We’re not gonna lie—we think this is one of our fave easy snack creations yet! And the crazy thing is it’s not even so unusual, in fact, you’ve likely had your own variation of this, but this version is so good, we wanted to make sure you have this in your recipe toolbox too. After all, a good, healthy snack that you enjoy eating can help to keep you on track for the entire day, boosting your energy, filling you with nutrients and helping prevent cravings and overeating later in the day. Ultimately it can help you to lose weight—if that’s your goal.
And you have a love affair with PB (like we do 😉 ) you’ll wanna give these lil’ numbers a whirl- our healthy Microwave Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, our Wild Blueberry Cookies and our Minute Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
This nutrient-rich popsicle feels like an indulgent, satiating treat yet is packed with nutrients that work to keep you calm on the inside while keeping your energy and mood stable, and improving concentration (and attitude! :)) throughout the day. Eating this frozen “popsicle” feels like a dessert—yet it’s entirely wholesome and there’s no added sugar!
Here are just a few reasons this pop-sicle snack is the bomb! Or shall we say, the “pop!” 🙂
• The anthocyanins in blueberries have been found to improve memory and protect against age-related deterioration of memory function.
• Not only are blueberries low in calories (80 calories/cup, 3.6 g fiber), but research suggests they actually may assist weight loss (yahoo!) because they contain the phytochemical C3G that may increase production of both adiponectin (which enhances fat metabolism) and leptin (which suppresses appetite). Oh yeah!
• Peanut butter is rich in protein and fiber and is rich, creamy and helps improve satiation.
• Bananas are potassium-loaded, helping to flush bloat from sodium and relax muscles to boot.
PB & Bananaberry Frozen Pops (or Blueberry Banana Boats)
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 large banana
2 tablespoons peanut butter
15-20 blueberries
1 strawberry, sliced
1 teaspoon chopped peanuts
Directions
For PB & Bananaberry Frozen Pops:
1. Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the bottom of a freezer- safe Tupperware. Tupperware should be large enough to hold a banana. As an alternative simply lay out a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.
2. Cut banana in half horizontally. Carefully push a popsicle stick halfway through each piece of banana starting from the side that you sliced the banana.
3. Spoon a thin layer of the peanut butter over the top half (opposite side of the stick) of each banana.
4. Decorate each banana pop by sticking the blueberries and strawberries to the peanut butter. Sprinkle peanut butter with chopped peanuts, if using. (NOTE: You can eat as is at this stage but we recommend freezing for a really indulgent-feeling treat!)
5. Place the pops on the parchment paper in the Tupperware and freeze for several hours or until desired frozen consistency is reached. If you aren’t using Tupperware, simply wrap the banana in the wax paper and freeze. It will freeze more quickly this way but may get a bit more solidly frozen.
6. Remove from freezer and dig in!
Nutrition facts per serving: 178 Calories, 21 g carbohydrate, 6 g protein (we like to boost the protein sometimes by rolling the fruit & nut covered pop in Greek yogurt before freezing—yum!) or by adding extra nuts!) 9 g fat, 6 mg sodium, 4 g fiber
Directions for Blueberry Banana Boats:
1. Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the bottom of a freezer- safe Tupperware. Tupperware should be large enough to hold a banana. As an alternative, simply lay out a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.
2. Cut banana in half lengthways.
3. Spread a layer of the peanut butter over each half of banana.
4. Decorate each banana boat with blueberries and sliced strawberry and sprinkle with chopped peanuts if you are using. (NOTE: You can eat as is at this stage but we recommend freezing for a really indulgent-feeling treat!)
5. Place the boats on the parchment paper in the Tupperware and freeze for several hours or until desired frozen consistency is reached. If you aren’t using Tupperware, simply wrap the banana in the wax paper and freeze. It will freeze more quickly this way but may get a bit more solidly frozen.
6. Remove from freezer and dig in!
Nutrition facts per serving: 178 Calories, 21 g carbohydrate, 6 g protein (we like to boost the protein by adding extra nuts!), 9 g fat, 6 mg sodium, 4 g fiber
- 1 large banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 15-20 blueberries
- 1 strawberry, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chopped peanuts
- For PB & Bananaberry Frozen Pops
- :
- Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the bottom of a freezer- safe Tupperware. Tupperware should be large enough to hold a banana. As an alternative simply lay out a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.
- Cut banana in half horizontally. Carefully push a popsicle stick halfway through each piece of banana starting from the side that you sliced the banana.
- Spoon a thin layer of the peanut butter over the top half (opposite side of the stick) of each banana.
- Decorate each banana pop by sticking the blueberries and strawberries to the peanut butter. Sprinkle peanut butter with chopped peanuts, if using. (NOTE: You can eat as is at this stage but we recommend freezing for a really indulgent-feeling treat!)
- Place the pops on the parchment paper in the Tupperware and freeze for several hours or until desired frozen consistency is reached. If you aren’t using Tupperware, simply wrap the banana in the wax paper and freeze. It will freeze more quickly this way but may get a bit more solidly frozen.
- Remove from freezer and dig in!