Hi there!
I hope you had a fantastic Memorial Day! I don’t know about you, but I never wanted our weekend to end. We took a drive out to the NC coast and spent the long weekend with friends. It’s been a long time since we’ve spent more than a day-trip to the coast. In fact, I think it’s been years since I’ve actually been in the ocean more than toe-deep. I feel like we’re very geographically lucky in Raleigh, because we’re only around a 2-3 hour drive to the coast and 3-4 hours to the Appalachian mountains (depending on exactly where you’re headed).
I almost forgot how scared I could be of the water also. There are just so many critters in the ocean that could be around; the good (fish), the bad (sharks + jelly fish), and the ugly (stingrays). However, after enough hours baking in the hot sun plus the courage of a homemade piña colada (whoa baby it was good!), I took a few steps in the water until I was knee deep, then waist deep, then shoulder deep. And…. I survived! I had forgotten just how fun jumping over and under waves could be. Although losing my sunglasses wasn’t that fun… Darnit John is right again (“don’t wear your sunglasses in the ocean”). Sigh. Anyway, overall being at the beach was a blast!
While we left the water and sea breeze, the hot sun and humidity found it’s way to Raleigh, a place it calls home most of the summer. So we traded out the soups and hot teas on our menu a lot in the cold months and replace it with cold salads, smoothies, and my favorite, frozen treats!
It’s a tasty evening over here at the Middleton’s as I’m writing to share one of my all time favorite and EASIEST sweet treats with you. Last week I’d gone bananas and revealed my secret to the BEST method for storing banana slices. Now, I’m riding that wave on out by sharing THIS frozen banana bites recipe. Let’s do this!
There are only 3 super common ingredients for these little tasties that you, health nut like myself, likely already have on-hand.
I love this recipe because –
- It’s a non-dairy frozen treat that I can enjoy without my stomach hurting later (looking at you, ice cream)
- It has a sweet, solid-yet-creamy consistency of ice cream bites (remember those?)
- A healthier, low-sugar snack when you’re having a certain chocolate craving
- It’s only 3 ingredients to a delicious + satisfying sweet treat!
Here’s how I make it:
You’ll need –
- Bananas
- Chocolate chips &
- Coconut oil
*plus any toppings you’d like to add like peanut butter (my favorite) or sprinkles!
I’ll be 100% honest, my banana bites method IS a couple more steps than some other frozen banana bites recipes out there. This recipe is certainly not an adaptation of any other blogger recipe, this method and recipe was formed by my desperation for sweets in college and inability to go a grocery store at the time (too far + not enough time, haha).
However, I did have someone say to me, “yeah, I’ve seen recipes for these before, don’t you just dip the banana slice in chocolate then freeze them afterwards?” I didn’t believe it until I Googled and found that other bloggers have similar recipes, but a different preparation style. I since have tried out that method, which does work, but here’s why I freeze my bananas before dipping into melted chocolate: often the reason I’m freezing my bananas is because they are on the verge of being TOO ripe. When you take a very ripe banana and dip it into warm chocolate then it turns soft and becomes hard to toss in the chocolate. So, by the time you lay it on your freezing mat it is mush. This is why I stick to my original method. 🙂
Directions:
I typically slice and freeze 3 bananas at a time. I do let them get pretty ripe (as shown in the picture of this post) because I prefer their developed flavor versus a more underripe green-y tasting banana.
Once I slice & freeze them, I let them hang out in the freezer for a good 4-6 + hours (of course overnight is always best).
When I’m ready to give them a chocolate dip, I measure the 3/4 cup of chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl, add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, then microwave for 30-45 seconds (depending on how strong your microwave is).
Remove the bowl from the microwave and give it a whisk until the chocolate and oil bind together and are a silky smooth consistency.
Then, plop 2-3 banana slices in the chocolate sauce and give them a flip once or twice so that they are coated with chocolate. Place the chocolate-covered banana bites on the same freezer mat (I use a plastic cutting board like the one below). Repeat this with all of the banana bites.
If you want to add a little pizzaz to the banana bites, I like to drizzle peanut butter or shake some sprinkles onto them. If you’re a peanut butter fan like me, I really love PB2 for drizzling. PB2 is one of my favorite peanut butters out there because you can add it straight into a smoothie or any recipe you want to add peanut butter flavor. I works well for our drizzle because you can make the peanut butter just a tad runnier than you normally would so that it’s easier to drip over the banana slices.
