These chocolate covered bananas are the most delicious banana nice cream recipe!
If you love an indulgent sweet treat that is actually kinda healthy then make sure to check out some of my other favorite chocolate covered goodies such as this vegan magnum copycat recipe or this tofu chocolate mousse recipe that is surprisingly very tasty!
If you haven't noticed already or you are new to my blog, tropical fruits are my jam and creating delicious desserts or healthier dessert recipes with tropical fruits is truly my passion! Some other awesome fruit based desserts of mine that you should also check out include this 2 ingredient chocolate mousse cake (made with just dark chocolate and apples!), this 3 ingredient purple sweet potato cake (asian vegetables are also my jam!). Or if you prefer a lighter dessert, but still chocolate, check out my chocolate sago with strawberries recipe. The list could go on and on for all of my favourite fruit desserts but this sums up the best chocolate desserts on my blog right now!
Why You'll Love This Recipe (and Why I Love it!)
This recipe indulges your sweet tooth whilst also providing a healthy snack or dessert option! I love that I can enjoy this recipe and feel like I'm eating ice cream but thanks to the wholesome ingredients, I feel great afterwards, which also makes it also a great snack or pre workout snack option. By using frozen bananas to create nice cream, you are able to enjoy the creamy texture and natural sweetness of bananas without any added sugars or artificial ingredients, making it the perfect healthier alternative to traditional ice cream.
Not only is this recipe delicious and versatile, it is incredibly simple to make with no blending or ice cream churning required! This is such a winner because the frozen banana reminds me of a cross between a sorbet, icy pole and ice cream. I honestly thought that frozen banana would be gross and mushy but the texture is actually enjoyable and the bananas are deliciously sweet!
Ingredients for Banana Nice Cream
To make these delicious chocolate covered bananas, you will need just a handful of simple ingredients. The star of the show, of course, is the ripe bananas. Make sure to choose bananas that are just ripe for the perfect texture. You will need:
- 4 bananas
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup of nut butter
- 3 tablespoon desiccated coconut (optional)
- 1 pinch of salt (optional)
Optional toppings include desiccated coconut and salt, but you can also get creative and add nuts or dried fruit for extra crunch and flavor.
Step-by-step instructions for making Banana Nice Cream
- Start by chopping the bananas in half and inserting paddle pop sticks halfway into each banana.
- Lay the bananas on parchment paper on a plate or chopping board, making sure they are not touching each other. This will prevent them from sticking together as they freeze. Place the plate in the freezer and let the bananas freeze for at least 2 hours, or until they are completely solid.
- Once the bananas are frozen, remove them from the freezer and dip them in nut butter. You can use either peanut butter or almond butter, depending on your preference. If you prefer not to dip the bananas directly into the nut butter jar, you can use a spoon to cover each banana.
- Lay the coated bananas back on the parchment paper, ensuring that they are not touching each other, and place them back in the freezer. Let them freeze for at least another 2 hours, or overnight if possible. This will allow the nut butter to solidify.
- Once frozen solid, melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop in a heat proof bowl in hot water.
- Dip each banana into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat them completely. You can use a spoon to help the chocolate cover the bananas evenly. As soon as you dip each banana, sprinkle desiccated coconut and a pinch of salt over the chocolate coating. The coconut adds a delightful texture and the salt enhances the flavors but both a optional.
- The chocolate will start to harden after a couple of minutes and can be placed back on the parchment paper. Once all the bananas are coated, you can either enjoy them immediately or place them back in the freezer for later.
Tips for making the perfect Banana Nice Cream
- Make sure to use ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness. The riper the bananas, the sweeter your nice cream will be, but not too ripe! I'd say the perfect ripeness would be a banana that you would happily eat before freezing.
- Make sure to use parchment paper when freezing so that the bananas are easily removed.
- Also make sure that the bananas are not touching before freezing or they will be hard to pull apart.
Health benefits of chocolate-covered bananas
While chocolate-covered bananas may sound indulgent, they actually offer several health benefits. Dark chocolate, in particular, is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to improve heart health and reduce inflammation. Bananas are a great source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and maintain proper heart function. Additionally, the natural sugars in bananas provide a quick energy boost, making them an excellent choice for a pre or post-workout snack.
Serving and storing chocolate-covered bananas
Chocolate-covered bananas are best enjoyed straight from the freezer, as they can become soft and melty at room temperature. Serve them as a refreshing summer snack or a guilt-free dessert after a satisfying meal. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. They can also be enjoyed as soon as you finish making them because the banana is still frozen at this point.
Chocolate Covered Bananas.
Ingredients
- 4 bananas
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup nut butter
- 3 tablespoon desiccated coconut optional
- 1 pinch salt optional
Instructions
- Start by chopping the bananas in half and inserting paddle pop sticks halfway into each banana.
- Lay the bananas on parchment paper on a plate or chopping board, making sure they are not touching each other. This will prevent them from sticking together as they freeze. Place the plate in the freezer and let the bananas freeze for at least 2 hours, or until they are completely solid.
- Once the bananas are frozen, remove them from the freezer and dip them in nut butter. You can use either peanut butter or almond butter, depending on your preference. If you prefer not to dip the bananas directly into the nut butter jar, you can use a spoon to cover each banana.
- Lay the coated bananas back on the parchment paper, ensuring that they are not touching each other, and place them back in the freezer. Let them freeze for at least another 2 hours, or overnight if possible. This will allow the nut butter to solidify.
- Once frozen solid, melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop in a heat proof bowl in hot water.
- Dip each banana into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat them completely. You can use a spoon to help the chocolate cover the bananas evenly. As soon as you dip each banana, sprinkle desiccated coconut and a pinch of salt over the chocolate coating. The coconut adds a delightful texture and the salt enhances the flavors but both a optional.
- The chocolate will start to harden after a couple of minutes and can be placed back on the parchment paper. Once all the bananas are coated, you can either enjoy them immediately or place them back in the freezer for later.
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