These Frozen Banana Snickers are the perfect healthy treat when you are craving something sweet and salty. Made with fresh fruit, creamy peanut butter, and a crunchy chocolate shell, they taste surprisingly like the classic candy bar but with wholesome ingredients.
With a creamy frozen interior and a crisp chocolate coating topped with flaky salt, this is a guilt-free dessert that comes together in minutes.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: These bites mimic the flavors of a Snickers bar with sweet caramel notes from the dates, savory nuttiness from the peanut butter and peanuts, and rich chocolate.
- Texture: The frozen banana mimics the texture of nougat or ice cream, contrasting beautifully with the crunchy toppings and the snap of the chocolate shell.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 10 minutes freeze time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. No baking required, just assembly and a quick chill.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. The ingredients are simple pantry staples: a ripe banana serves as the base, layered with nut butter, crunchy nuts, and sweet dates, all finished with a melted chocolate drizzle.
Ingredient Notes
- Banana – You need 1 large ripe banana. It should be ripe enough to be sweet (yellow with some spots), but firm enough to hold its shape when sliced.
- Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter works best for spreading smoothly over the fruit slices.
- Dates – Finely diced dates are optional but highly recommended; they provide the chewy, caramel-like texture and flavor found in a real Snickers bar.
- Coconut Oil – A small amount of coconut oil helps thin the melted chocolate, making it easier to drizzle and creating a nice shell when frozen.
- Flaky Salt – A sprinkle of flaky salt enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors and balances the sweetness.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Nut Butter Swap – If you have a peanut allergy or prefer a different flavor, almond butter or cashew butter works perfectly in place of peanut butter.
- Toppings – You can swap the chopped peanuts for chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts for a different crunch.
- Chocolate – Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet treat, or milk chocolate chips for a more traditional candy bar taste.
How to Make Frozen Banana Snickers
- Prep: Prepare a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice Banana: Cut the large ripe banana in half, then cut each half again lengthwise to make 4 long pieces.
- Layer: Place the banana slices on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the creamy peanut butter over each slice.
- Add Crunch: Evenly top the peanut butter layer with the finely diced dates (if using) and the chopped peanuts.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth.
- Drizzle and Finish: Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bananas and immediately top with a sprinkle of flaky salt.
- Freeze: Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes to set. Once the chocolate is hard and the banana is chilled, enjoy!
Pro Tip: Make sure to sprinkle the flaky salt immediately after drizzling the chocolate. Since the banana is cool and the chocolate layer is thin, it will harden very quickly, and the salt won’t stick if you wait too long.
Recipe Tips
- Parchment Paper: Do not skip the parchment paper. The peanut butter and chocolate can get sticky, and the paper ensures you can peel the treats off the tray easily after freezing.
- Microwaving Chocolate: Chocolate burns easily. Stir faithfully every 15 seconds, even if it doesn’t look melted yet, to ensure it stays smooth and glossy.
- Date Prep: Dates can be sticky and hard to chop. Lightly oiling your knife blade can help make dicing them easier.
FAQs
- How long do these last in the freezer? Once set, you can transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and keep them for up to 1-2 months. Let them thaw for a minute or two before eating if they are very hard.
- Can I use crunchy peanut butter? Yes, crunchy peanut butter adds even more texture and is a great substitute if you want extra crunch without adding loose chopped peanuts.
- Are these vegan? They can easily be vegan if you use dairy-free chocolate chips.
Serving Suggestions
- After School Snack: These make a fun and nutritious surprise for kids.
- Post-Workout: The combination of natural sugars from the banana and protein from the peanuts makes for a good recovery bite.
- Dessert: Serve these on a platter for a light dessert option after dinner.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Batch Prep: You can easily double or triple this recipe. Make a large batch, freeze them on the sheet until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
- Ready to Eat: Keep them stored in the freezer so you have a grab-and-go treat whenever a sweet craving strikes.
Frozen Banana Snickers
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Frozen Banana Snickers are the perfect healthy treat when you are craving something sweet and salty. Made with fresh fruit, creamy peanut butter, and a crunchy chocolate shell, they taste surprisingly like the classic candy bar but with wholesome ingredients. With a creamy frozen interior and a crisp chocolate coating topped with flaky salt, this is a guilt-free dessert that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup finely diced dates (optional)
- 2–3 tablespoons chopped peanuts
- 2–3 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- Flaky salt
Instructions
Prep
Prepare a small baking sheet or plate with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Slice Banana
Peel the large ripe banana and cut it in half crosswise. Then, slice each half lengthwise to create 4 long, flat pieces.
Layer
Place the banana slices flat-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a layer of creamy peanut butter over the top of each slice.
Add Crunch
Evenly top the peanut butter layer with the finely diced dates (if using for that caramel flavor) and the chopped peanuts.
Melt Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
Drizzle and Finish
Drizzle the melted chocolate generously over the bananas. Immediately top with a sprinkle of flaky salt before the chocolate hardens.
Freeze
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes to set. Once the chocolate is hard and the banana is chilled, serve immediately or store for later.
Notes
Salt Timing: Be sure to sprinkle the flaky salt immediately after drizzling the chocolate. The thin layer of chocolate sets very quickly against the cool banana, and if you wait too long, the salt won’t stick.
Cutting Dates: Dates can be very sticky. To make chopping easier, lightly grease the blade of your knife with a little coconut oil before dicing them.
Storage: These are best eaten directly from the freezer. If stored in an airtight container, they will keep for up to 2 months. Let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 minutes before biting into them if they are frozen solid.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: frozen banana snickers, healthy snickers recipe, vegan dessert, banana peanut butter treats, healthy frozen snacks, gluten free dessert, easy fruit snack
