Chocolate covered frozen bananas are a copycat version of Trader Joe’s famous ‘Gone Bananas’. It’s one of the simplest (and healthiest) desserts you’ll ever eat!

dark chocolate covered frozen banana bites are irresistible
They’re my even better version of Trader Joe’s frozen treats. The last time I was at my sister’s she brought out a box and it didn’t even make it all the way around the table before it was emptied. That’s like throwing down the gauntlet to a food blogger. Why buy something in frustratingly small boxes when you can easily make them yourself?
frozen bananas have the texture of ice cream!
Crazy, but true ~ the frozen banana tastes just like ice cream, and the chocolate shell just adds to the delicious illusion. Since you’re making them yourself you can use your favorite chocolate. I like dark, but milk or white works too. The magic is in the coconut oil, which, when melted with the chocolate, makes a coating that hardens instantly on contact with the cold banana. It’s exactly like magic shell chocolate sauce that you pour over ice cream. Same principle.
what you’ll need
- bananas ~ I like to use firm bananas, not overly soft and ripe.
- chocolate, either good quality chips, or bar chocolate, chopped.
- refined coconut oil ~ this helps the chocolate coating harden to a shell. Look for refined, not virgin, which has a stronger coconut flavor. Nothing against coconut, but I definitely don’t want it interfering with the rich dark chocolate flavor.
how to store your frozen bananas
You’ll want to keep these frozen at all times: at room temp they’ll turn into little melted blobs. I like to stack them in a freezer safe container with sheets of waxed paper between the layers to prevent sticking. Take them out just when you’re ready to devour them!
how long will they last?
Plan to enjoy them within a week, but probably you’ll eat them all in one go, that’s what happens here.
more healthy-ish chocolate treats!
- Dark Chocolate Mendiants
- Easy Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
- Chocolate Hazelnut Milk
- Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
- Dark Chocolate Dipped Apricots
- Detox Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
variation ideas for copycat Gone Bananas
- Top the coated banana slices with crushed nuts, coconut, or sprinkles before the chocolate hardens. You’ll need to sprinkle immediately after dipping as the chocolate starts to set up right away.
- Spread a dab of peanut butter or almond butter over the frozen bananas before coating them in chocolate.
- Make full sized dipped bananas; simply slip a popsicle stick into the banana before freezing, then after it has frozen, dip into the chocolate.
- You can do this with other types of chocolate or baking chips.
Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas
Ingredients
- 2 ripe firm bananas
- 12 ounces dark chocolate chips or semi sweet bar chocolate, cut in small pieces
- 4 Tbsp refined coconut oil Note: this is a solid oil that comes in a jar.
Instructions
- Slice the banana and place the slices on a tray lined with parchment or waxed paper to prevent sticking. Put the tray in the freezer until the bananas are frozen solid. About 2 hours.
- Meanwhile place the chocolate chips and the coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup. Microwave for 60 seconds and then stir. Continue stirring until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is glossy. If necessary, microwave for another 15 seconds and stir again, until all the chocolate is melted and smooth. Don't over heat. Set the chocolate aside to cool.
- When the bananas are frozen, dip them into the cooled chocolate and coat on all sides. I like set the slices on a fork and then use a spoon to help drizzle the chocolate all over. Let any excess chocolate drip off before setting the slice down on a parchment or waxed paper lined tray (it can be the same one.) Put the coated slices back in the freezer right away to harden.
- Once the bites are hardened you can transfer them to a freezer safe storage container or zip lock freezer bag.
- Plan to enjoy your banana bites within a week.
I was going to resist these, with great difficulty, until Missy suggested adding peanut butter. Curses upon you Missy! Now I have to make these, soon. I think these count as 3 servings of fruits and vegetables; 1 is the banana, 2 is the coconut oil and 3 if you make them with peanut butter. Anyone buying this?
Amen!
Who knew they were this easy! I love those little bites of goodness and can’t wait to make up a huge batch (and then hide them from the kids).
These look so scrumptious! Do you have a recommendation as to ripeness of the bananas for best flavor? I would guess that very ripe, ready for banana bread bananas would be difficult to work with, as well as not so tasty.
I used firm bananas, but since you are freezing them first, it doesn’t really matter. I agree, though, that given a choice, those blackened bananas are better for bread ๐
“store the slices in a ziploc freezer baggie” hahahahahaha, that is FUNNY, Sue. I’ve yet to have these last longer than the time it takes to freeze solid. You have a million times more self control than I do! These are awesome.
Can’t wait to try these!
I need a stash of these in my freezer stat!
I just made these this afternoon! Thank you for such a simple & kid friendly recipe. P.S. I made a few with a layer of peanut butter under the chocolate as well, I hope they turn out ok ๐
The peanut butter is a great idea, that makes them even more healthy!
Well just yum! I could eat a few, and then a few more – these would be dangerous at our house. Lovely!
Oooh this looks perfectly delicious!Cannot wait to try it for my kids ๐
It’s a nice snack for kids to make on their own, too!
Easy peasy and tasty!