What’s more fun than dipping bananas in chocolate and adding all kinds of yummy toppings? Frozen Chocolate Bananas are a fun, whimsical treat that your kids will love to assemble themselves.
These frozen bananas dipped in chocolate are a great summer treat or fun party activity. Bonus: aside from freezing time, you can make these frozen chocolate bananas in about 15 minutes!
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Who doesn’t have a fun memory of enjoying a frozen chocolate banana on a hot day, wiping melted chocolate off a cheek?
I spent a summer manning the frozen banana cart at Magic Mountain back in the day, so I can attest to how popular this treat has been over the years. But, do you have to head to the fairgrounds or amusement park to enjoy such a treat? Why no, no, you don’t.
You can make frozen chocolate bananas at home without too much hassle or chocolate splattered around the kitchen.
Why Make This
It’s easy. When something is as easy as dipping a frozen banana in melted chocolate, you should do it, and do it often. This is a simple recipe that pays off bigtime.
It’s fun. There are so many great combinations of toppings that you can add to the chocolate: chopped nuts, crushed candies, colored sprinkles, shredded coconut, and more. All these make it a super fun recipe to share with friends and family.
It’s delicious! The classic combination of banana and chocolate is generations strong and worth enjoying on the regular.
Ingredients
To make frozen chocolate bananas, you’ll need the following ingredients:
bananas – Choose bananas that are ripe but not overly so. Too mushy a banana will melt into an oozy mess as you’re eating it. Save your brown bananas for other uses.
chocolate chips – You can use any kind of chips that you like, though dark or semi-sweet will give you the best results.
coconut oil – Coconut oil is what helps the chocolate solidify once cool. You don’t need a lot, but it’s not something you want to omit.
lollipop or popsicle sticks (not pictured) – You’ll need some kind of stick to hold onto the banana, else the chocolate will just melt in your hand. I found my bamboo sticks at Walmart, but Amazon has them here.
toppings – Toppings are optional, but things like sprinkles, toffee bits, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut add a fun flair to your frozen bananas. That said, Plain frozen chocolate bananas are just as good.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Before you dip the bananas in chocolate, you’ll need to do a little prep work. Grab a cookie sheet that will fit in your freezer, parchment paper, a knife, lollipop sticks, and bananas. Line the tray with parchment paper. Cut each banana in half, cut crosswise through the middle. Insert a stick into the flat end of each banana. Place the bananas on the prepared tray and place them in the freezer until firm, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, lay out the toppings on small plates and prepare the chocolate coating. Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe dish. Heat for 30-second intervals until melted. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool slightly. Transfer the chocolate into a thin drinking glass. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and oil in a double boiler.
- Dip each banana into the chocolate to coat. Because of this quickly-firming chocolate, you’ll need to dip quickly into the toppings. If you dawdle, the chocolate may firm up too quickly for the toppings to adhere.
- If desired, sprinkle on toppings. Use a plate to catch the over-sprinkle so that you can reuse it on other bananas. This also makes it easier to clean up. Place the dipped and coated banana on the tray. When all have been dipped, return the tray to the freezer until the toppings are set.
Instructions for Banana Bites
If you prefer, you can make banana bites. Simply, slice the bananas and freeze them until firm. Then using toothpicks to grab the slices, dip them in the chocolate and sprinkle with toppings. Freezer until firm.
Frozen Chocolate Bananas and the Banana Bites can both be frozen, for up to a week, in a covered container in the freezer.
Tips for Success
Yes, it’s better to use frozen bananas. This will help the chocolate firm up quickly, resulting in less mess.
Yes, you should use a tall, thin vessel for holding the chocolate, like a glass measuring cup or a drinking glass. This helps achieve better coverage on the long, skinny banana.
Yes, you can make banana bites (chocolate-covered slices) if you prefer something smaller for portion control or something easier for very little kids to eat. Slice the banana and lay out the slices so that they aren’t touching on the parchment lined tray. Once they are frozen, use a toothpick to dip them in the chocolate and roll in the toppings.
Recipe Costs
Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.
- bananas – $0.30
- chocolate chips – $1.00
- coconut oil – $0.25
- toppings – Prices may vary
When shopped at a mid-range grocery store at non sale prices, a batch of four frozen bananas costs about $1.55 or about 39 cents each!
By contrast, a package of five frozen bananas in the freezer section costs $4.99, or about a buck a piece. Making your own is easy, fun, and cheaper!
More Banana Recipes
Tell us what you think!
