Easy Frozen Chocolate Covered Banana Pops

Banana pops are such a fun go-to go-to summer treat. When we first moved to California we took a bike ride to Balboa Island. At a red light, there was this lady who was finishing up a run and we got talking.

Naturally our “bahh we just moved here” came out within the first sentence and if I remember nothing else from the conversation, I remember she told us we HAD to have a chocolate covered banana once we crossed the bridge to Balboa.

We found the first chocolate covered banana stand and indulged. They were so fun. They cover the entire banana with a silky chocolatey coating and THEN you get to choose your toppings from nuts to sprinkles to butterscotch, the possibilities seemed endless.

We got one of each.

I think these can be a really fun and healthy treat for the kids this summer! The chocolate covering is totally optional, and you can keep it more minimal and just drizzle some peanut butter and then freeze it.

If you love desserts you have to check out my roundup of 50+ Gluten Free Dessert Recipes. Some of my favorites are these Chocolate Quinoa Crisps, Soft & Fluffy Chocolate Olive Oil Cake, and these Gluten Free Peanut Butter Brownies!

Why You’ll Love these Banana Pops

Sweet and Refreshing: Frozen banana pops are a deliciously sweet and refreshing treat, especially during the hot months. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas combined with the icy texture makes for a delightful combination perfect for your sweet cravings.

Nutritional Value: Bananas themselves are packed with essential nutrients. They are a great source of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. When frozen, bananas retain most of their nutritional value, making frozen banana pops a healthier alternative to many other frozen desserts.

Easy to Make: Frozen banana pops are incredibly easy to make at home. Simply peel a banana, insert a popsicle stick into one end, and freeze until solid. Then, dip the frozen banana into melted chocolate, sprinkle it with your favorite toppings, and then freeze again for added flavor and texture.

Kid-Friendly: Frozen banana pops are a hit with kids. They are visually appealing and fun to eat, making them an excellent choice for parents looking for healthier snack options for their children. Kids can also get involved in the process of making frozen banana pops, making it a fun and engaging activity for the whole family.

Fun toppings for Banana Pops:

Sprinkles

Sprinkles are a classic and colorful choice for topping frozen chocolate-covered banana pops. They add a festive touch and create an adorable treat. Whether you choose rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, or any other variety, they bring a fun and playful element to the pops.

Mini Chocolate Chips

Mini chocolate chips are a fun choice for topping frozen chocolate-covered banana pops. Their small size allows for easy distribution over the chocolate coating, and they provide bursts of extra chocolate flavor and texture with each bite.

Peanut Butter Drizzle

Adding a drizzle of peanut butter to frozen chocolate-covered banana pops is a delightful way to introduce a creamy and nutty flavor. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a classic favorite, and it elevates the taste of the banana pops to a whole new level. The drizzle also creates a really pretty pattern on the surface of the pops.

Chopped Nuts

Chopped nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, or walnuts, bring a delicious crunch and additional flavor to frozen chocolate-covered banana pops. They provide a textural contrast to the smoothness of the banana and the chocolate coating. You can choose your favorite nuts or even mix different varieties to create a personalized and tasty combination.

Crushed Butterscotch or Butterfinger

Adding crushed butterscotch or Butterfinger candy to frozen chocolate-covered banana pops introduces a delightful caramel or toffee-like flavor plus a crunchy texture.

Crumbled Reese’s Cups

Reese’s cups are a beloved treat on their own, and when crumbled and added as a topping to frozen chocolate-covered banana pops, they take the taste decadence to new heights. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate in Reese’s cups pairs exceptionally well with the frozen banana. The crumbled pieces provide bursts of flavor and a pleasing texture.

How to make frozen banana pops:

First, get some ripe bananas. Once my bananas get spotty, I usually freeze them for smoothies anyway (or make banana bread) so wait for a batch of bananas that are getting perfectly ripe. Ripe bananas will make sure these pops are sweet!

Cut each banana in half and gently insert the popsicle stick into the bottom. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the banana popsicle onto the parchment paper.

Pop them in the freezer for a couple hours before dipping into chocolate.

Heat the chocolate in a cup until melted. Mix in the coconut oil until smooth. Hold the popsicle stick and dip the banana straight into the cup.

The chocolate will harden pretty quickly so hold make sure to add your sprinkles shortly after you dip it. Hold the banana pop upside down until the chocolate hardens and then return it to the parchment paper.

Continue this process until they’re all chocolate coated and sprinkled.

Enjoy immediately or freeze until you’re ready to eat!

Tips for Success

Choose Ripe Bananas. Opt for ripe bananas with yellow skins that have a few brown spots. Ripe bananas are sweeter and have a softer texture, which makes them more enjoyable when frozen. They are also easier to insert popsicle sticks into without causing the banana to break. You want them to be ripe but not overripe.

Melt the Chocolate Properly. When melting the chocolate, use a microwave or a double boiler (How to Melt Chocolate Chips in 5 Minutes). Avoid overheating the chocolate, as it can become lumpy or burnt. Stir the chocolate occasionally to ensure it melts evenly and becomes smooth.

Allow Ample Freezing Time. Ensure that the banana pops have enough time to freeze completely. It typically takes a few hours for the pops to harden, but overnight freezing is recommended for best results. This will ensure that the banana is fully frozen and the chocolate coating is set.

Enjoy!! xo