The Food Factor: Frozen Banana Splits

Video by Jonathan Parrish and Michaela Parker

Craving a banana split? This makeover recipe includes delicious and nutritious whole fruits and is easy and quick to make. It's also lower in sugar than a traditional banana split and provides some dietary fiber. Making a few small changes will add up!

Frozen Banana Splits

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 1 large banana
• 6 strawberries
• 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks (in 100% fruit juice) or 12 pineapple chunks
• ½ C. chocolate chips, melted
• ¼ C. peanuts, chopped

(Also needed: 6 bamboo skewers)

Instructions:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Peel and slice banana into 1-inch round pieces and slice strawberries in half lengthwise for 12 pieces of each fruit.
3. Wipe the top of the pineapple chunk can with a damp paper towel. Open can carefully. Strain out 12 pieces of pineapple and refrigerate leftover pineapple.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. To each skewer, alternate two pieces each of banana, pineapple, and strawberry. Place kebab on the baking sheet.
6. Repeat process for the other skewers.
7. Drizzle melted chocolate over fruit and sprinkle with peanuts.
8. Freeze and serve (if you are impatient like me, then enjoy kebabs immediately)!

Notes:

• Using a baking sheet will help the fruit freeze the same and keep them from sticking. No room for a baking sheet in the freezer? Place the kebabs side-by-side in a gallon-size, zip-top bag before drizzling. Lay them flat in the freezer and drizzle with chocolate and peanuts before serving. Be sure to wait a couple minutes to allow chocolate to harden and enjoy! 
• Bought too many bananas? Freeze peeled bananas whole or sliced when they get brown spots. Use them in smoothies, in banana bread, or on top of oatmeal! 
• Heat chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl to quickly melt the chocolate.  Heat for 10 – 15 second bursts, stirring in between until just melted. 

Thanks to Food Talk from the University of Georgia Extension Service for this recipe!

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