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
Hi! Does freezing the banana beforehand make it all squishy? Personally, it does for me so I tried to make them without freezing but I think the banana juice got into the chocolate which then made the chocolate unworkable? Any tips to help a girl out?
I think freezing the bananas first is the best way Liz. Maybe try a firm banana to begin with to help with the squishy-ness you’re experiencing. And remember, the bananas should stay frozen at all times, don’t let them thaw.
I made these today! They were so easy and delicious, thank you!
The perfect ‘stuck at home’ treat!
Hello, how long do these stay good for in the freezer?
I’d say at least a couple of weeks.
I’m guessing they’ll stay in the freezer about 2 days before they’re gone for good. hahaha I couldn’t resist.
You got it!
Aloha, thanks for the recipe! After you have dipped and refrozen the chocolate covered bananas should you store them in the fridge or freezer?
You would put them in the freezer. I like to keep them in a zip lock freezer bag.
I don’t like coconut, will I taste it when mixed with the chocolate?
You won’t, Robin, but you can leave the coconut oil out if you like. It just helps with the melting of the chocolate. Refined coconut oil has less coconut flavor than virgin oil, by the way.
How long before you etat them do you remove them from the freezer?
You can eat them straight from the freezer, Shelly.
I LOVE these! Thank you for sharing!!!
Enjoy Cara!
I made these last night, and they are AMAZING and soooo yummy!!! I stuck a toothpick in each slice (on the side) before freezing, and after dipping, I stuck the toothpick in a piece of styrofoam wrapped in plastic to hold them while they hardened in the freezer. I can’t wait to try this with other frozen goodies like orange slices, scoops of ice cream, frozen berries, and who knows what else. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I can make all I want and not have to pay a small mint for them. ?
I’m glad you had so much fun with these Dee, and I love your toothpick idea. I’ve done this with ice cream and it works great.
Am I the only one who thinks a cup of chocolate is way too much? I used two bananas and still had a bunch left over.
I find a little extra makes chocolate dipping so much easier. You can also re-melt the chocolate for future bananas!
can white chocolate be used or caramel topping or? thank you
You can use any type of bar chocolate, as long as it’s hard at room temperature.