Frozen Mocha Banana Bites

By Trish Coffman

It’s true what they say: A little dark chocolate every now and then is actually good for you.

Fortify your fix with potassium-packed bananas, protein-rich nuts and nut butter, plus a slight kick of espresso.

You will need:

• 3 firm bananas
• 3/4 C bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 C almond or peanut butter
• 2 tsp instant espresso powder (optional)
• 1/4 C chopped nuts (optional)
• toothpicks or a wooden skewer
• baking sheet covered in aluminum foil or parchment paper

Peel bananas and cut into 1-inch-thick slices. Place chocolate chips, nut butter and espresso powder in a large microwave-safe bowl (preferably glass) and pop it in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir the mixture, then cook for another minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in the nuts, if using.

Insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into a banana slice and dunk it into the melted chocolate mixture, swirling to completely coat the banana, then slip it off the toothpick onto the foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue until all bananas are chocolate covered.

Place the bananas in the freezer and freeze for at least 2 hours. If frozen overnight, let bananas sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating them.