Peanut Butter Banana Snack Bites
There’s something instantly comforting about the aroma of ripe bananas meeting warm, nutty peanut butter and a glossy coat of dark chocolate. These Peanut Butter Banana Snack Bites hit all the senses: the soft, yielding banana, the creamy, slightly salty peanut butter, and the snap of chocolate that gives way to a chilled, melt-in-your-mouth center. They feel nostalgic — like childhood lunchbox treats — but grown-up enough for a quick, health-conscious pick-me-up.
If you love simple, no-fuss snacks, you might also enjoy a peanut-butter-forward dessert such as easy no-bake peanut butter cookies that echo the same cozy flavors in a different format.
At a glance, these bites are ideal for cozy mornings with coffee, after-school snacks, party platters, or a healthy dessert during the holidays. They’re quick to assemble, freezer-friendly, and portable — perfect for busy days or casual gatherings.
At a Glance
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time (melting chocolate): 5–10 minutes
- Freeze/Set Time: 20–30 minutes
- Total Time: about 40–50 minutes (including freezing)
- Servings: Makes about 12 snack bites (24 banana rounds → 12 sandwiches)
- Difficulty Level: Easy — great for beginners or kids with supervision
Nutrition Highlights
Nutrition per serving (one bite — recipe yields ~12)
- Calories: ~103 kcal
- Protein: ~2.3 g
- Carbohydrates: ~10 g
- Sugars: ~5 g
- Fiber: ~1.5 g
- Fat: ~6.2 g
Notes on accuracy: These values are estimates calculated from standard USDA FoodData Central entries for a medium banana, creamy peanut butter, and semisweet/dark chocolate. Nutrition can vary by brand and portion sizes; use package labels for exact numbers. For general healthy-eating guidance and fiber recommendations, resources such as the USDA and Mayo Clinic provide useful, science-based context.
Why You’ll Love It
- Irresistible balance: The natural sweetness and creaminess of banana pairs perfectly with slightly salty peanut butter and the bitter-sweetness of dark chocolate, creating a classic flavor combination everyone recognizes.
- Quick and satisfying: Assembly is fast — no baking required — and one bite is a pleasantly filling mini-treat (~100 kcal).
- Kid- and party-friendly: These are great for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or as bite-sized offerings at casual gatherings.
- Crowd-pleasing texture: The chilled banana gives a firm, cool center; the peanut butter adds richness; and the chocolate shell adds snap and visual polish.
- Health-forward tweakability: You can control sugar and fat by choosing natural peanut butter, dark chocolate with higher cacao, or swapping ingredients for allergy-friendly options.
How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Snack Bites
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas (but not overly mushy)
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (about 80 g) — use natural or regular depending on sweetness/salt preference
- 4 oz (112 g) semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)
- Optional ingredients / substitutions:
- 1 tsp coconut oil or butter (to thin the chocolate for smoother dipping)
- Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
- 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup (if you prefer a sweeter peanut butter layer)
- Almond or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free or different flavor)
- Crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or crushed cereal for coating
Step-by-step instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Peel the bananas and slice into thick rounds (about 1/2-inch / 1.25 cm thick). Aim for even slices so sandwiches line up neatly.
- Spread a thin layer (~1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon) of creamy peanut butter on one banana slice; top with another slice to make a sandwich. Repeat to make about 12 sandwiches. If your peanut butter is very thick, stir it first to a spreadable consistency.
- Melt the chocolate: place chopped chocolate (and optional 1 tsp coconut oil) in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring between each burst, until smooth; or melt in a double boiler over gently simmering water.
- Dip each banana sandwich into the melted chocolate to coat completely or halfway (as desired). Use a fork to lift and let excess chocolate drip off.
- Place coated bites on the parchment-lined tray; if desired, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut while the chocolate is still wet.
- Freeze until the chocolate sets and the banana is nicely chilled — about 20–30 minutes.
- Transfer finished bites to an airtight container and store in the freezer. Enjoy straight from the freezer as a quick snack.
Practical tips
- Work quickly when assembling so bananas don’t brown; chilling the banana slices briefly before sandwiching can help.
- If chocolate thickens, warm briefly (10–15 seconds) in the microwave and stir.
- Don’t overfill with peanut butter — it can ooze during dipping. A thin, even layer is best for texture and portion control.
- If using a double boiler, avoid any water getting into the chocolate.
Best Pairings
- Serve simply straight from the freezer for a cool dessert.
- On a breakfast platter alongside Greek yogurt and granola for a playful twist.
- With a steaming mug of coffee or chai — chocolate and banana pair beautifully with warm spices.
