Chocolate Covered SunButter Banana Popsicles

Chocolate Covered SunButter Banana Popsicles are a refreshing summer treat with a serving of fruit and tons of flavor, thanks to the combination of chocolate and SunButter!

Nut Free, Peanut Free, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Soy Free, Egg Free, Vegan

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by SunButter, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make the Chelsey Amer Nutrition blog possible!

Here in NYC, the weather is starting to warm and we’re juuuuusttt getting a glimpse of what spring and summer will feel like. And that’s definitely got me in the mood for more refreshing recipes.

As you know, I’m a HUGE fan of “nice cream,” AKA an ice cream-like dessert that’s made from blending frozen bananas. (Side note: if you haven’t tried my SunButter Banana Ice Cream, whatchu waiting for?!)

Frozen bananas take on a creamy consistency that mimics ice cream perfectly. So why not cut down on the dishes and put a stick directly into a banana to make POPSICLES?! Forget about popsicle molds that are SO difficult to clean… that’s so 2019!

These Chocolate Covered SunButter Banana Popsicles are a perfect summer treat!

Frozen bananas covered with SunButter and then dipped in melted chocolate? I’M IN!

Plus, they’re a nut-free dessert that’s school and camp safe.

Is there a better combination than SunButter + chocolate + bananas?

How to Make SunButter Banana Popsicles

To be honest, it took me several tries to get these banana popsicles just right…

First, I tried to cut the banana in half, spread the SunButter in the middle, and hope that acted as the “glue” to hold the stick in place. That was messy!

Then, I tried to stack banana “coins” with SunButter in between. That didn’t cooperate as I thought it would either.

Finally, I got it just right…

I cut large bananas into thirds (or you could cut a medium banana in half). I inserted a lollipop stick into each half, about 2/3 of the way. I coated the bananas in SunButter mixed with coconut oil (to thin it out). Then I froze the coated bananas, with the sticks inside, on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for about 30 minutes. Don’t forget to line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is key for reach removal!

When the SunButter firmed up a bit, I dipped the bananas in melted chocolate and topped with sunflower seeds and flaky sea salt before freezing again. You have to work really quickly at this stage to get the toppings to stick.

How to melt the perfect chocolate…

It took me a few years to truly melt chocolate perfectly. It’s not easy! If you ever watch the food network, you likely see the “double boiler” method. Yeah, that’s great and all, but I don’t have time for that! I’m a mom, business owner, and BUSY (as I know you are too!)…

So, this is how you melt chocolate in the microwave:

1. Combine 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Trust me, adding the coconut oil helps TREMENDOUSLY to get a silky-smooth texture. I also find melting mini chocolate chips speeds up the time and leads to a silky result.
2. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. You likely need about 1 minute to 1 minute and 30 seconds total.

Ingredients in SunButter Banana Popsicles

These SunButter Banana Popsicles have a few key ingredients…

Bananas are the base for this recipe. You probably know that bananas are full of potassium, which can be especially important on hot summer days. Bananas are also satisfying and filling. There’s something about eating a banana that has a more “stick to your ribs” feeling than any other fruit.

SunButter is the second ingredient for these SunButter Banana Popsicles. It bumps up the protein and fat content of this snack. I always recommend pairing fiber-filled fruit (ie: bananas) with a protein and/or fat for staying power (AKA staying full for more than 1 hour).

Coconut oil is probably one of the more controversial foods on the market these days. Wellness gurus love it, but as a dietitian, I know it’s an oil that should be consumed in moderation. It’s high in saturated fat, which isn’t great for heart health. HOWEVER, including some saturated fat in your diet from plant-sources (like coconut oil) is 100% A OK! Coconut oil is actually quite necessary in this recipe because it is solid at cold temperatures and liquid at warm temperatures. Therefore, it 1) helps thin out the SunButter, but also 2) helps it freeze better. I also use coconut oil to melt chocolate perfectly. It’s mild in flavor and delicious. I use this liquid coconut oil.

Chocolate is also quite essential in these Chocolate Covered SunButter Banana Popsicles. My favorite allergy-friendly chocolate brands are Enjoy Life and Pascha.

Aside from melting the chocolate, this is actually a fun recipe to make with kids. They’ll be great at cutting the bananas with a kid-friendly knife, inserting the stick (with help and guidance), coating in SunButter (for older children), and “decorating.”

You can add any toppings you’d like on top of the melted chocolate. I wouldn’t skimp on the flaky sea salt for adults though – it’s perfection!

These Chocolate Covered SunButter Banana Popsicles are…

• Delicious
• Refreshing
• Satisfying
• Allergy-friendly
• Vegan
• Gluten free
• Kid-friendly
• Fun to make

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