Chocolate Covered Banana Popsicles (3 ingredients)
What could be easier than these 3 ingredients Chocolate Covered Banana Popsicles? This is a healthier frozen treat compared to the regular, store-bought popsicles, plus, it tastes heavenly!
Ingredients for these Chocolate Banana pops
This easy recipe needs only 3 simple ingredients, found in any grocery store:
- Overripe Bananas. Bananas serve as the main ingredient, giving a sweet and creamy taste. They’re soft and smooth, still after frozen.
- Chocolate. Chocolate is what covers the bananas. It adds sweetness and creaminess. When it’s frozen, it gets hard enough for the perfect crunch.
- Nuts. Nuts break up the smoothness of the chocolate and the softness of the banana.
Look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Add-ins for these frozen chocolate banana pops
Here are some options for my favorite toppings:
- Dried Fruit: Toss in some chopped dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or apricots for a sweet and chewy addition.
- Shredded Coconut: Roll your chocolate-covered bananas in shredded coconut to add a tropical twist
- Rainbow sprinkles: Make things fun by adding colorful sprinkles for a festive touch, especially if you’re making these for a special occasion or for kids.
- Crushed Cookies: Crush some cookies like graham crackers or digestive biscuits for a crunchy coating with extra flavors like cinnamon or honey.
- Pretzel Bits: Mix in crushed pretzel bits for a salty kick and a satisfying crunch to balance the sweetness.
- Chopped Candies: Throw in small pieces of your favorite candies, like toffee, peanut butter cups, or caramel-filled chocolates, for a burst of flavor.
- White chocolate chips: Cover your bananas in white chocolate chips for a black-and-white banana version.
Substitutions
- Nut-Free Option: If nuts are a no-go, swap them with seeds like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch without the nut allergens.
- Alternative Chocolate: Mix it up by using white chocolate or dark chocolate instead of the usual milk chocolate for a different taste experience.
- Spice Infusion: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon or a dash of cayenne pepper to the chocolate for a subtle spice kick, giving your treats a bit more depth.
- Dairy-free option: Look for high-quality dairy-free chocolate chips or bars. There are many options available that use ingredients like coconut milk or almond milk instead of dairy. Make sure to melt it gently, just like regular chocolate.
How to make this healthy treat
Peel ripe bananas and cut them in half, crosswise. Insert a wooden popsicle stick into each banana, making a banana pop. Place the banana pops on a baking sheet-lined tray or plate.
Put the tray of banana pops in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours, or until the banana pops are completely frozen and firm.
Finely chop your nuts, place them on an extended plate, and set them aside
In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate. You can use a double boiler or melt it in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring frequently. If the chocolate is too thick, you can add a splash of coconut oil to achieve a smooth consistency.
Take the frozen banana pops out of the freezer. Working quickly, dip each banana pop into the melted chocolate, coating it evenly. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off.
Immediately after dipping, roll the chocolate-covered banana pop in the chopped nuts or seeds, ensuring they stick to the chocolate.
Place the chocolate-covered banana pops back on the wax paper-lined tray, making sure they don’t touch each other. This prevents them from sticking together while freezing.
Put the tray back in the freezer and let the chocolate-covered banana pops freeze completely. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
How long can bananas be frozen?
If you want to freeze your bananas with the lollipop stick or bamboo skewer, without dipping them in chocolate or nuts, they can last for up to 6 months if they’re well stored, in an air-tight container and frozen at all times.
Place them on top of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking, and if you want to layer them, place parchment paper in between each layer.
How to melt chocolate for chocolate-covered bananas
Before melting your chocolate, there are a few important points to consider:
- Moisture is the enemy of chocolate
- Always work with very low temperatures or you risk burning your chocolate
- If you’re using a chocolate bar, chop your chocolate into very small, equally sized pieces
- Optional: Adding 1 Tbsp shortening for every cup of chocolate makes it glossier when set
To melt chocolate on a stovetop, use a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl that fits over a pot. Add a few inches of water into the pot and place your heat-proof bowl on top, making sure the bowl is not touching the water.
Next, turn on the heat to low, and wait for the water to boil. Add chocolate and wait for it to melt, stirring constantly.