- For a savory contrast at a party, place next to cheese and charcuterie; the sweet bites provide a nice palate reset.
- Try drizzling extra peanut butter or a little honey on top for an extra-special presentation.
How to Store
- Room temperature: Not recommended. Bananas will soften and the chocolate shell will melt — best to avoid leaving these at room temp for more than an hour.
- Refrigerator: Up to 2–3 days, but texture will be softer; chocolate may sweat. Best to use briefly if you plan to eat within a day.
- Freezer: Up to 2 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking. Thaw for a minute or two at room temperature before serving if desired.
Insider Secrets
- Best bananas: Choose bananas that are ripe but still firm (yellow with a few brown speckles). Overripe ones get mushy when frozen.
- Chocolate choice: Higher-cacao dark chocolate (-70%) gives a sophisticated bittersweet contrast; semisweet is more kid-friendly.
- Peanut butter texture: Natural peanut butter (oil separated) can be stirred smooth for a fresher taste; unsweetened varieties reduce sugar.
- Prevent sogginess: Freeze sandwiches for 10–15 minutes before dipping in chocolate — this helps the chocolate set quicker and creates a cleaner shell.
- Sharp snap: Chill the dipped bites on a metal tray in the freezer for faster, crisper setting of chocolate.
Fun Flavor Ideas
- Vegan / nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter and dairy-free dark chocolate for a nut-free vegan version.
- Sprinkle-studded: After dipping, roll the edges in crushed pretzels, toasted coconut, or chopped roasted peanuts for texture.
- Almond-cocoa twist: Swap peanut butter for almond butter and use milk or dark chocolate with a dusting of cocoa powder.
- Spiced banana: Mix a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom into the peanut butter for a warm-spiced note.
- Peanut butter & jelly mini: Add a tiny dab of fruit jam inside the peanut butter layer for a PB&J variation — keep it minimal to avoid sogginess.
Recipe Q&A
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes — they keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Freeze on a tray until set, then transfer to an airtight container.
Q: My chocolate seized while melting. What now?
A: Add a small amount (1 tsp) of neutral oil or a few drops of warm water and stir vigorously; alternatively, remelt gently with a splash of coconut oil.
Q: Can I substitute almond butter or other nut butters?
A: Absolutely. Almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butters all work; flavor and fat content will alter the taste and nutrition slightly.
Q: How do I avoid soggy banana centers?
A: Use slightly underripe-but-still-sweet bananas and don’t over-thin the peanut butter. Freeze the sandwiches briefly before dipping to help maintain texture.
Q: Are these healthy?
A: They’re a portion-controlled treat with fruit and protein from peanut butter. Choose natural peanut butter and dark chocolate for a lower added sugar option; enjoy as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
These Peanut Butter Banana Snack Bites are an effortless, nostalgic treat that’s as versatile as it is delicious — perfect for quick snacks, kid-friendly lunches, or a simple dessert. Try the variations, tweak the chocolate and nut-butter combination to suit your preferences, and share the results with friends and family.
For more inspiration and similar simple bites, check out this round-up of recipes like Banana Peanut Butter Snack Bites – Kelly Jones Nutrition and another four-ingredient take on the concept at Banana Peanut Butter Bites with 4 ingredients- Flora & Vino.
If you make these, I’d love to see your photos and tweaks — leave a comment, tag a friend, and join the community of snack lovers experimenting with simple, wholesome treats.
Print
Peanut Butter Banana Snack Bites
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 snack bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These snack bites combine ripe bananas, creamy peanut butter, and a chocolate coating, offering a nostalgic treat that’s perfect for a quick, health-conscious pick-me-up.
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (about 80 g)
- 4 oz (112 g) semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp coconut oil or butter (optional)
- Sea salt flakes (optional)
- 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Almond or sunflower seed butter (optional)
- Crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or crushed cereal for coating (optional)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Peel the bananas and slice into thick rounds (about 1/2-inch thick).
- Spread a thin layer of creamy peanut butter on one banana slice; top with another slice to make a sandwich. Repeat to make about 12 sandwiches.
- Melt the chocolate: place chopped chocolate (and optional coconut oil) in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each banana sandwich into the melted chocolate to coat completely or halfway.
- Place coated bites on the parchment-lined tray; sprinkle with sea salt, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut if desired.
- Freeze until the chocolate sets, about 20–30 minutes.
- Transfer finished bites to an airtight container and store in the freezer.
Notes
These bites are freezer-friendly and perfect for busy days. Work quickly when assembling so the bananas don’t brown.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 103
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6.2g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 2.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg