Chunky Monkey Ice Cream Bites

When the weather gets warmer, I want to turn my classic no-bake desserts into frozen treats. While I’ve already made delicious bites, like my Ice Cream Bites or Snickers Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites, I wanted to make something that had the texture of ice cream, the creaminess and sweetness of banana while still having a crunchy chocolate shell. I came up with the idea of mixing all my favorite ingredients for the filling: coconut yogurt, banana, and maple syrup. I had to find the perfect balance between taste and freezability because not all blends will keep a good texture after freezing. Some mixes turn crystally, and I wanted to keep some creaminess. So I knew I had to go for bananas.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Bananas: The ideal is to choose bananas that are ripe but not overly mushy. They should have brown spots but still hold their shape when peeled. Riper bananas will bring a lot of sweetness. Coconut Yogurt: Use a high-quality, thick coconut yogurt for a creamy texture. Avoid yogurts with added sugars or thickeners. You can alternatively use soy, cashew, or almond yogurt. Maple Syrup: I like to use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup. Pure maple syrup has a richer flavor and no added ingredients. Alternatively, you can use coconut nectar or agave syrup. Dark Chocolate: I choose dairy-free dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for a rich flavor. For the ice cream, I include some chunks that I blender with the bananas, and for the coating, I use chocolate chips. But you can use chips for both or chunks for both. Walnuts: Choose raw, unsalted walnuts for a natural taste. Chop them into small, uniform pieces for even distribution in the ice cream bites.

How to Make Chunky Monkey Ice Cream Bites

This is a really easy, quick recipe. The full instructions are further down, but I included below a few pictures of the critical steps.

Tweaking and Flavoring

Sweetness Level: Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup or using other natural sweeteners like agave nectar or date syrup. Flavor Variations: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the banana mixture for extra flavor depth. Texture: For added texture, mix in some shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips (not blended), vegan marshmallows, or chia seeds. Serving Suggestions: Serve the ice cream bites with a drizzle of almond butter, a sprinkle of sea salt, or a handful of fresh berries for an extra-special treat. Storage Tips: Store the ice cream bites in an airtight container in the freezer. They can be enjoyed straight from the freezer or allowed to sit at room temperature for a few minutes for a softer bite.