to almond butter cups before freezing them, and then the chocolate coating is a little less messy to deal with that way. 4. Enjoy! Once you’ve added the melted chocolate to the frozen bananas, pop the pan back into the freezer long enough for the chocolate to set. They are ready to eat in as little as 10 minutes! Frozen banana bites can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months, so they are an easy frozen dessert to keep on hand all summer long. If you try these chocolate peanut butter banana bites, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like them.
