Easy Homemade Chocolate Covered Bananas
These Chocolate Covered Bananas are my favorite way to keep a “healthy-ish” ice cream alternative on hand for those sweltering hot summer days. When you freeze a banana half and dunk it into a smooth chocolate coating, it takes on this incredibly creamy, rich texture that’s almost exactly like a high-end frozen novelty!
A Little Kitchen Kindness Goes a Long Way
I’ve always felt that the best recipes are the ones that remind us to slow down and enjoy the little things. These chocolate-covered bananas take me right back to those summer afternoons where the only thing on the agenda was deciding between a little crunch from chopped pecans or a handful of colorful sprinkles.
It all starts with a few ripe bananas. For that perfectly snappy chocolate coating, I usually reach for a simple almond bark or a bag of chocolate chips mixed with a little coconut oil to help it stay smooth. All it takes is a couple freezes, some assembly, and then you’re free to let the kids go wild with a variety of toppings. It’s a super simple treat that’s light on the wallet and much better for the soul than the processed stuff from the grocery store.
If you’re looking for more ways to stock your freezer with homemade wins, you definitely need to check out my Stuffed French Toast Sticks next!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bananas
- Wooden sticks (can use plastic forks in their place or leave them out entirely)
- Orange juice (optional)
- Chocolate
- Toppings (sprinkles, nuts, etc.)
How ripe should my bananas be?
You want them yellow and sweet, but still firm enough to hold onto a popsicle stick without sliding off.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Bananas
1. Prep and Stick
Peel your bananas and cut each one in half. Roll each banana half in a little bowl of orange juice to keep them looking fresh. Push a popsicle stick into the cut end of each half.
2. The First Freeze
Place the bananas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. I usually give them at least 2–3 hours, but overnight is even better.
3. Melt Your Chocolate
Melt your chocolate coating or chocolate chips in the microwave in 45-second intervals, stirring well in between each one. You want it smooth and creamy. If you’re using chocolate chips, adding a little coconut oil helps create that snappy chocolate shell we’re looking for.
4. The Fun Part: Dipping!
Dip your frozen banana directly into the melted chocolate or use a spoon to coat it well. The chocolate will start to harden almost instantly because the banana is so cold, so move quickly!
5. Add a Little Crunch
While the chocolate is still wet, roll the banana in your nuts or sprinkles. Place them back on the parchment paper and slide them back into the freezer for a few minutes to finish setting.
Tips for the Perfect Frozen Banana
- The OJ Hack: A quick dunk in a small bowl of orange juice is my favorite trick for keeping the fruit from turning brown without that sour lemon tang.
- Use a Narrow Jar: Use a narrow glass jar or a tall measuring cup for your chocolate mixture. This makes it much easier to submerge the whole banana half without needing a massive amount of chocolate.
- Avoid the Drip: After dipping, hold the banana over the jar for a second or two to let any excess chocolate drip off. This prevents a big puddle of chocolate from forming on your baking sheet.
- Double Up: If you have a lot of bananas hitting that “too ripe” stage, go ahead and prep a big batch. Once they are frozen solid and dipped, they stay great in an airtight container for weeks.
How to Make Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites
If you’re looking for a quick snack rather than a full dessert, go for chocolate-covered banana bites. These are basically the homemade version of those famous treats you’d find at Trader Joe’s, but you get to pick the chocolate! Just peel your ripe bananas and cut them into thick banana slices (about a half-inch each). Line them up on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and freeze until they’re solid.
Once they’re firm, use a fork to dunk each little slice into your melted chocolate. Since these are bite-sized, the chocolate coating sets up almost instantly, so don’t wait to add a little crunch of nuts or sprinkles. After a quick dip, pop the baking sheet back into the freezer to let the shell finish hardening.
Once they’re set, toss them into an airtight container for a “grab-and-go” snack that’s perfect for a quick sweet fix!
Storage and Leftovers
Once the chocolate is set, you can wrap each banana in cling wrap or tuck your banana bites into a large zipper-seal bag. They are best enjoyed straight from the freezer on a hot day. If they’ve been in there a long time and feel too hard, just let them sit on the counter for about two minutes before you take a bite!
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas firm, with no major brown spots
- 1/2 cup orange juice optional, to prevent browning
- 8 popsicle sticks
Chocolate Coating
- 1 pound chocolate almond bark or 2 cups chocolate chips mixed with 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- Toppings: Chopped nuts sprinkles, or toasted coconut
Instructions
- Peel your bananas and cut each one in half crosswise. If you’re worried about them turning brown while you work, give each half a quick roll in a small bowl of orange juice.
