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.
Notes
Nutrition
I love to use strawberry instead of bananas.
Fabulous idea, but keep in mind that strawberries have more water content than bananas, and when they freeze they get icy.
Love these! I decided to try and make the chocolate on the stove today for a mass batch. I doubled the recipe as well. Worked great! I warmed the chocolate and coconut oil on low, then turned it off when it was all melted. I was able to make 5 bananas worth of slices without worrying about the chocolate hardening too soon. I had that happen with the microwave way the first two times I made them. Hopefully these ones will last at least a week between four of us!
I don’t freeze my strawberries I just wash them
And put in fridge to thoroughly dry then dip. I use a cocktail pick for easy handling but it’s
Not necessary. Why didn’t think of bananas I love those TJ banana bites.
Has anyone used bacon slices on the bannanas before dipping them in chocolate? I would imagine blueberries would also taste devine coated in this chocolate as well.
Oh gosh Misty, I like the way you think!
When i first seen this fist thing i thought was where’s the peanut butter. Just a smear on top or coat the whole banana then the chocolate.
I like the way you think, too, Rick 🙂
Hi, may I use coconut milk instead of coconut oil?
Not really Michelle, but you can leave the coconut oil out entirely, or use any other mild vegetable oil. The purpose is just to help the chocolate melt, but you can’t add anything that contains water to chocolate or it will ‘seize’ up into a solid mass.
Somebody sent me a pic of themselves eating the Trader Joes version & told me they were addicted so I thought”oh I can make those” I looked up the recipe and found yours. I tried it and they came out awesome! Now I’m addicted too. I did some plain, some with toasted coconut and some with almonds. They were all delish! I did two bananas and doubled the chocolate but I had a lot of chocolate left over. I’ll probably do 1 1/2 times on the chocolate next time.
Love the toasted coconut and almonds!
These are so addictingly delicious! I used 5 bananas thinking I can freeze some for snacks. The kids and I devoured them. Thanks for posting the recipe. It’s a great healthy snack for my family.
I’m so glad this worked out so well for you and your family Sherri 🙂
I love reading the comments as we all can put in more ideas. this sounds so good. I plan on making them for halloween party for kids. I think they will love them. Thanks for other ideas too. must try them all..
Thanks Virginia, let us know how it works for the kids!
Should the bananas not be overripe? I have three pretty brown ripe bananas
You can use them, Carmella, but I think less soft bananas will slice better. The flavor should be good!
My mom would put a popsicle stick in the whole over-ripe bananas, freeze, coat, freeze. We loved them.
Delish!
MMMmm! Perfect bite sized treats! I tend to use coconut oil to sort of “temper” the chocolate too, it works a treat 😀 x
My husband wants me to make the Chocolate Eclair Cake, but for some reason, I can’t pull it up. Can you send it to me? My E-mail address is : maryloukelp@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Mary Lou Kelp