Ah, the 4th of July: a day filled with fireworks and an abundance of all things red, white and blue. Also, synonymous with the 4th is food, and lots of it. From barbecues and picnics to late night fireworks celebrations, Independence Day is filled with eating. And where there’s a main course, there’s dessert! This year, Chiquita wants to help make it a healthy one with our recipe for Patriotic Banana Pops.
An Independence Day Recipe: Red, White and Blue Banana Popsicles
Take 1 whole Chiquita banana and cut it in half across the middle, then insert a popsicle stick into the chopped side and place in the freezer for about an hour.
Right before your pops are done freezing, whip up an easy chocolate coating by melting some chocolate chips in the microwave (don’t forget to use a microwave-safe bowl) on half-power in increments of 15-30 seconds, checking every 10 seconds or so to avoid burning.
Now It’s Time for Some Fun
Dip your frozen bananas in the melted chocolate to coat them (leaving the base chocolate-free: that’s the white part in red, white and blue) and then it’s a topping free-for-all! Grab your favorite blue and red fruits like blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, chop them into small pieces, and place them on your chocolate covered banana by hand or by rolling the banana in the toppings. You can add a crunchy kick by adding some crushed nuts or crisp rice cereal (which can also act as the white part, if you don’t want to lose any chocolate real estate) to the mix. When you’ve got your banana pops just how you want them, place them on wax paper and let them set in the freezer for at least another hour.
Click here for more detailed instructions from ChiquitaBananas.com
Banana Pops For All Tastes: Healthy Snackers and Chocolate Lovers Alike!
If you’re looking to slim down your waistline this summer but don’t want to miss out on the fun, you can still make these Patriotic Pops without the melted chocolate or extra toppings. Feeling indulgent? Use red, white and blue M&Ms as your toppings!
Whether you’re a parent with kids, or just a big kid yourself (because we all are, really), these banana pops are perfect for any 4th of July picnic or barbecue and make a great companion for fireworks shows.