- Carefully push a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana half, about halfway up.
- Place the bananas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for at least 3 hours (or overnight) until they are frozen solid. This is the most important step; the chocolate won’t stick to a room-temperature banana!
- In a narrow glass jar or microwave-safe bowl, melt your chocolate almond bark in 45-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth and creamy. If using chocolate chips and coconut oil, melt them together using the same method.
- Take the frozen bananas out of the freezer. Dip each one into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip back into the jar. While the chocolate is still wet, quickly roll it in your favorite toppings like nuts or sprinkles.
- Place the dipped bananas back onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet. The chocolate shell will harden almost instantly.
- Once set, you can eat them immediately or move them into an airtight container or zipper-seal bag in the freezer for a quick treat whenever the craving hits.
Chocolate covered Bananas.. Awesome! Thanks for the recipe.
Did I tell you how nice your hair looks today? And I love the way your blog matches your eyes!
I absolutely love your quotes that you share with us and can I tell you that sometimes they are they highlight of my day. I have a son that is a young man with autism and I must tell you I would love someone to stop and tell him or/and I how nice he looks or what a beautiful smile he has, instead of the stares people give us or purposely turning away. I know they don’t realize it at the time, but those looks hurt him so much. Thank you for reminding me how much a kind word can mean.
And can I ask how long the bananas will stay good in the freezer? Thanks!
i know what you mean. My son is affected as well. He has such a good heart,but seldom hears it. If we all do this,it will eventually come around, right?
My absolutely favorite Summer treat at the ocean. Now I know how simple it can be I will make my own at home.
Your right it doesn’t take much to make someone else’s day. A simple smile or kind word. Makes you feel better too.
I don’t know how many times I’ve told my child “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” LOL Thanks for reminding us that if we think something nice… we should say it and brighten someone’s day.
As for the bananas…. YUM! I’m trying to watch my intake of sweets right now… but with this HOT & MUGGY weather we’ve been having in South Georgia, I just crave something cold… like ice cream. These would be a great alternative. I have everything in my pantry, too… including chocolate and sprinkles.
Hey… I said I was WATCHING my intake of sweets. Not eliminating it. *wink*
btw… did you know you can also dip your bananas in a little bit of a lemon lime soda to keep them from turning brown? Just a little tip I learned a long time ago. I don’t like the bitterness that lemon juice adds, either.
Thanks for another great recipe, Christy!
Oh yeah, and how sweet is Brady?! You have the most lovely children.
Thank you so much!!!! I look at that little face of his and just fall in love every time. He has the cutest freckles, too!
Not that I’m biased, mind you ~winks~
Christy, I love your stories and when you “get on your soapbox.” I’ve never felt like you’re lecturing or anything. I adore your recipes but your blog wouldn’t be the same without everything else you write 🙂
As for the actual recipe, those bananas are so cute! I used to work at a place that sold frozen chocolate covered bananas so have made a lot of them, but we never used the OJ. What a good idea! Does it make them taste a little orangey? Yum! We also only dipped them in nuts and shredded coconut. Should’ve done sprinkles! Unfortunately, I won’t be making this recipe because I’m not a huge fan of how frozen nanners taste, but I think they’re just the cutest things ever and wish I did like them. I need to find some kids to make them for! They remind me of an Austrian/German specialty, Schokobananen. A cookie with some fluffy creamy stuff on it, then half a banana, then chocolate poured on top, then sprinkles or nuts or coconut. SO GOOD. My host mom in Austria made her cookie part like meringues and folded coconut into the batter too. Haven’t had one in 10 years.
I think we all need to plan a field trip to see your host mom in Austria!!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!!! I can’t tell you how much it means to be to get to hear back from folks and have a conversation.
Oh my, now I want shredded coconut on my banana!
Gratefully,
Christy
YUMM!!! I had “almost forgotten, ” about the chocolate covered frozen delights… my Mama made them… WHAT A TREAT!!! Thanks Christy ; )
Thanks for getting on your soapbox and I LOVED what you had to say! I make it a point to say something nice to someone when I go into places. Sometimes even just smiling and saying “hello”. What a difference it makes!
Off to make some frozen chocolate covered bananas and grateful to have you on my side.
“People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said . . . but they will always remember how you made them feel.”
Hey!! You make my day every time I see your name pop up here. Thank you!!!