I’m going to show you how to make the yummiest little frozen treat that will have everyone going bananas. These are sweet and indulgent, but still pretty healthy so everyone in the family can enjoy them.
Start by slicing a couple of ripe bananas into about 1/2-3/4″ slices
and place them on a parchement-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes. You want the bananas chilled, so the chocolate mixture adheres quickly, but not frozen so that it’s difficult to use tooth picks to pick them up.
The first few times I made these, I dipped my bananas in melted almond butter, and after that had set in the freezer, I dipped them again in a melted chocolate mixture. I love the layers of flavor in that method, but the process takes much longer with additional steps. Looking to make this quick and easy, I decided to mix everything together and it worked perfectly. Just melt together some chocolate chips, almond or peanut butter, and a little bit of coconut oil.
The coconut oil makes the mixture smooth and easier for dipping.
I use a tooth pick in each had to grab a chilled banana chunk and dip it into the chocolate mixture. Let the excess drip off, and then place them back on the parchment.
If you like, before the chocolate sets, sprinkle on toppings like toasted coconut chips or chopped nuts.
Put the pan back into the freezer for a few hours for everything to freeze solid.
If you really want to monkey around, you can turn your little treats into curious monkeys by using one cookie have from a mini golden oreo and a little chocolate or black gel icing for the smile. I used the other half of the cookie for the ears, and two itty-bitty freeze dried marshmallows for the eyes!
These make a great little after-school snack or sweet treat after dinner.
Bananas are still a little soft after being completely solid, so they almost take on the texture and consistency of ice cream. In fact, one of my kids thought they were ice cream! The creamy chocolate with a hit of peanut butter is the perfect little indulgence to go with it. These will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth, and without breaking the caloric bank, either!
Try these out with your own little monkeys!
Print
Frozen Chocolate-PB-Banana Bites
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 banana bites
Description
These frozen banana bites are sweet and indulgent, but they are healthy enough for the whole family to enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1–2 ripe bananas
- 6 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons peanut or nut butter of choice
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- optional: assorted toppings like chopped peanuts, toasted coconut, etc.
Instructions
- Slice bananas into 1/2-3/4 inch slices and lay on a parchment-lined pan. Place pan in freezer for about 30 minutes.
- Combine chocolate, peanut butter, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted and smooth. Use a toothpick in each hand to pick up chilled bananas and dip them in chocolate mixture. Let excess drip off and then return to pan. If desired, sprinkle on toppings, and then return pan to freezer until bananas frozen through. Store in a covered container, layering on parchment if necessary.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Freeze Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Questions & Reviews
We made these the other day and love them! I found that a little less-ripe banana helps them stay together better. Anytime the chocolate started hardening I’d just stick it in the microwave for a few seconds. Worked great!
Can I substitute anything for the coconut oil?
Oh man, this looks perfect for summer. I have some Curious George fans that would love this! Oh, and you’re knife is adorable 🙂 I love colorful kitchens.
George is definitely a favorite at our house too! My oldest is 12 and he would never admit to turning it on himself, but if he hears my younger boys watching it he will go join them. We have had many George birthday parties and Halloween costumes.
What a great healthy snack! Can’t wait to make these!
Um, did that jar say coconut almond butter!?!? I didn’t know such delights existed! Can’t wait to try these for our next family movie night.
yessssss! It’s yummy!
I am guessing that if you happen to have frozen bananas already in the freezer and don’t mind it being messy (just using your fingers to dip) you could use them. Do you think so? I often have frozen bananas waiting for me to make banana bread. Your little monkey banana slices are so cute! Not to mention, your little monkey!
Assuming there are any left or I want to make a big batch to store, do they store in the freezer well for awhile? And when you say to store layered in a covered container, do you mean in the freezer and thaw for a bit or on the counter/fridge for ones that will be eaten soon? Thanks! I feel I’m having a bit of a dense moment, lol.
And we are totally George fans….but we don’t have Hulu. I did notice it’s not on Amazon Prime anymore which really disappointed me, but fortunately we have lots of the dvds.
No, just store them all in the freezer and eat them straight from the freezer!
I just made these (subbing in white chocolate chips and Nutella) and the chocolate mixture started seizing up after about 7 dips. I ended up spooning the remaining sauce kind of over the top of the bananas… Is Nutella enough different from nut butters that it’s not a good substitution, or did I do something wrong? I froze the bananas 30 min. and they were still semi-soft, so maybe it was the moisture from the bananas. It was still a yummy treat! My kindergartener loved them. 🙂
Those are two totally different products 🙂 White chocolate isn’t actually chocolate, and nutella has nuts in it, but isn’t nut butter. Glad they still tasted yummy! Try it with actual chocolate and nut butter and see how that goes!
I used peanut butter and chocolate and only made it halfway through before the chocolate stopped sticking too.
The type of nut butter could make a difference as well. Try adding a bit more coconut oil and warming the mix halfway through. That should help!
I’ve found that white chocolate seizes up really easily, too. You might need more coconut oil to keep it fluid.
The idea to mix the chocolate and peanut butter is brilliant! I have a few that don’t eat peanut butter (and a husband that doesn’t eat PB with chocolate because he is crazy!), but I could make some with PB and top them with chopped nuts and then make some with just chocolate and leave them plain so everyone can tell the difference. I LOVE this idea!
(Also, this has nothing to do with monkey treats, but I decided it was time to grow up and give spaghetti squash another shot so I followed your instructions for roasting it and it was delicious. It opens up a whole new world of healthy eating possibilities and I’m so happy about it!)
My son loves Curious George as well. I put together a Man in the Yellow Hat costume for him for Halloween and it was a hit! He’ll think these banana treats are so fun!
Ohhh that is so smart! That opens up a world of possibilities in terms of healthier snacks… Great share, love the monkey versions too!