I lay in bed some mornings trying to will my food brain into action.
On the particular morning that these Banana Bonbon things were born into my brain, I was lying in bed thinking that I’d really like to eat Oreo cookies… but I’d like them to be frozen… and then maybe I could smear peanut butter on top… except that’s crazy… crazy good!!!
No food brain. No. Be reasonable. (That’s what I think to myself as I lay in bed thinking about Oreo cookies first thing in the morning.) We need more fruit. Can we turn bananas into cookies? Yes. Let’s add peanut butter… and probably chocolate while we’re at it… and we’re going to need something crunchy… peanuts! And let’s pull that awesome coconut oil trick to make a the chocolate as smooth as can be.
Alright food brain. Good job! Essentially you’ve created a chocolate-dipped frozen banana and found a way to smash peanut butter inside. You started with Oreos cookies and, well… here we are.
Think of these frozen treats as mini banana peanut butter sandwiches dipped in chocolate an topped with peanuts. It’s beyond easy and might be one of the better ideas ever on the Internet. Speaking of the Internet, these treats are aaaallll over the dang thing, which just goes to show that no matter how hard my food brain works, it’s impossible to think of anything brand-spankin’ new. Still though…. still delicious! Just saying…
Let’s rustle these ingredients out of the pantry.
Bananas are sliced thick but not tooooo thick. Honey roasted peanuts, finely chopped and generously snacked on, peanut butter (I used the Jiffy kind because it’s not as mushy as my preferred natural variety), semi-sweet chocolate, and coconut oil!
I used a pastry bag and small star tip to pipe peanut butter onto the banana slices. I found that it’s much easier that trying to coax peanut butter off of a butterknife and onto a small banana slice.
Petite popsicle sticks, too!
I posed a picture of this recipe on Instagram yesterday and someone suggested I use pretzel sticks instead of popsicle sticks.
MIND BLOWN! Be smarter than me. Do this!
It takes some smarts to press the sticks into the banana slices without completely smashing the peanut butter out of the banana slices. I used my index finger and my thumb to surround the banana sandwich to support the top banana slice as I push the popsicle stick in.
Now… if you know a better way to make the peanut butter not mush, please… be smarter than me.
Lined up and ready for some time in the freezer. We want to freeze these treats so they’re just partially frozen.
I melted chocolate chips with coconut oil.
Coconut oil is such a fantastic trick! Coconut oil is solid at room temperature so once the chocolate and coconut oil settle around the bananas, they’re create a thin and smooth chocolate shell!
I poured my melted chocolate mixture into a drinking glass. The depth of the glass makes dunking the bananas easier.
Dunked and sprinkled with chopped peanuts!
Ready for the freezer and well on our way to frozen banana heaven!
That’s just real.
These are easy to share!
Frozen bananas make me feel like it’s my lucky day. Like I haven’t really done anything to deserve such a treat, and yet…treats are here, and they’re cold, and crunchy, and chocolate-y.
I hope you enjoy these frozen treats this summer. I adore you. I’m going to go rest my food brain now so I can dream up something doughnut-y.
The recipe below seems pretty long considering we’re just combining bananas with peanut butter and chocolate. You don’t really need this recipe step-by-step. Your instincts will show you the way.
Peanut Butter Banana Bonbons
makes about 24 bonbons
3 ripe and large bananas
about 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (I used Jiffy)
10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/3 cup finely chopped honey roasted peanuts
small popsicle sticks (or pretzel sticks)
Peel bananas and slice into medium-thick round slices. I sliced my bananas about 1/3-inch thick.
Spoon peanut butter into a piping bag fitted with a small star tip attachment. Pipe about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter onto half of the banana slices. Top each peanut butter topped banana with a plain banana slice and press down just slightly. It’s like a banana sandwich!
To insert the popsicle sticks (or pretzel sticks) into the banana sandwich, place your thumb and index finger over and around the banana sandwich. firmly press the stick into and through the banana slices, but use your thumb and index finger to hold the top banana slice in place during the pressing. This will help ensure that all of the peanut butter doesn’t smush out of the sides.
Place peanut butter pops on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer to harden for at least 30 minutes.
While the pops harden, melt the chocolate in a double boiler.
Place 2 inches of water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a medium heat-proof bowl. Place the bowl over the simmering water and stir together chocolate and coconut oil as it melts. Stir until completely melted.
Transfer melted chocolate mixture to a glass with a mouth wide enough to dunk the banana sandwiches. I used a small tumbler glass. A shallow bowl will make the banana sandwiches hard to dip and completely cover.