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How to Make Frozen Chocolate Bananas
Equipment
- heavy duty sheet pan
- parchment paper
- chef's knife
- lollipop sticks
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas peeled
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
Optional Toppings
- colored sprinkles
- Heath Toffee Bits
- chopped nuts
- sunflower seeds or sesame seeds
- granola
- shredded coconut
- mini chocolate chips or shaved chocolate
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Cut each banana in half across the middle. Place a popsicle or lollipop stick into the flat end of each banana piece. Lay these out on the lined tray and freeze until very firm, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile in a glass measuring cup, combine the chocolate chips and the coconut oil. Place this mixture in the microwave and heat at 30-second intervals, until the chocolate is melted. Stir well to combine. Allow to cool slightly. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate with the oil in a double boiler on the stove.
- Place the toppings on small plates. Place several empty plates nearby.
- Remove the bananas from the freezer. Dip each banana in the chocolate mixture and quickly sprinkle on the toppings. Hold the chocolate-dipped banana over the empty plate and sprinkle. The empty plate will catch any over-sprinkle so that you can reuse it on the next banana. Lay each banana back on the parchment-lined tray once coated.
- Freeze the bananas again until the chocolate and toppings are firm. Serve or store the bananas in a covered container in the freezer, for up to a week.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2010. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Alice
Is there something that I can substitute for the Coconut Oil that will give it the same consistency? I’m allergic to coconut. 🙁
Jessica Fisher
Yes, you can use lard, Crisco, or any other fat that is solid at room temperature.
Emily
Just did this today with my birthday boy (he’s three). We threw in a few strawberries, too. Major yum!
Jessica Fisher
Sounds great!
Ammie @ domesticallyobsessed.com
Your kids must be the luckiest. You are that “cool” mom that all the other kids on the block wish was theirs. Awesome post! I swear, I find a new little treasure of a post EVERY TIME I’m here. Love ya, FishMama!!!!!
Jessica Fisher
You are very kind. I have my cool moments, mostly I’m just the bossy one who makes them work.
Christi {Jealous Hands}
What a fun idea!
Sherry
Why do you add coconut oil?
Jessica Fisher
It helps the chocolate harden.
Tammy
You have such cute kids.Loved the choc covered bananas.We will try that one. As a mother again (48) of 4 adopted kids and waiting on 3 more (find out within this month) I’m always looking for fun stuff to do.Just picked up at Target Family fun Dinnertime mag. you all might want to check out.
AllieZirkle
Id’ never thought of actually making chocolate covered bananas. I’ll have to check out the books. Sound cute!
Molly
Mmm, bananas and chocolate omnomnomnomnom… yum. I’m surprised they made it to the freezer – don’t think that would happen in my house!
Susie's Homemade
I need to work on Yes.
JessieLeigh
Aw… sniff, sniff… you called FishBaby “FishChick1”. She’s growing up on us.
AllieZirkle
@JessieLeigh, Totally what I was thinking!!! And now she’s part of the Little Kiddos! SOO sweet for sure!
Christine
I love this idea! I will be on the look out for the smallest bananas I can find for my 3yr and 21 month old and the book from the library. Thanks for sharing your experiance we moms often get wrapped up in the unimportant when we need to be wrapped up in the littele things with our kids. I can always use the reminder that these days will not last long.
Jen @ Little Bit This n That
How did you know that we’re going to the library tonight? Ha! I am going to look for this book and pick up some popscicle sticks over lunch today. Thanks!
Ellen
My children loved when we attempted these. I’m thinking they might work in banana rounds (slices) too…smaller to handle. You’re kids are so cute! Chick1’s expression in that top photo is great…’Wow, Mom! You mean now???’
Ellen
@Ellen, Did I really say ‘You’re’ kids? Where’s the Spelling Police when you need them? I meant ‘your’. 🙂
Aimee
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to making these with my lil’ monkeys.
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
What a fun project with the kids! I am so going to have to do this! Thanks!
Diana
I’ve got three little girls (5, 4, and 1)that will LOVE this! I sent our last banana with hubby to work today but we might have to swing by the market on the way back from Lowes today to grab some more @.19 cents a lbs!! :):)
niki
Awwww, I had completely forgotten about those! My mom made them lots and lots when I was a kid.
I feel the need to make them with my kiddo this week. Thanks for the memory jog!
🙂
Monica
What a fun activity!! I did this with my kids on a whim last summer, and they loved it!