If you’re using the microwave, add the finely chopped chocolate and microwave in a microwave-safe bowl at medium power in 15-second increments, stirring between each, until the chocolate is completely melted
Check out this how-to video on the process of making these Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas
How to store chocolate-covered bananas?
Chocolate-covered bananas can be stored in an airtight container. I like to place them on top of a piece of parchment paper, and if you’re layering them, make sure to add a sheet in between layers to prevent them from sticking between one another.
How long do chocolate-dipped bananas last?
Chocolate-covered bananas can be stored for several weeks in the freezer when stored correctly. Make sure to place them in an airtight container and well covered.
Expert tips
- Opt for bananas that are ripe. Ripe bananas are naturally sweeter due to the increased sugar content that develops as bananas ripen. They also have a softer and creamier texture compared to underripe ones. Look for bananas with brown spots in them.
- Invest in good-quality chocolate for the coating. Whether you choose dark, milk, or white chocolate, using a high-quality product will enhance the overall taste of your chocolate-covered bananas. Look for chocolate with a high cocoa content for richer flavor.
- When melting chocolate, do it gently to avoid burning or seizing. Use a double boiler or microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently. Adding a small amount of coconut oil or vegetable shortening can help achieve a smoother and more workable consistency.
- Consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt to the melted chocolate. These additions can enhance the chocolate’s flavor, providing a more complex and enjoyable taste.
- Experiment with different types of nuts for coating. Chop nuts like almonds, peanuts, or pistachios finely, using a food processor, for more even coverage. You can also toast the nuts beforehand to intensify their flavor. Mixing different types of nuts can add variety and depth to each bite.
Follow this link if you’re looking for more recipes for Ice Cream and frozen treats, or you can find some of my favorite recipes in the links below.
Best Coffee Milkshake Recipe (with Ice Cream)
Coffee Liqueur Brownie Ice Cream
No Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
No Churn Banana Bourbon Ice Cream
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a rating and leave a comment!
Banana Popsicles
Ingredients
- 3 ripe but firm bananas
- 6 wooden sticks
- 1 Cup chopped walnuts
- 2 1/2 Cups chopped semi sweet chocolate
Instructions
- Peel ripe bananas and cut them in half, crosswise. Insert a wooden popsicle stick into each banana, making a banana pop. Place the banana pops on a baking sheet-lined tray or plate.Put the tray of banana pops in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours, or until the banana pops are completely frozen and firm.3 ripe, 6 wooden sticks
- Finely chop your nuts, place them on an extended plate, and set them aside1 Cup chopped walnuts
- In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate. You can use a double boiler or melt it in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring frequently. If the chocolate is too thick, you can add a splash of coconut oil to achieve a smooth consistency.2 1/2 Cups chopped
- Take the frozen banana pops out of the freezer. Working quickly, dip each banana pop into the melted chocolate, coating it evenly. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off.
- Immediately after dipping, roll the chocolate-covered banana pop in the chopped nuts or seeds, ensuring they stick to the chocolate.
- Place the chocolate-covered banana pops back on the wax paper-lined tray, making sure they don't touch each other. This prevents them from sticking together while freezing.
- Put the tray back in the freezer and let the chocolate-covered banana pops freeze completely. This usually takes about 15-30 minutes.
Notes
Expert tips
- Opt for bananas that are ripe. Ripe bananas are naturally sweeter due to the increased sugar content that develops as bananas ripen. They also have a softer and creamier texture compared to underripe ones. Look for bananas with brown spots in them.
- Invest in good-quality chocolate for the coating. Whether you choose dark, milk, or white chocolate, using a high-quality product will enhance the overall taste of your chocolate-covered bananas. Look for chocolate with a high cocoa content for richer flavor.
- When melting chocolate, do it gently to avoid burning or seizing. Use a double boiler or microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently. Adding a small amount of coconut oil or vegetable shortening can help achieve a smoother and more workable consistency.
- Consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt to the melted chocolate. These additions can enhance the chocolate’s flavor, providing a more complex and enjoyable taste.
- Experiment with different types of nuts for coating. Chop nuts like almonds, peanuts, or pistachios finely, using a food processor, for more even coverage. You can also toast the nuts beforehand to intensify their flavor. Mixing different types of nuts can add variety and depth to each bite.