Dip the slightly hardened banana sandwiches completely in chocolate. Return them to the parchment paper and immediately sprinkle with honey roasted peanuts. After dipping all of the bananas, return to the freezer for at least 2 hours before serving. Bananas will last for a week or two in the freezer. You can also wrap them individually for storage in the freezer.
Cathy
Try pushing your popsicle or pretzel stick through your top banana slice BEFORE you place the top slice onto the peanut butter/bottom slice,, then maybe the peanut butter won’t squish so much. Push the stick through so that about 1/4″ shows before pushing it into the peanut butter and bottom slice.
terri Wolfe
I made these last time you posted to great reviews (from adults). I used a pretzel stick (as suggested by another reader) and with finesse they work well.
Hannah Chen
Heads up if using Nestle choco chips: I had to add more than 2 tablespoons coconut oil to 10 oz of chips. Otherwise the melted chocolate comes out rather thick.
joythebaker
Good to know!
Anna Dorogi
Dear Joy,
Thank you so much for this super easy and super tasty recipe! I had two parties in a row , and I was responsible for making big amount of deserts and along with some cakes this cute bonbons helped me to be less stressed about the amount and time. It’s easy, quick and we don’t many nor special ingredients to make it. Oh and I did I mentioned it looks great , easy to serve and easy to eat? :) Everyone loved it and several people asked for the recipe so I’ve just sent through your link to all!
Amy Sampson
For not smoooshing out the middle – put one side of the sandwich on your stick first, then add the other one :) Saving this so I can make it at home! Does the coconut oil change the taste of the chocolate at all?
amy
Try putting the popsicle stick thru the top banana sluce first before you put it on the sandwich it helps alot
Molly
I haven’t made these (yet! gonna!) but it seems to me if you push the pretzel through the top banana *before* you make the “sandwhich” you could then just push down through the PB into the other banana and there would be no smoothing. I guess I’m gonna HAVE to go try this so I know if I’m right! :)
Karen
You rock.
eva
I used a plastic straw to make holes in bananas, then used short “pretzel dipper” sticks! Deeeelish!
Amanda
I found that if you put the stick in the un-peanut buttered side and left some room on the stick THEN put through the other side there wasn’t any issue with peanut butter squishing out. :-D
Lori Sparkles
I made these this past weekend. They were easy and really really delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Abi S
Amazing idea I can’t believe I’ve never seen these before! I am DEFINITELY trying these out they look amazing, the photos are very good too!
J
Love these, they look so cute! Especially love how you piped the peanut butter, makes them that much prettier. Will definitely make these as snacks at parties from now on, I think they’ll go down a treat :)
The Internationalist
Sjoukje
The cutest things ever! I will actually be trying those x
http://www.lemontierres.com
alanna
I made them! I love them! They are currently freezing and then heading to poker night. The boys will love me forever…thanks to you! Joy, thanks for all the years of great posts. I love that your personality always shines through. I really look forward to your new posts and I love recipes that I can actually put together. This one was simple, easy, and a crowd-pleaser!
Thanks again, Alanna
Lindsay
these look so darling! Mouth watering goodness!
Anabel
Frozen chocolate bananas always remind me of Arrested Development. These look so good!
Millie | Add A Little
Yum! These look totally awesome and delicious!
http://youtube.com/addalittlefood
Tracy
Adore!
Lena
I made these today and they were a huge hit. I used toothpicks which worked really well and then instead of nuts sprinkled them with toasted coconut. HUGE hit! As always, thanks!
A
Made these with my nearly three-year-old niece. We subbed TJ’s cookie butter for the peanut butter. Divine! Thanks for the inspiration. We had a blast making them together. It’s a memory I will always treasure.
peggy
You could put the pretzel or stick thru top banana first then place on top and finish pushing thru. Have not tried these yet but that should keep p butter from squishing out.
joythebaker
see! i knew you guys were smarter than me!
Archer Bickersteth
Thanks for share… This blog is really very helpful for us and i hope it will also help us in future.
Meredith
Totally irresistible, I need to make these soon!
sundiegoeats
This is everything. You barely need a recipe, just the post title is enough to make me wonder why I didn’t think of this ;)
throughfairyhalls
oof, thank the Lord for you. I woke up this morning and really had to talk my food brain out of eating a Klondike bar for breakfast.
sprophet
You brilliant you!! I’m making these this weekend and I’m going to use pretzel sticks as you suggested. What a great idea!
