Coco Banana Freeze Bites – Frozen energy balls which are easy to make, packed full of goodness and ready to eat straight from the freezer. Gluten free and optional dairy free, or vegan.
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DON’T LOSE THIS RECIPE! PIN IT FOR LATER…
Banana Freeze Bites with coconut – healthy, easy snacks for kids and grown ups
No word of a lie… These Coco Banana Freeze Bites are one of the most requested recipes in our house. Which is a good thing, because they are really nutritious and easy to store… And that means healthy treats and snacks and less crisps and junk.
Even better, they are the easiest recipe to make. Apart from weighing out a bunch of stuff into a bowl, the rest is just mixing it up, rolling into balls and popping in the freezer.
What are Banana Freeze Bites?
Coco Banana Freeze Bites were born out of the joys of neglected bananas. In our house, brown bananas are quite possibly at the top of hubbie’s ‘10 reasons to divorce the wife’ list. I am regularly shamed into hurried creation, to avoid the sarcastic ‘see you over-stocked on bananas again’ comments. If this sounds familiar, Coco Banana Freeze Bites may just be your rescue (and could save your relationship).
And so came about the creation of these delightful frozen energy balls and a recipe that lends itself perfectly to lengthening the life of ‘past it’ bananas… even when you can’t be bothered to cook. Although if you are looking for baking inspiration, Banana Bread, delicious Chocolate Banana Muffins, or even gluten free Banana Brownies are divine.
I digress… Banana Freeze Bites are basically just mooshed over-ripe bananas mixed with loads of other good stuff… Lots of nuts, oats and coconut (including a little coconut flour ), a little spice and vanilla and some unrefined sugar. Better still, they are completely raw. No cooking involved whatsoever. Healthy treats, frozen and ready to eat! Definitely one of my more inspired moments.
Okay… I did add some chocolate chips to the mix too… But for an even healthier option, just make sure the chocolate is extra dark (my post for Chocolate-Avocado Mousse gives a little more info on why dark is best), or use carob chips as an alternative.
What do these frozen energy balls taste like?
Some of you may be thinking ‘frozen energy balls… what?????’. But seriously, you have to try these! Apart from the sheer convenience of having healthy ready snacks in the freezer that you can batch-make, they are delicious and moreishly addictive.
What do they taste like? Soft, cold, naturally sweetened breakfast bars is probably the best way to describe them. There’s lots of coconut flavour and texture, mingled with soft banana. The oats, bring bite and creaminess, which is set against melty chocolate bits and crunchy nuts… All with a hint of cinnamon. As the warmth of eating envelopes each bite, the balls quickly soften and melt into an array of complimentary flavours. Delicious anticipation!
How to Freeze Banana Freeze Bites
There’s no magic to freezing these healthy treats, but to make ‘grab and go’ as easy as possible, it’s worth freezing separately before bagging. This avoids them sticking together. Simply arrange the balls on a tray with a slight gap between them and freeze apart before transferring to bags or airtight containers for storage.
Can I vary the recipe?
Since this recipe is made up of a bit of this and a bit of that and it’s all just mixed together, you can add or substitute whatever you like… as long as it’s edible raw.
If there are ingredients you don’t like or don’t have, substitute with something you do. Dairy free? Make sure the chocolate is safe for you. Vegan? Sub the honey with extra maple syrup or some delicious date syrup. If you are gluten free, make sure you use gluten free oats and oat flour.
Then just roll the dough into balls and stick them in the freezer… Done!
When to eat Coco Banana Freeze Bites
Actually, we eat Coco-Banana Freeze Bites for breakfast. Yes… really. They are delicious and full of energy-giving ingredients to get the day off to a fantastic start. And they are the perfect grab and run food (which in our house is a daily necessity). Pop them in a bag and munch as you walk/drive/train. And if they defrost, they don’t melt either!
These frozen energy balls are perfect for growing children, easily adaptable to the contents of the larder and have great novelty value with little ones. I speak from experience. ‘Frozen breakfast mummy?’ is way too good to miss…
Don’t fancy the thought of frozen breakfast? Coco Banana Freeze Bites are also perfect as instant after-school sustenance when energy levels are sagging. Or for a pre/post gym or Pilates boost. And any other time when you need ‘something’ but want to avoid the crisp bag.
Stay in touch
If you make Banana Freeze Bites or any variant of frozen energy balls, I’d love to hear from you. What did you change? What did you or the kids think? Will you make them again?
Leave a comment below, send me an email or tag me on social media (links at the top of the page).
And if you’re looking for ideas for a more leisurely breakfast or brunch, why not take a look at our dedicated index of breakfast and brunch recipes? For everything else, you’ll find tons of inspiration on our main recipe Index Page.
Coco Banana Freeze Bites (Frozen Energy Balls)
Key equipment
- Kitchen scales
- measuring spoons
- large mixing bowl
- wooden/silicone spoon
- Baking tray
- freezer
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas over-ripe is fine
- 30 g gluten free oat flour Easy to make : See NOTES
- 60 g gluten free oats
- 30 g ground almonds
- 25 g ground hazelnuts
- 50 g coconut flour
- 35 g shredded (desiccated) coconut
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 80 g chocolate chips/chunks or carob chips
- 25 g macademia nuts (optional) – crushed
- 2 tbsp runny honey or sub with maple or date syrup if vegan
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 20 g coconut sugar or soft brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
- Add all the other ingredients and mix thoroughly with a wooden/silicone spoon until the mixture has a ‘damp’ appearance.
