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Frozen Bananas

Frozen bananas are a popular dessert or snack, especially in Southern California where two businesses claim to have invented it. It was Don Phillips, however—known as the frozen banana king—who was the first to start selling the sweet treat. Around 1940 he opened a stand called The Original Frozen Banana in Orange County, California. The recipe is made by skewering a banana, freezing it, coating it in melted chocolate, and rolling it in toppings like chopped nuts or sprinkles. Today, frozen bananas are enjoyed across the US but remain especially popular in California.  

Recipe Servings: 4

Prep Time
4 minutes
+ 3 hours resting
Cook Time
1 minute
Total Time
3 hours 5 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

  • 4 bananas, medium ripe but firm
  • 4 wooden craft sticks or popsicle sticks
  • ¼ cup salted peanuts, finely chopped (optional)
  • 32 oz semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1–2 Tbsp shortening, divided

Directions

  1. Peel bananas and insert a stick about halfway into the end of each one.
  2. Place bananas on a plate, cover it with plastic wrap, and chill in the freezer about 3 hours or until frozen.
  3. Place the peanuts on a plate, if using.
  4. Line a separate plate with waxed paper.
  5. Place the chocolate and 1 tablespoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir. If needed, continue to microwave in 20 second intervals until it can be stirred smooth. Add remaining shortening if the mixture is too thick.
  6. Dip a banana into the melted chocolate, rolling it or using a spoon to coat it completely.
  7. Roll the chocolate-covered banana in the peanuts, if using.
  8. Place the banana on the plate lined with waxed paper.
  9. Repeat steps six through eight using the remaining three bananas.
  10. Chill bananas in freezer until the chocolate is hardened and ready to serve.

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