Description
These Easy No-Bake Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Bites are a healthy, delicious snack combining ripe bananas, almond butter, oats, and rich dark chocolate. Naturally sweetened and coated with a smooth chocolate layer, these bite-sized treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Mixture
- 2 medium ripe bananas (mashed until smooth)
- 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (for coating and folding)
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients and Tools: Gather all ingredients and tools including a mixing bowl, fork for mashing, and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Mash Bananas: Peel the ripe bananas and mash them in the mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Almond Butter: Add the almond butter to the mashed bananas and stir until the mixture is well combined.
- Add Rolled Oats: Incorporate the rolled oats into the mixture and stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Add Sweetener and Cocoa: Pour in the honey or maple syrup along with the cocoa powder, mixing completely to form a homogeneous chocolatey dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips to ensure they are evenly dispersed throughout the mixture.
- Shape Bites: Scoop out small portions and roll them into bite-sized balls, placing them carefully on the prepared baking sheet.
- Refrigerate to Firm Up: Chill the formed bites in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up and hold their shape.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the remaining dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl at 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Coat Bites: Dip each firm bite into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off, and place back on the parchment-lined tray.
- Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt atop each chocolate-coated bite before the chocolate sets to enhance flavor.
- Final Chill: Refrigerate the coated bites again for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
- Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and easier mashing.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey for a different natural sweetener option.
- Ensure chocolate chips are dark and unsweetened or semi-sweet for best flavor balance.
- Sea salt on top enhances the chocolate flavor; omit if avoiding salt.
- You can store these bites in the freezer for longer preservation.
- For a nut-free version, try substituting almond butter with sunflower seed butter.