- Take spoonfuls of the dough and with your hands, roll into balls the size of a large walnut.
- Place the balls on a baking tray with a small gap between them to avoid any sticking together. and cover with cling film and freeze.
- Place the whole tray in the freezer and leave for a couple of hours until the balls are frozen.
- When frozen, transfer the energy balls to a bag or airtight container and store frozen and ready to eat.
Notes
Nutrition
© 2019-2021 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist
Banana Freeze Bites shared with :
- Full Plate Thursday #496 with Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
- Creative Muster #396 with Fluster Buster
- Meatless Monday with Confessions of a Mother Runner and A Whisk and Two Wands
- What’s For Dinner #264 with The Lazy Gastronome
- Fiesta Friday #341 with Angie and Food For The Soul
Previously shared with : Cook Once Eat Twice with Searching For Spice; Free From Fridays with Le Coin De Mel; Brilliant Blog Posts with Honest Mum; Cook Blog Share with Easy Peasy Foodie; and Family Foodies with Bangers & Mash.
Oohh these sound good! Pinned to try later (I need to get bananas to brown). Thanks for sharing this at the What’s for Dinner party. I appreciate your contributions to our party.
Thank you Helen.
You’re so welcome x
I must try making these yummy healthy treats!
I know right?! They sound like they shouldn’t work…. But they are a favourite here! x
There is so much goodness in those bite size morsels of deliciousness! I always have couple overripe bananas on the go and also two constantly hungry little boys who will soon eat us out of house and home lol so these will be perfect snack to try! 🙂 x
Thanks Jo. It's amazing what you can pack into a mouthful! Kids love these…. well the ones they have been tested on do. There is something about the novelty of having a non-ice cream snack from the freezer too! x
Your amazing Coco-Banana Freeze Bites would be perfect after school! Just for the sake of making them like lollies, I think I'd stick a lolly stick in them, hahaha! I'm the same when it comes to bananas and I end up freezing loads for ice cream or smoothies. x
Thanks Mel. I hadn't thought of sticking a lolly stick in them….. Interesting thought! x
These sound like a great idea. I'm terrible for just grabbing toast in the morning!
We love them Emma. And best of all….. Once they are in the freezer, there's no further preparation needed! x
Soooo many lovely ingredients, they all make my mouth water, the perfect combination to cure my afternoon lulls in energy, sometimes I feel like dropping on the spot around 3pm but this sort of snack keeps me on track #G2BGF
Thanks Rebecca. They are a perfect bite to keep your energy levels up! x
These sound brilliant! I've just updated an old energy balls post from a few years ago too and it's made me think I want to make more 'ball food'. I can see just how great these would be as an after school snack and I'm sure I'd be snacking on them throughout the day too! Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice x
You're welcome Corina and thanks. It was one of those recipes that just needed to be re-shared….. They are so good to have 'there' in the freezer where they don't go off and are always available! x
PS I LOVE the new banner!
Thanks Vicki….. I have decided that I like the logo…. It's mine and it says what I want it to! x
Love things like this! I am forever bunging things in a blender and making them into balls…such a lovely healthy way to eat yummy wholesome foods. And I love the idea of freezing them! Perfect for the summer!
They are rather delicious….. and these one's don't even need a blender….. Just give the kids the ingredients and a bowl and tell them to make their own snacks!!!! The frozen novelty is a wheeze too….. !
Love the look of these. We always end up with a good few over-ripe bananas and my daughters are crazy about any treats of the frozen variety so I think these would go down a storm in our house. A lovely entry for this month's Family Foodies #FabFastFood challenge. Thanks for taking part!
Thanks Vanesther. I thoroughly recommend them. We are definitely hooked and happy that they are so much healthier than the sugar-filled stuff usually craved! Always a fun challenge…. Thanks for hosting!
Wonderful recipe idea! I always freeze over-ripe bananas and I actually have some stuffed in the freezer right now – so I could totally make these 😀 (although I would have to cook the banana first as, for some reason, raw bananas give me stomach cramps) I love the ingredients you've used!
Definitely try them Aimee. Could bake the bananas first I reckon in their skins, before mushing them into the rest of the ingredients? If you do try, let me know how you get on. The flavours, textures and convenience of such a healthy snack (which doesn't have a 'sell-by') is absolutely worth it!
These sound just my kind fo thing. Lots of textures and flavours and healthy too. Must give these a go. An original idea to you, is still an original idea. I've got some bananas stashed in the freezer, so must give these a go
Thanks Katie…….. you're right. I had the idea and that's good! And given that the idea ended up with these is not so bad…….. (except that I can't stop eating them!)
Wow, they are really full of good things, well done. I wish there would be some of them in my freezer right now, but there is no banana anywhere nearby at the moment.
Thanks Chris. I might even have to encourage the bananas to over-ripen for this one!!! They are so easy to munch (every time we pass the freezer…….)