L
Joy, I am a long time follower of your blog and have often thought of leaving a comment both praising and thanking you, but have for some reason or another not gotten round to it. But after reading this, coming home after work and trying them out for myself… Wow…you are my muse and my hero:) Thank you so much for doing what you do:) That food brain of yours with your writing and stunning pictures make an awesome team:)
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs
Joy these are precious. You know what I like best about this recipe? PORTION CONTROL! Not that I would eat only one… but I’m just sayin… it COULD be food for portion control.
Allison
These are too cute! I love having little sweet treats like this handy in the freezer for my chocolate cravings. PB, chocolate, and banana are the best of friends :)
Deanna S Holick
I was just checking recipes before I headed out grocery shopping & now I totally have to get the stuff to make these. I think I’m going to use the pretzel sticks & prep the banana slices using a metal skewer.
Katya @ Little Broken
These look awesome! Trader Joes has frozen chocolate covered bananas that are so so good but I’ve been wanting to try my own. Now I know how. Thanks :)
Bonnie-Jean
Well this is the first time I’ve seen these delightful things so to me you’ll always be the creator of such deliciousness!! My boys will love them and even though it’s winter here in Australia I think we’ll try them this week! Thanks Joy!
Cheyenne Wehren
such a good idea! yum :) thanks for sharing, seems like a great party snack!
xo, cheyenne
Ludi@BuildBakeTaste
WHY didn’t we know you have an app! Joy! I was soooo hoping you would have done that! THANK YOU
kisses from Italy
Courtney x
These look delicious! I’ll definitely have to give them a go :)
Courtney x
tom
oh man that is so tasty looking!
Cheryl N.
I’m thinking almond butter instead of peanut butter. And kids could dip the tops in all sorts of fun things. Sprinkles, chopped oreos, coconut. Yum!
Danielle
These look amazing! How about nutella in the middle? I wouldn’t be mad at that : )
Love all your treats Joy! Have a great night ?
Esther
these look pretty and yummy. and maybe somebody already said this, i’m really too lazy to look through the comments, but what if you stuck the popsicle sticks into half of the the banana halves by themselves, and then once you’ve prepped the others with the peanut butter you just push the stick through that?
Stacy
LOVE IT! Two thumbs up, I’m totally doing this.
A Golden Tulip
This is so simple and looks yum. Love bananas, gotta try this.
xo
Laura @ She Eats Well
You’re a genius. I love these as fun Summer treats.
4k
These are just the sort of thing that I get kind of excited about and kind of angry about all at once, because I SO wish I had come up with this idea! And then I read on and see that you AND a thousand other people came up with it, so I guess the point is, share the love!! Who’s keeping score! These are fabulous, can’t wait to make them
hanaayoob
My brain is currently flipping between *there is no way you could ever make these nut free* and *but oh my god they look so unbelievably amazing*. Being allergic to nuts (and coconut) sucks sometimes!
Jenny
Cookie butter? And then just choc dip rather then adding in the coconut oil?
Christine
I’m so excited to make these! Nothing better than the combo of pb, bananas + chocolate.
Ella
Sadly, I can’t stand banana… but this is major inspo for a strawberry version! Thanks for sharing, I’ll report back if I try with strawbs!
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
brettfish
I’m in love. But more with the glass of substance, forget the bananas, just let me drink that…
Callie Hagood
I hate bananas but you sure make them look yummy!
joythebaker
My main goal in life is to turn non-banana believers into ultimate banana lovers. I’m glad my master plan is working!
Heidi Vix
I would think the problem with having the chocolate in a glass would be the inevitable: “Gee, I could just drink the rest, right?”
Julia
When I saw this on Pinterest, I KNEW it was Joy The Baker before I even saw it was you. Your photos are always familiar, even when it’s something new. They all have your style and it’s inspiring. That’s all. :)
cindyhgpv
I made a batch of banana popsicles this morning…and I thought about adding peanut butter, but I didn’t. I really should have! I want a dozen of these to snack on right now!
Katie
what about cocktail skewers instead of popsicle sticks, to keep the peanut butter from smooshing out? too stabby?
joythebaker
maybe too stubby…
Taylor
Oooh! Sounds delicious! Although, I’m totally trying this with oreos too. haha.
xoxo
Taylor
but i'm hungry
Love this idea. This would be a HUGE hit with my boys. Thanks for sharing. :)
hazel
this is an amazing idea
Trudy L
Thanks for dreaming up food for us, Joy! Well, I know you’re dreaming for yourself, but thanks for always sharing your food dreams!
Jill
1. spread one banana disc with peanut butter. 2. Pierce another banana disc with pretzel / stick. 3. Take stick with impaled banana disc pierce through the banana disc with the peanut butter. 4 Gently tamp top banana disc onto the peanut butter laden bottom banana.
