Snacks can be both delightfully tasty AND not loaded with sugar and additives. This chocolate covered banana bites recipe is the best of both worlds: super simple + real ingredients. It’s really the perfect blend of chocolate, protein and sweetness for a great snack.
Make ahead of time and toss in the beach cooler, or whip up in the morning for a perfect under-the-stars movie snack that evening… This is one treat everyone can enjoy!
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How to Make Chocolate Covered Banana Bites
While this recipe does take a bit of time for everything to freeze up properly, it’s actually super simple to make. You only need 4 ingredients to create this indulgent snack: bananas, chocolate chips, almond butter, and coconut oil.
If you’re nervous about the coconut flavor coming through, don’t be! I honestly can’t taste the oil, and it’s added for function instead of taste in these banana bites.
A few tips: Try to cut your bananas in even slices, so they are easy to coat on both sides. It’s okay if you don’t quite get 30 slices; I know bananas come in all different lengths! If your almond butter is hard to spread, try whipping it up first with an immersion blender. I learned this tip a while ago, and have loved the way it makes my almond butter spread and how creamy it is in my mouth.
Filling options for banana bites
I love using almond butter in this fun recipe because it’s nutty, creamy, and a healthy fat boost. Yet, there are tons of great options for your chocolate covered banana bites! Here are my top picks:
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)
- Cashew butter
- Sunflower butter
If you’ve got a great filling idea, share it in the comments below! I love how creative ya’ll are, and I’m bet you’ll make some absolutely delicious bites.
Best chocolate for coating
To keep this recipe vegan, I suggest using Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips or Tollhouse Allergen-Free Chocolate Chips. Trader Joe’s also recently came out with a dairy-free chocolate chip option. If you’re not vegan, feel free to use traditional chocolate chips– they will work just as well.
If you need a sugar free option then look at Lilly’s dark chocolate baking chips. Do you have a fav chocolate chip brand? I’d love to know about it; I’m all for trying new brands and falling in love with new products. These banana bites will be delicious no matter what kind of chocolate you use, so choose your fav and get ready to indulge!
Simple + healthier snacking options
I often snack throughout the day as opposed to eating 3 larger meals. I eat to break up my day in between work and errands, so I need something to provide sustaining energy vs just satisfy my sweet tooth. These snack recipes are all great options for you to have on hand, and will nutritionally make you feel better about snacking:
Sweet snack options
- Apple ‘donuts’
- Homemade granola bars
- Strawberry almond butter muffins
- Vegan ‘yogurt’ parfaits
- Lemon fat bombs
- Fruit leather
Savory snack options
Whether you’re feeling sweet or savory, these snacks will cover you the whole day through.
FAQs
Yes! If you use the right ingredients, this snack can be both delicious and good-for-you. I choose almond butter with super simple ingredients (and no added sugar) as well as chocolate chips that are allergen friendly and also made with 100% real ingredients.
My recipe uses almond butter because it is both a healthy fat and flavorful option. Yet use whatever filling you want! Any kind of nut or seed butter can be used, just look at the ingredients to pick the best option for you.
The chocolate ‘sauce’ needs the coconut oil to create a shell-like casing. This helps them harden properly around the banana sandwiches as well as stay hard when taken out of the freezer.
Chocolate Covered Banana Bites
Equipment
- freezer
Ingredients
- 2 bananas sliced into circles
- 5 tablespoons almond butter I use Barney’s Bare Smooth
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup chocolate chips vegan
Instructions
Prepare Banana Bites
- Place banana slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Top each banana with 1/2 teaspoon of almond butter
- Top with another banana slice to make "sandwiches"
- Freeze for 1 hour
Prepare Chocolate Coating
- Melt coconut oil + chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until completely smooth, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and allow chocolate to come to room temperature, about 5 minutes.
- Dip the frozen banana sandwiches in the chocolate, using a fork, until completely covered. Allow extra chocolate to drip off before setting back on baking sheet
- Place dipped sandwiches back in freezer for 1 hour, or until chocolate has set
- Store in a freezer-safe container until ready to enjoy.
Video
Notes
- These can be stored in freezer for up to 3 months.
- You can use normal chocolate chips, if not vegan.
- Swap out almond butter for any nut, peanut or seed butter of your choice.
- Don’t be afraid to double the batch… these are gonna go fast!
Hi, if I can’t have coconut, do you know an alternative oil that can be used please?
I am not normally a banana fan but if I eat them as a frozen snack… they good 🙂
Planning to make a huge batch of these to keep on hand in the freezer. It will make it so easy to grab a healthier dessert instead of processed junk. Thank you for this recipe!
Such a yummy dessert! Thanks for the fun recipe. 🙂
It’s our joy, Kim!
My carob bits would not melt, so I had to rummage around and found chocolate chips from my baking days. Not sure they were the same, but they are tasty. Any suggestions for melting carob?
These are excellent and easy. I used homemade hazelnut butter b/c it’s so good with chocolate, my favorite dark chocolate bar (melted), and adjusted the coconut oil accordingly. A toothpick worked well for dipping, with a fork to remove the toothpick after chocolate hardens (two alternating toothpicks work well). If doubling recipe, keep half of bananas in freezer while dipping the other half. Once they begin thawing they make a messier sandwich.
Love the tip about holding half of the bananas in the freezer while working with the first half. So glad you shared that kb! And oooooh hazelnut butter. Delish!
So so so good!!!!! 🙂
Perfect snack when you need “just something” at night – YUMMY!
I used almond butter.
This is so simple yet so genius, I love it! Will be making them (with peanut butter) for our road trip!
Love almond butter for these! Pro move, Christine!
I’ve made these before and they are AWESOME!!!! I second using Barney’s Almond Butter if you want it to be as creamy as possible. Thanks for putting these back on my radar– can’t wait to make them and have a quick treat in my freezer. 🙂
Do you think this would work with another fruit? I am not a fan of bananas… yet I like the idea of a chocolate covered frozen treat. I think anything with chocolate has potential. 🙂 I was thinking peaches or maybe even sliced strawberries… yet I’m not sure if the almond butter would work with them. What do you think before I give this a shot?
Awesome question, Sarah! I personally think strawberries would be amazing with the original recipe! If you’d like to try other fruits, yet are concerned about how almond butter would work, def switch it up to peanut, cashew or other nut butter instead. Be sure to come back and let us know which combos you tried and liked best!