Another benefit to freezing the banana bites before dipping in chocolate is that the chocolate starts to harden onto the slices right away, so drizzling peanut butter or adding any other topping is easier and doesn’t melt together with the chocolate.
If you want to be an eager beaver about serving these babies as a pool or picnic snack, just slice and freeze them first thing in the morning. Then, give them a dip in chocolate in the afternoon, and then let them chill at least one to two more hours before serving to friends.
Easy as that!
A couple other notes/tips:
- You can make these banana bites SUPER healthy and even lower-sugar by using stevia-sweetened chocolate chips like Lily’s. I love their chocolate because it always satisfies my chocolate craving without exploding my sugar intake for the day.
- You could use another neutral-flavored oil like grapeseed or canola and the chips will melt the same. However, coconut is my preference and recommendation for the healthy fat properties and the sweeter taste.
- You could also melt down your chips and oil in a double boiler if you do not prefer to microwave. It will just take much longer to melt down…
I hope you enjoy! These little banana bites are excellent treats to serve your girlfriends for a gal’s night in, picnic or pool party (just keep in a cooler!), OR just to have around for when you need a little something sweet without busting your calorie or sugar intake for the day.
If you make this recipe or have questions about the process, let me know! Comment below, shoot me an email, or DM on Insta. I’d love to hear from you!
Here’s to easy treats that don’t bust your bikini meal prep… 😉 Cheers!
- 3 bananas
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- Optional: peanut butter (to drizzle as topping), sprinkles, or nuts
- Slice bananas into half inch rounds and place onto a cutting board or wax paper.
- Let them freeze flat for 4-6 + hours.
- When they've had ample freezing time, microwave 3/4 cup chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon coconut oil.
- Whisk chocolate + oil until smooth.
- Drop 3-4 banana slices in chocolate sauce and flip a few times until they are completely coated with chocolate.
- Place back onto cutting board or wax paper an freeze an additional 1-2 + hours.
- When ready to enjoy, take out of the freezer and serve immediately.
- *If desired, drizzle with peanut butter, sprinkles, or nuts onto chocolate-covered slices before the final freezing.
Mary Leigh says
These look DELICIOUS! Double win, because I can share them with my toddler! Thank you for sharing this!
Mallory says
YAY!! So excited that your little one can enjoy these as well! They would be super fun to make together. 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Mary!
Kate says
These sound AMAZING! I’m always looking for new healthy snack ideas, and you can never go wrong with bananas and chocolate! 🙂
Mallory says
Thanks so much Kate!! Give them a try sometime! Super easy and satisfying! 🙂
Tiffany Haywood says
These look and sound delicious!!! I think anything frozen is the perfect treat for summer but add in being bikini approved and yeah Im convinced.
Mallory says
Thank you Tiffany!! They are perfect for our NC summer heat. I hope you get to give them a try sometime! 🙂
Helen says
These look delicious! And bikinin approved?? Yes, please! I am going to try these out ASAP!
Mallory says
I know, right?! Best of both worlds! I hope you LOVE these! Thanks so much for the comment! 🙂
Dominique says
These look crazy delicious…and so easy! Thanks for sharing! *throws cookies in trash*
Mallory says
Haha these banana bites better feel honored for a cookie trashing! Thanks so much Dominique, I hope you love them!!
Carrie Ditton says
This a perfect snack. My daughter is in competitive cheer and she wants me to make enough for the entire cheer squad. Happy and healthy cant beat that!
Mallory says
That’s so awesome!! This will be an excellent energizing snack! I used to Cheer – so fun!
Jenn says
These do sound bikini friendly. I have been trying to eat healthy lately and this seems perfect!
Mallory says
Thanks so much Jenn! They’re a healthy option for that sweet something you’re craving! 🙂
Summer @ Coffee With Summer says
YEP. Totally making these – they look amazing!!!
Mallory says
YAY! Thanks Summer!! I hope you get to give this recipe a whirl + you love them!
Thena says
These look delicious and very yummy! Great alternative when that sweet tooth kicks in!
Mallory says
Thanks so much!They’re one of my favorite sweet treats!
Caitlin + Dani says
These look fantastic! Going to make these asap!
Mallory says
Thanks so much! I hope you love them!
Carly says
Oh. my. gosh. I seriously am making these asap!! I have a terrible sweet tooth, but am very health cautious. I am always looking for healthy sweet treats! Thank you!!
Mallory says
I have a terrible sweet teeth as well Carly! These little babies keep me from eating multiple chocolate bars when the cravings hit. I hope you enjoy!