Indulge in a delicious frozen treat with this easy chocolate covered banana recipe. Dip in a simple two-ingredient chocolate sauce for a crisp shell, but you can easily add your favorite toppings for a customizable dessert.
Recipe Science
- Dipping bananas in melted chocolate creates a hard shell upon cooling, as the chocolate solidifies due to the crystallization of cocoa butter.
- The contrast between the cold banana and the hard chocolate shell enhances the eating experience by providing a satisfying crunch followed by the creamy texture of the banana.
- Freezing the bananas before dipping helps the chocolate set quickly and evenly, preventing the fruit from becoming mushy and maintaining its firm texture.
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Why It Works
This frozen sweet treat is popular at carnivals, fairs, or beachside stands. But wait in line when you can make chocolate-covered bananas at home! Like fruit popsicles, this delicious healthy dessert cools you down on a hot day.
There are a few key steps to ensure the right texture and flavor. Properly freezing the banana is critical. For this recipe, I use my magic shell ice cream chocolate sauce as the dip, which yields an irresistibly crisp coating. Using three simple ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have homemade chocolate-dipped bananas. The best part is that they are easy to customize!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bananas: Select ripe bananas, but ensure no soft, mushy spots. Use medium size, about 7 to 8 inches, for a two-serving piece. Smaller 5 to 6-inch can be used.
- Chocolate: Use your favorite type of chocolate chips for the coating. I prefer semi-sweet dark chocolate for its balanced sweetness and bitter cocoa taste. Chopped chocolate bars can also be used; you’ll need 1 cup.
- Coconut Oil: Add refined coconut oil to the chocolate for a thin and crisp banana coating. Unrefined coconut oil can be used but will have a more robust coconut flavor.
- Toppings: This is optional! However, chopped types of nuts like peanuts or almonds are a classic topping. Using lightly salted nuts adds a delicious contrast to the sweet chocolate. Sprinkles, crushed cookies, small candies, caramel sauce, or peanut butter are colorful and tasty options.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
The best part about making homemade chocolate covered bananas is you can customize the flavors! Try these delicious variations to switch up the chocolate or toppings:
- Chocolate: Try white chocolate, milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate between 60 and 70% cocoa for a bittersweet flavor on the coating. Try ruby chocolate for a berry-colored dip.
- Flavoring: Add vanilla, banana, coconut, almond, hazelnut, or peppermint extract to flavor the chocolate coating.
- Nuts: Add chopped peanuts, pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts, or shredded coconut (it tastes delicious toasted!).
- Cookies: Crush graham crackers, Oreos, chocolate wafers, nilla wafers, and crispy chocolate chip cookies to coat the outside of the banana.
- Sauce: Drizzle caramel sauce, marshmallow fluff, white or dark chocolate, or melted peanut butter or almond butter over the chocolate coating, then freeze to harden.
- Candy: Mini M&M’s or chocolate chips, toffee bits, colorful sprinkles like jimmies or nonpareils, or crushed candy canes.
- Fruit: Freeze-dried and chopped strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or pineapple.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Bananas
Step 1: Prepare the Bananas
Peel the bananas, then cut them in half crosswise to yield two pieces, about 4 inches long. I find this to be an excellent individual portion size. Use a lollipop or popsicle stick to make a handle for dipping and eating. Insert it into the cut side of the fruit, making sure not to push it through the other side.
Step 2: Freeze the Bananas
To properly freeze the bananas, add a piece of parchment or waxed paper on a baking sheet to prevent sticking. Immediately place the prepared bananas on the baking sheet, lining them up so they do not touch.
Freeze the bananas until they are solid, about 2 to 4 hours, depending on size. They must become hardened entirely, or they will defrost too quickly after dipping and release too much liquid, tasting mushy.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate
Combine chocolate chips with coconut oil to make the chocolate coating.
Microwave on the high setting in 15-second intervals and stirring in between. It only takes about 1 minute or so to achieve a glossy sauce.
Do not let the mixture go over 100ºF (38ºC); it can lose the characteristic taste or become burnt in flavor. Cool the sauce to room temperature, 73 to 80ºF (23 to 27ºC). You don’t want it to defrost the outside of the banana.
Step 4: Dip the Frozen Bananas
Transfer the melted chocolate to a tall glass or jar that can fit ¾ cup of sauce. Working one at a time, dip the frozen banana into the chocolate sauce. Lift, quickly shaking off the excess.
