15 Minute Banana Bites

These banana bites come together in only 15 minutes, but they will provide you with energy for your whole day! This recipe uses only four ingredients: oats, bananas, protein powder, and cocoa powder. You won’t believe how yummy these allergy-friendly snacks are!

School is starting up again soon, which for many families means a return to a fast-paced schedule with several moving parts. The last thing you want while trying to navigate the whirlwind of fall family life is hungry kids (or adults)! Fast and healthy snacks are a must have to keep everyone energized and happy.

Buying snacks like granola bars or fruit snacks at the store though can quickly add up. And for all that money, they might not be very nutritious. Even “healthy” snacks can be full of ingredients like high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors and colors. And if you have an allergy, that makes finding wholesome snacks that much more difficult.

That’s where these chocolatey banana bites come in. They’re cheap, simple, and free of gluten, dairy, or nuts so you can eat them even if you deal with allergies. These banana bites are so chocolatey and yummy you won’t believe they’re actually good for you!

What are Banana Bites?

Banana bites can be made in so many different ways! You can slice bananas and dip them in melted chocolate. You can spread banana slices with peanut butter and sprinkle with nuts. You can also make them into balls with oats and protein powder, like I’m doing in this recipe.

My version of banana bites uses only four ingredients: oats, bananas, protein powder, and cocoa powder. It makes a chocolatey, sweet treat that also packs a nutritional punch and is free of most allergies.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Most banana bite recipes involve some sort of nut-butter or nut topping, which isn’t great if you have an allergy. Not so with these though! In addition to nuts, these banana bites are free of dairy and gluten making them a great allergy-friendly snack.
• These bites have a great balance of nutrients! Cocoa powder adds magnesium, bananas provide potassium, oats add fiber, and the protein powder provides protein (no surprise there 🙂 ) As a result, you can feel good about enjoying these snacks anytime. Breakfast, pre/post workout, dessert, whenever you like!
• Not only are banana bites full of healthy ingredients, but they also taste pretty delicious. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate?

Tips for making Banana Bites:

• Generally, oats are gluten-free, BUT, if you are highly sensitive to gluten, make sure to use gluten-free oats so you can enjoy these banana bites without making your stomach upset.
• If you don’t have protein powder, you can replace it with another 1/2 cup of oats or 1/2 cup of flax seed. You can also just add 1/2 cup of flax seed to these bites if you want for added nutrition!
• For the protein powder, I used an unflavored collagen protein powder. You could also use a plant-based protein powder if you prefer.
• To make this recipe extra chocolatey, you can use chocolate flavored protein powder instead of plain or vanilla if you like.
• You can keep these snacks in the fridge, but the banana decoration will likely turn brown. They still taste good but don’t look as pretty. To avoid this, you can keep the banana bites in the freezer and de-thaw the bites in the fridge when you want them. They make a great snack or breakfast on the go!

Tools you will need

All you need for this recipe is a bowl, knife, fork, and baking tray with parchment paper.

Ingredients you will need

You only need 4 ingredients to make these snacks:

• 2 1/2 cups oats – You can use old-fashioned or quick oats.
• 3 bananas – It’s helpful to use two slightly mushy bananas for the oat mixture and one ripe banana for the decoration.
• 1/2 cup protein powder – You can use plant-based, whey, or collagen protein powder. You can use vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored protein powder.
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder – I like the Trader Joe’s unsweetened cocoa powder, but any brand is fine. I just really love Trader Joe’s 🙂

How to make Banana Bites

In a bowl, mash the 2 slightly mushy bananas with a fork until they form a sticky paste.

Measure out protein powder and stir it into the banana mixture.

Next, add the cocoa powder to the mixture and stir to incorporate.

Pour the oats into the bowl and stir. Refrigerate the mixture for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Remove the mixture from the fridge, and use your hands to roll the banana mixture into 16 balls. Set the balls on the parchment paper lined tray.

Slice the remaining banana into 16 slices and top each of the banana bites with one slice for decoration.

Store the banana bites in the freezer and de-thaw them in the fridge when you want to eat them. Enjoy!

Looking for more healthy snacks?

Head over to the Kitchen Counter to find more easy and nutritious recipes! Here are a few you might enjoy:

• Carrot Hummus Dip
• Chickpea “Chicken” Salad
• Carrot Cake Sourdough Muffins
• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you make these this recipe and enjoy it, let me know in the comments section below! You can also tag me on instagram @oldfashionedinspiration with a picture of your creation.