Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Chocolate-Covered Bananas 3.4 (426) 1 Review These easy treats prove that the best desserts are often the simplest. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 24, 2024 Rate PRINT Share Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Rachel Marek Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 6 These chocolate-covered bananas are simple, sweet, and ideal for last-minute desserts or snacks. They're easy to make, and you can easily double or triple a recipe for a make-ahead treat. Even better, they are a delightful way to combine the fiber and potassium in bananas with the antioxidants in chocolate. Our recipe for chocolate-covered bananas can be customized with a wide range of toppings, making them perfect for special occasions. What's more, the same toppings don't need to be used throughout the entire batch; feel free to vary the ingredients between bananas, which will be particularly helpful when serving guests with dietary restrictions. Should You Refrigerate Bananas? Best Bananas to Use Use bananas that are ripe but firm. They should have a yellow peel with almost no brown spots. Avoid using overripe bananas, which can be too soft for this recipe. If you have leftover melted chocolate after making these treats, spread it on waxed paper and refrigerate until hardened. Then, chop and reserve it for sprinkling on ice cream or frozen yogurt. Ingredients 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 6 popsicle sticks or wooden skewers 2 bananas, peeled and cut crosswise into thirds ⅓ cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts Directions Rachel Marek Melt chocolate: Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pan of gently simmering water. Stir just until melted. Rachel Marek Insert popsicle sticks: Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Insert a popsicle stick in one end of each banana piece. Rachel Marek Dip bananas in chocolate: Dip banana in chocolate, one piece at a time, spooning on additional chocolate to cover. Rachel Marek Add peanuts: Sprinkle each banana with peanuts (or your alternate topping of choice), and set on prepared baking sheet. Rachel Marek Refrigerate until firm: Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, 20 minutes, then serve. Rachel Marek Variation: Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites To turn this recipe into a bite-sized snack, cut the bananas into slices instead of thirds. Dip the slices into melted chocolate using a slotted spoon; you won't need the popsicle sticks. Place them on a prepared baking sheet and chill until firm. Topping Ideas Nuts: You can substitute or combine with different types of nuts. Tasty options include walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and macadamia nuts. Coconut flakes: Shredded coconut or flakes will add a delicious tropical twist to your snack. Diced fruit: For even more nutrients and flavor, top the bananas with diced strawberries, mango, or cherries. Sprinkles: Add some color to your treat with sprinkles. Use themed sprinkles if you're celebrating a special occasion, like Halloween or Easter. Sauce: Drizzle caramel or butterscotch sauce on to the bananas just before chilling. Nut butter: Top the chocolate-covered bananas with a drizzle of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter. For a nut-free option, use sunflower seed butter. Flaky sea salt: If you love sweet and salty snacks, finish the snack with a generous helping of sea salt. Storing Chocolate-Covered Bananas The snack lasts up to 3 days in the fridge or 2 to 3 months in the freezer. Always use an airtight container. Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions Do you need to use semisweet chocolate? No. You can use any type of chocolate you like, including dairy-free or dark chocolate. How long can chocolate-covered bananas sit out? Chocolate-covered bananas will quickly soften at room temperature, so plan to eat them right out of the fridge or freezer. Try These Other Banana Recipes: Banana Pancakes Banana Cream Pudding Banana Cupcakes With Honey-Cinnamon Frosting Banana-Blueberry Smoothie No-Bake Banana Split Cake Originally appeared: Everyday Food, March 2006 Rate It PRINT Updated by Kirsten Nunez Kirsten Nunez Kirsten Nunez is a writer who focuses on food, health, nutrition, and DIY. She has a master's degree in nutrition, and has been writing professionally for nearly 10 years for digital and print publications, such as Martha Stewart, Shape, Real Simple, Healthline, and SELF. She also creates original recipes, which have appeared on product packaging in stores.