These naturally sweet, bite-sized treats are the ultimate way to rescue overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter. Packed with oats and rich dark chocolate, they make for a fantastic, nutrient-dense breakfast-on-the-go or an afternoon pick-me-up that the whole family will love.
Overripe Bananas: 1 large (the riper and more brown-spotted, the sweeter the recipe will be)
Rolled Oats: 1 cup (ground slightly in a blender to help hold their shape)
Almond or Peanut Butter: ¼ cup (acts as a creamy, healthy binder)
Dark Chocolate Chips or Chunks: ¼ cup
Chia Seeds or Ground Flaxseed: 1 tbsp (for an added omega-3 health boost)
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 1 tbsp
Honey or Maple Syrup: 1 tbsp (optional, depending on banana sweetness)
For Coating: 2 tbsp desiccated coconut or extra cocoa powder (for rolling)
Mash the Base: In a medium bowl, use a fork to thoroughly mash your overripe banana until completely smooth. Stir in the nut butter and maple syrup (if using) until well combined. (Food Waste Tip: Use up those completely black, mushy bananas here—the darker they are, the sweeter the balls will be, meaning you can likely skip the maple syrup).
Mix the Dry Ingredients: Fold in the rolled oats, cocoa powder, chia seeds, and chocolate chips until a thick, uniform dough forms. If the mixture feels a little too sticky to handle, add an extra tablespoon of oats.
Chill to Set: Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This allows the oats to absorb the moisture and makes the dough much easier to roll.
Shape into Balls: Once chilled, scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them between your palms into bite-sized energy balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
Add the Final Coating: Roll each finished ball in desiccated coconut or cocoa powder for a clean, non-sticky outer layer. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
YoPRO Power Smoothie by Danone