Immediately grab a handful of chopped peanuts or desired topping and sprinkle it over the coating. Do not roll the bananas in the toppings, or it will create a mess! The magic shell will turn from glossy to matte within a minute. Once that happens, the topping won’t stick.
Pro Tip: I use a highball glass for serving mojitos. The narrow volume ensures that the long pieces get entirely coated. Tip the glass as there is less sauce to use. It’s essential to work quickly and have your dipping station ready. If using nuts, chop them and have them ready to sprinkle.
Step 5: Ready to Serve
For the best texture, enjoy the frozen chocolate covered bananas right away. However, if you do not serve them immediately, freeze them on a baking sheet to harden the chocolate shell and prevent the bananas from defrosting.
If the ice melts, the fruit will become soft and mushy and fall off the stick. Store them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag for up to one month. The bananas do not have to be defrosted before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! If you want a quick sweet treat, dip fresh bananas in the chocolate sauce, adding toppings if desired. Place them on a parchment paper lined sheet pan, and freeze for 5 minutes to harden the coating.
Avoid adding any water when melting chocolate. The moisture will cause it to seize up and become clumpy, making it unusable chocolate dip. Do not overheat it! Over 120ºF (49ºC), the chocolate will have a burnt flavor and cause the cacao solids and fat to separate.
Eat within 20 minutes of removing them from the freezer. Once the bananas defrost, they taste mushy, and the chocolate separates from the fruit. They will last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Add coconut oil to the chocolate. If the chocolate chips are melted and the fruit is dipped, the coating texture will be too thick and have a hard surface. The fat helps to thin out the consistency of the cocoa solids for a crisp bite. Coconut oil turns solid around 74 to 76ºF (23 to 24ºC), so it will quickly firm the chocolate coating once it touches the frozen fruit.
Serving Suggestions
There are different ways to serve the chocolate-dipped bananas to make it a fun handheld treat. Try these ideas:
- If you prefer to make chocolate-covered banana bites, slice the bananas into 1/2-inch thick rounds for petite indulgent treats.
- Use a popsicle stick to make them easy to grab. Paper straws work well too!
- Add a lollipop or cake pop stick and wrap it in a plastic bag with a colorful twist tie to serve for parties or as a gift to make it easy to grab. Colorful paper straws or short
- To catch any toppings or chocolate pieces when eating, poke a paper cupcake liner through the stick. I do this with popsicles for my kids; it’s less of a drippy mess!
More Banana Recipes
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Chocolate Covered Bananas
Ingredients
- 6 bananas, ripe, 7 to 8"
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup refined coconut oil
- 1 cup lightly salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Bananas – Peel and cut them in half crosswise to make two pieces. Insert a lollipop stick or popsicle stick into the cut side of each banana to make a handle for dipping.
- Freeze the Bananas – Transfer the bananas to a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Make sure that they do not touch. Freeze until hardened, about 2 to 4 hours.
- Melt the Chocolate – In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave on high setting in 15-second intervals until melted, stirring in between. The process takes about 60 to 75 seconds. Do not allow the mixture to go above 100ºF (38ºC).Allow the chocolate sauce to cool to room temperature, between 73 to 80ºF (23 to 27ºC). Use an instant-read thermometer to test.
- Dip and Coat – Transfer the chocolate sauce to a tall narrow cup or jar that can hold ¾ cup of sauce. Place the nuts or topping on a plate so it's easy to grab and sprinkle.Dip the frozen banana into the chocolate sauce. Tip the glass if needed to get the coating higher up the sides. Allow excess to drip off, then quickly sprinkle with the nuts, turning and sprinkling to evenly coat.Work fast! Once the chocolate sauce touches the frozen banana, it will harden within a minute. Place on the sheet pan and allow it to dry while dipping the remaining pieces.
- To Serve – Enjoy immediately, or transfer them to the freezer. Do not allow the bananas to defrost, or they will become mushy and release their juices.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Recipe Yield: 6 bananas
- Banana Size: Use medium (7 to 8-inch) long bananas if cut in half. For longer pieces, buy smaller (5 to 6-inch) long fruit. Slice off ½ inch from the tip of one side to make it easier to add the stick.
- Storing: Store in the freezer in a container or resealable plastic bag for up to 1 month.
- Smaller Bites: Slice the bananas into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Use a toothpick or fork to dip into the chocolate, then sprinkle with toppings.
- Topping Options: Sprinkles, nuts, crushed cookies, small candies like M&M’s, toffee, caramel sauce, mini chips, or peanut butter.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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