Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas

For a quick and easy frozen treat, coat slices of ripe bananas with dark chocolate and stick them in the freezer. Frozen chocolate-covered bananas are a delicious flavor and texture combo and so easy to make.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Updated August 17, 2022
Rachel Knecht
Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas in a Bowl with the Top Piece Bitten Into

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Not a day goes by that I don’t eat a little chocolate. Usually, I savor a square of dark chocolate after dinner, but in the summer I crave a bite-sized chocolate frozen treat. 

Cue frozen chocolate-covered bananas: two bites of sweet and creamy banana enrobed in a thin dark chocolate shell. I like to make chocolate-covered bananas in the afternoon so that they are ready in time for an after-dinner treat.

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas on a Tray

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Choosing the Right Banana

Ripe bananas with slightly speckled peels are the best option for making frozen chocolate-covered bananas. Ripe (but not mushy) bananas have the sweetest, creamiest, and fullest banana flavor.

Keep the banana slices intact by dipping the fork tines in chocolate, placing the banana on the fork, and then using the spatula to spoon chocolate over the slices. For this recipe, only use fresh, ripe bananas and not bananas that have been previously frozen. Previously frozen bananas are too cold for the chocolate to adhere and, once thawed, they will be too mushy to coat in chocolate. 

The Best Type of Chocolate for Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Look for high-quality dark chocolate baking bars, such as Ghiradelli. I personally prefer chocolate with between 50% and 70% cocoa solids. 

The baking bars melt more smoothly than chocolate chips and include guidelines on how many squares equal an ounce. This is especially handy if you don’t own a kitchen scale. 

That being said, this is a really flexible recipe, so use whatever baking chocolate you enjoy eating and have on hand! Allergen-free chocolate and milk chocolate are also good options.

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas on a Tray

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Tips for Working With Chocolate

Melting chocolate is foolproof with these tips:

  • Chop the chocolate finely for fast, even melting.
  • Use a double boiler or a metal bowl set over simmering water to melt the chocolate slowly and avoid scorching.
  • Stir with a flexible spatula continuously. 
  • Remove from the heat once no solid pieces remain.
  • Rewarm hardened chocolate gently over simmering water. 

Adding a teaspoon of neutral oil, such as canola, helps the chocolate melt smoothly and creates a thinner chocolate coating on the banana without affecting the rich chocolate flavor.

Besides scorching, chocolate can seize up and become dull, fudgy, and unusable if any moisture gets into the melted chocolate. To help avoid this, wipe condensation off the sides of the bowl while it is over the simmering water. Once the chocolate is melted, move it away from the pot of simmering water and dry off the bottom of the bowl.

Fun and Flavorful Variations

One of my favorite variations is swiping a layer of peanut butter—or any nut butter for that matter—on top of the banana slice before coating it in chocolate. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top before the chocolate shell dries.

Other easy toppings include shredded coconut, sprinkles, or flakey salt. Make it a party and set out a variety of toppings for friends and family to add their own personal touch.

Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas Piled on a Plate

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Frozen Treats to Fill Your Freezer

Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 2 mins
Chill Time 2 hrs
Total Time 2 hrs 22 mins
Servings 6 to 8 servings
Yield 18 to 20 banana slices

If you don’t have a scale and want to use chocolate chips, a scant cup equals about 6 ounces. 

Ingredients

  • 2 medium ripe bananas

  • 6 ounces dark chocolate

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil

  • Flaky salt, sprinkles, nuts, or shredded coconut for topping, optional

Method

  1. Prep the pan and water: 

    Cover a quarter sheet pan with parchment paper. 

    Add 2 inches of water to a double boiler or small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. 

    Once the water is simmering, turn the heat down to low.

  2. Slice the bananas and chop the chocolate: 

    Meanwhile, peel the bananas, trim the ends, and slice them into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange evenly spaced on the sheet pan.

    Wipe off the knife and cutting board and finely chop the chocolate.

    Sliced Bananas on a Tray for Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
  3. Melt the chocolate with the oil: 

    Add the chopped chocolate and canola oil to a small heatproof glass or metal bowl that fits snugly over the pan of simmering water. Place the bowl on top of the pot of water and use a flexible spatula to stir the chocolate until melted and no solids remain, about 2 minutes. 

    Remove the bowl from the heat and dry the bottom of the bowl.

    Pot of Chocolate for Frozen Bananas Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
  4. Coat the banana slices in chocolate: 

    Coat the tines of a fork in melted chocolate and set a slice of banana on top. Use a flexible spatula or spoon to spoon chocolate over the banana slice, completely covering it. 

    Nudge the banana slice to the front of the fork and scrape the bottom of the fork against the side of the bowl, removing excess chocolate.

    Slide the chocolate-covered banana slice onto the parchment-covered sheet pan. Continue with the remaining banana slices, scraping the bowl as needed. 

    Sprinkle with optional toppings before the chocolate hardens, if desired.

    Tip

    Most of the melted chocolate will be used, but if there are any leftovers you can refrigerate it for another project or grab a spoon and treat yourself!

    Banana Slice on Fork Above a Bowl of Melted Chocolate for Frozen Chocolate Bananas

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
    Spatula Used to Cover Bananas in Chocolate

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
    Chocolate Covered Bananas with Various Toppings (Flakey Salt, Sprinkles, Shredded Coconut, etc)

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
  5. Freeze: 

    Transfer the sheet pan to the freezer and freeze for 2 hours. Either serve immediately or store the chocolate-covered bananas in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. 

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

    Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas in a Bowl with Some Pieces Bitten Into

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
150 Calories
8g Fat
20g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 150
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 3mg 13%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 224mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.