These frozen chocolate-covered banana bites are made with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a crunchy coating of nutty-flavored hemp seeds, unsweetened coconut, and chopped pecans. It’s a gluten-free dessert with a healthy twist that your family will love!
First there was quinoa; then there were chia seeds; and now hemp seeds have made their way into my kitchen. It took me a while to jump on the hemp seed bandwagon, but now that I’m on it, I can’t get off.
Hemp seeds (also known as hemp hearts) are the star ingredient in this recipe for Frozen Chocolate-and-Hemp-Smothered Banana Bites.
These tiny super seeds (also known as hemp hearts) are a complete protein—they contain all 21 amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids—and they have a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids. They’re also an excellent source of magnesium, a nutrient important for healthy blood pressure and strong bones.
Hemp seeds are versatile …
Use them as an ingredient in homemade granola bars, cookies, muffins, pancakes, or overnight oats, as a topping for salads and parfaits, as a component in coatings for chicken or fish, and blended into smoothies.
Dip banana slices in chocolate ….
… coat in the hemp seed mixture. And then freeze.
- Serves: 8
- Serving size: 3 pieces
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated fat: 4.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons expeller pressed canola oil
- 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled and cut into twenty four ½-inch slices
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside.
- Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the hemp seeds, pecans, and coconut and toast, stirring constantly until lightly golden and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Lower the heat if the mixture browns too quickly. Remove from heat or transfer to a shallow bowl and cool.
- Meanwhile, heat the chocolate chips and canola oil in a double boiler over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate melts, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for about 3 minutes.
- To make the banana bites, use our (almost) mess-free dipping method: Use a toothpick or wooden skewer and insert horizontally into one banana slice. Dip carefully into the melted chocolate, coating about 80% of the slice. Dip into the hemp mixture and coat well. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet, remove the toothpick, and repeat with the remaining banana slices.
- Place baking sheet in the freezer, making sure to keep it flat, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
Have you used hemp seeds before? How do you use them?
I love recipe! That must taste delicious!
So funny that you are doing a Thrive giveaway. I’ve been hearing about Thrive for the past week or so and wondering what it was all about. Now I have to go see for myself! I’ve been sprinkling hemp on my chocolate bark and love how it looks and tastes. Looking forward to trying this one…and planning to have your podcast keep me company when I’m recipe testing later today.
Glad to keep you company, Katie. What are you testing today? We’d love to know!
Oh how I loveee my frozen banana slices! The addition of hemp and chocolate to them..genius!
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
These look great for a refreshing summer snack!
These are such a perfect healthy sweet treat! Hemp seeds are SOOO good!
These look amazing! I know my daughter would absolutely love them!
I`m going to make this recipe as I already have all the ingredients.. Sounds and looks wonderful. Hemp seeds are AWESOME. I put in everything.
Thanks so much.
P.S. I just found Thrive Market a couple days ago and glad for it. 🙂
Let us know how the banana bites turn out!
I’ve been looking for a way to try using hemp seeds and this is perfect. I can’t wait to make them with my 6 yr old and 3 yr old. They both love frozen bananas with chocolate so this will be a fun and healthy addition!
Fantastic. Please let me know how the recipe works out for you and if the kids love the banana bites!
Please let me know what you think of the recipe and what the kids think!