Not sure if this will be less squishy but I am going to give it a try!
joythebaker
i like the way you think! let me know how it goes!
alanna
I tried it and it worked perfectly. No pb swish!
Colleen
Oh, Joy. Is it weird that I think we might be food-brain sisters?
I woke up this morning thinking about tipsy root-beer floats…which somehow ended up in a half-awake dream of toasted-marshmallow creme brulee. I’m now a woman obsessed.
It’s comforting to know that it’s not just *my* food brain that entertains these things. Solidarity, sister. Solidarity.
Sarah
Or wouldn’t it be amazing to squish Oreo cream between the bananas, and sprinkle with Oreo crumbs instead of nuts? Of course I’d have to have the peanut butter ones too, but just trying to bring Oreos back into the equation :)
Kirsten
The littles will love these as a hot summer day snack! I think I will assemble the sandwich on the stick – banana on, pipe pb around stick, second banana on. I am MESSY when dipping in chocolate so I can just imagine how poorly I would do with trying to squish the assembled banana sandwich on the stick.
Julia
I saw your pin of this on Pinterest, and before I saw who pinned it I KNEW it was Joy The Baker. Your photos look familiar even when it’s something new. Your style shows in them all, and it’s inspiring. That’s all. :)
joythebaker
you’re super sweet!
YOLONDA J WASHINGTON
Okay, so this is killing me. Combine things I absolutely love leads to trouble. I must try these!
Trisha (Stew or a Story)
I made a version of these on my blog recently too. I love how yours look like actual popsicles though. So delicious! I love popping one of these into my mouth straight from the freezer. Perfect summer snack!
Andj
Loooove this idea! I am newly obsessed with almond butter, do you think that would be too “mushy” in there?
joythebaker
it might be a little mushy, but maybe that means a little extra time in the freezer. i thin it would be delicious!
Amber @ Sew Let's Cook
I’m drooling! My kids are going to love me for making these. I wonder if they’d be easier to coax onto a stick (or pretzel) if they were partially frozen first?
DessertForTwo
I think there’s a typo here–did you mean to say these are NOT easy to share? Because I would soooo hide these in the frozen spinach bag and eat them all by myself.
joythebaker
hahahha! nooo typo. they’re totally easy to share! you just have to make aaaaa lot so you have enough to hide in the spinach bag.
gracebeekman
Oh my! These look divine! What a great recipe!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Girl Named Allyn
These are soooo dangerous. I think I’ll be subbing out sunflower seed butter (oh marrying into allergies), but yes. Yes. I normally can’t be trusted as it is around the Trader Joe’s chocolate covered frozen bananas, and these look even more dangerous than that.
joythebaker
i was thinking that sunflower seed butter would be incredible!
maryea {happy healthy mama}
I’ve seen these kinds of frozen pb treats all over the Internet, but love that you added a stick. My kids would adore these.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Oh man, these sound so yummy Joy!! Such a nice treat :)
Paulette
Now I’m hungry. I was thinking what could I possibly have for the fourth that would satisfy my sweet tooth. Thanks that certainly would. YUM Paulette
Colleen
Morning oreos in bed craving… You are a super awesome lady!
I always freeze my peanut butter banana rounds before sticking the pretzel in…. not to frozen, just enough where the peanut butter doesn’t squish out.
lisa
looks awesome cant wait to try this.
Vicky
I can’t wait to try these! They would be great for a summer BBQ.
Vera
That’s brilliant! One of the recipes that seem so “logical”, yet require a brilliant food brain to come up with :-)
Hilary
‘We want to freeze these treats once they’re partially frozen.’ What the what? Whatever that means Joy, it doesn’t matter, because you put melted chocolate in a glass. You are my hero.
Belinda Lo (Moonblush Baker)
This is so cute. Have you tired these with strawberries? I think it would also taste delicious!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I put almost this exact thing in my first cookbook except I used Heath Bar Bits rather than chopped peanuts. Love bananas with PB. Ok I love PB with most anything :) Love these, Joy, and pinned!
Dikla
wonderful ! i’m thinking of using cinnamon sticks instead of the popsicle sticks, would work well together :)
Elyse
My kids will be thanking you many times over when i make these! Thank you
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
This is a totally brilliant idea! I consider these health food, with the banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. These things are all good for us, right? Making these, asap!
Lindsay is Broke
Those don’t look gross! <3
Farah @ The Cooking Jar
I’m usually not one for sweet stuff but I’ll make a big exception here because of the banana, chocolate and the honey roasted toppings. It really is a treat!