Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites

Ingredients

This simple recipe uses only a few ingredients that are easy to find in your grocery stores. You'll find the exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.

• Bananas: Choose ripe bananas that hold their shape. They should be sweet and flavorful, but still firm enough to hold their shape.
• Peanut Butter: Use your favorite creamy peanut butter or opt for almond butter. I don't recommend natural or fresh peanut butter as they contain too much oil.
• Dark Chocolate: I recommend Ghirardelli's 72% cacao for its rich, intense flavor. It's the best chocolate for frozen bananas. It melts beautifully and complements the sweetness of the bananas. You can also use dark chocolate chips or opt for milk chocolate chips.
• Shortening: Adding shortening creates a smoother consistency, a shinier finish, and makes the chocolate coating easier to work with. If you don't mind a slight coconut flavor, you can also opt for a bit of coconut oil in place of shortening.
• Topping: I used nuts, coconut flakes, and sprinkles but you can use just about anything. See the section below for sweet and salty topping ideas.

How to make frozen chocolate peanut butter banana bites

1. Slice bananas about ¼" wide and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
2. Spread a small amount of peanut butter on half of the slices.
3. Top with the remaining banana slices.
4. Freeze the chocolate covered banana bites for several hours or until frozen solid.

5. Place chopped chocolate and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl.
6. Melt chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
7. Remove frozen chocolate-covered bananas from freezer. Dip a toothpick into the melted chocolate then spear a banana bite.
8. Dip the banana bite into the warm chocolate mixture then set back onto the parchment paper. If using, sprinkle toppings immediately. Chocolate will harden quickly so you need to act fast.

Recipe tips

Chop the Chocolate Finely: For best results and fast, even melting, make sure to chop the chocolate into small pieces. This helps it melt more smoothly and prevents any lumps.

Dip the Fork in Chocolate First: Before dipping the bananas, coat your fork or toothpick in a bit of chocolate. This trick ensures that the banana slices get full coverage and makes it easier to coat them evenly.

Freeze Bananas Thoroughly: Make sure the banana peanut butter bites are fully frozen before dipping them in chocolate. This helps the chocolate set quickly and gives the bananas that yummy ice cream-like texture.

Work Quickly: When dipping the banana bites in chocolate, work quickly to avoid the chocolate cooling and hardening before you've coated all the slices. If needed, reheat the chocolate in short bursts to keep it smooth.

Topping ideas and flavor variations

One of the best parts about making Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas is trying a variety of toppings! Whether you have a sweet tooth, crave something salty, or want a different flavor, there are so many ways to make them even more delicious.

Sweet

For those who love a sweet finish, these are my favorite variations on toppings:

• Coconut Flakes: Add a tropical twist with a sprinkle of shredded coconut. It pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate.
• Unsalted Nuts: Chopped almonds, pecans, pistachios, or walnuts add a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavor.
• Granola: A handful of granola gives a crunchy, wholesome topping that's perfect for a more hearty snack.
• Sprinkles: Brighten up your treats with colorful sprinkles. They're fun and add a little extra sweetness.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Double up on the chocolatey goodness with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.
• Chopped Cookies: Crumbled cookies like Oreos or graham crackers add crunch and extra sweetness.
• Peanut Butter Drizzle: Make it extra peanutty by melting some peanut butter chips and drizzling it over the bananas.
• White Chocolate Drizzle: For a beautiful contrast, drizzle with melted white chocolate. To make the drizzle, simply melt the chips in the microwave, place the melted chocolate in a plastic zip-top bag, cut a small corner off, and squeeze to drizzle over the bananas.

Salty

If you love a sweet and salty combo, these toppings are sure to hit the spot:

• Chopped Bacon: A sprinkle of crispy, chopped bacon adds a salty crunch that pairs well with chocolate.
• Salted Nuts: Use salted nuts for an extra punch of flavor and a satisfying salty-sweet contrast.
• Sea Salt Flakes: A light sprinkle of sea salt flakes enhances the chocolate's flavor.
• Chopped Pretzels: Crushed pretzels add a crunchy, salty bite that complements the creamy banana and rich chocolate.

Flavors

For a twist on the classic chocolate-covered banana, try adding about ¼ teaspoon of your favorite extract to the melted chocolate before dipping the bananas to give them a burst of extra flavor.

• Almond Extract: A few drops add a warm, nutty flavor that pairs well with dark chocolate.
• Mint Extract: For a refreshing twist, add a touch of mint extract to the chocolate. It's like a frozen mint-chocolate treat!
• Vanilla Extract: A classic choice, vanilla extract enhances the sweetness of the chocolate.

How to store chocolate covered bananas and how long they last

To keep your frozen chocolate peanut butter banana bites fresh and delicious, place them in a freezer-safe, airtight container or zip-top bag after they have set. They'll last for up to 3 months.

And if you love bananas as much as I do, check out more of my recipes with bananas.