Choc Banana Pops – Easy, Delicious and HEALTHY!

I love mixing chocolate and banana and I have to say these Choc Banana Pops are one of the easiest, healthiest and downright delicious recipes around.

Did I mention you can make them in 5 minutes?

They can be made as a low key dessert on a weeknight or dress up with some fancy toppings for an impressive snack for the kids or guests. And best of all they will deliver a real energy boost.

Bananas are the ultimate summer fruit. They’re reasonably priced, easy to buy and available at all grocery stores. You can buy in advance and let them ripen in your fruit bowl. Or they’re so easy to freeze, which can add a level of cool creamy-ness that you don’t get when leaving them at room temperature.

I recommend buying in bulk when they’re in season (now). Remove skins, package in zip lock bags and store in the freezer until you’re ready to use.

A banana gives a sustained and substantial boost of energy often used by athletes looking for a quick source of carbohydrate to deliver the energy they need fast. The riper a banana, the quicker it is digested and converted to fuel for our bodies.

Everyone knows that bananas are packed with potassium, which is great for reducing blood pressure. But here are some other reasons to get more bananas into your diet while they’re in season.

Antioxidant power

Bananas have significant antioxidant power. It can reduce the ability of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and prevents heart disease.

Vitamin packed

They’re the best fruit source of vitamin B6 (one small banana provides around a quarter of your daily needs; one big banana provides nearly half of your daily needs). B6 helps with the production of neurotransmitters including serotonin which releases the happiness vibes. Bananas are also high in vitamin C, B group vitamins, folate, niacin and riboflavin.

Low Glycaemic Index

The glycaemic index (GI) measures carbohydrates according to how quickly they are absorbed and raise the glucose level of the blood. The average Glycemic Index of bananas is 52 and this number will reduce for under-ripe bananas as they have a higher starch content and a lower sugar content. As a fruit ripens its sugar (taste) content increases, this is why using old bananas are better when baking or making smoothies. A GI of 52 is classified as low, meaning that it doesn’t cause high blood sugar levels. That makes the banana a good fruit choice for people with diabetes.

The GI index

low GI (less than 55) – soy products, beans, fruit, milk, pasta, grainy bread, porridge and lentils

medium GI (55 to 70) – orange juice, honey, basmati rice and wholemeal bread

high GI (greater than 70) – potatoes, white bread and short-grain rice.

Cancer fighter

Bananas contain lectins (a protein) that are linked to a reduction in the risk of cancer. They can affect the growth of cancer cells.

Perfect pick-me-up 

Carbohydrate snacks are very useful for bringing low blood glucose levels back to normal and help avoid the mid-afternoon slump often experienced at work. Healthy carbohydrate snacks are very useful for clear thinking, improved memory and mood. Bananas are ideal, because of their low GI and zero fat level.

High in fibre

Getting enough fibre in our diet can be tough for some people. High fibre foods are so important as they help keep you regular and prevent constipation. Bananas included in the diet can help restore normal bowel action. A medium banana will provide about 10% of your fibre needs for a day.

So here is the recipe to make Choc Banana Pops (makes 6 pops)

Ingredients

• 3 Bananas
• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ – 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or rice malt syrup (fructose free)
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• Shredded coconut (topping)
• Cacao nibs (toppings)
• 6 paddle pop sticks

Method

1. In a double boiler slowly melt coconut oil and cacao in pot
2. Once combined add your choice of sweetener – mix through for 1 minute
3. Line a plate with baking paper
4. Skin bananas and chop in half
5. Carefully stick paddle pops in the cut edge of banana
6. Dip banana’s in melted cacao mix – use a spoon to pour mixture all over banana

Once fully covered with chocolate lay on a piece of baking paper on a chopping board

1. Sprinkle with coconut or cacao nibs – I recommend you do this as soon as you’ve coated the banana so the topping sticks to the banana
2. Eat immediately OR place in fridge or freezer for 20 minutes to cool
3. Store in fridge for 3 days, if they last that long

NOTE: You can also use frozen bananas, but you will need to let them thaw slightly before you stick the paddle pop sticks in.