Peanut Butter Banana Bark
Enjoy the perfect combination of creamy banana, smooth peanut butter, and rich dark chocolate, all enhanced with a hint of flake salt. Our banana bark mixes sweet, salty, and nutty flavours in a way that makes each bite thrilling. With a crunchy frozen chocolate layer and soft, sweet banana slices, this snack is easy to make and a pleasure to eat. Ideal for an afternoon treat or a sweet finish to your day, this recipe will quickly become a favourite in your freezer.
Ingredients
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3
Large bananas
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200 g
Dark chocolate
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200 g
Peanut butter (smooth)
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1 tbsp
Flake salt
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Instructions
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
Making perfect banana bark is all about balance, layering, and timing. Create a solid base: slice the bananas evenly – about 1.5 cm thick – and arrange them closely together on baking paper so there are no large gaps. This gives your bark a firm, cohesive foundation that’s easy to cut later. Spread smoothly: warm the peanut butter slightly before spreading it; this helps it glide over the banana slices in an even layer without shifting them. A small spatula or the back of a spoon works best for this step. Freeze between layers: always freeze after adding each layer – first the peanut butter, then the chocolate. This ensures clean layers that stay distinct and gives your snack that satisfying snap when you break it apart.
To get a smooth, glossy chocolate layer for your banana bark, use the double boiler method. Start by chopping 200 g of dark chocolate into even pieces to melt uniformly. Ensure the heatproof bowl you use is completely dry to prevent the chocolate from seizing. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure it doesn't touch the water, and stir continuously. Keep the melting temperature between 48-50 °C to maintain the chocolate's texture. When it's mostly melted, take it off the heat and let the residual warmth finish the melting. Then pour the smooth, cooled chocolate over the frozen banana-peanut butter base for a perfect finish.
To break your snack into pieces, first make sure it is fully set and frozen solid. Take the bark out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for one to two minutes. This softens it just enough to prevent shattering while keeping it firm enough to break cleanly. Using the edges of the baking paper, lift the bark slab and place it on a flat surface or cutting board. You can break the bark by hand by gently bending or snapping it into irregular, bite-sized pieces. For uniform pieces, use a sharp knife to cut the bark into squares or rectangles, pressing down firmly and quickly. Work swiftly to keep the bananas from softening too much and put the bark back in the freezer right after cutting to keep its texture.
Questions about banana bark
Here’s how to get your snack just right – from slicing your bananas to knowing when the peanut butter layer is perfectly set – plus what makes this frozen snack so irresistible.
What is banana bark?
Banana bark is a frozen snack made by layering sliced bananas with toppings such as nut spread, chocolate, or yoghurt before freezing and breaking it into pieces – similar to chocolate bark. While the classic version combines peanut butter and dark chocolate for that sweet-salty balance, you can easily customise it with almond spread, white chocolate, yoghurt, or even fruit and nuts for different flavours and textures.
How thick should I slice the bananas?
Slice the bananas into pieces about 1.5 cm thick. This thickness is important because it helps the banana slices stay firm, supporting layers of peanut butter and chocolate without turning mushy. It also ensures a pleasing bite and brings out the banana flavour more. Slices this thick freeze well, allowing the peanut butter and chocolate to stick properly and form a banana bark that breaks cleanly once set.
How do I know the peanut butter layer is set?
You’ll know the peanut butter layer is set when it feels firm to the touch and no longer sticks to your fingertip. It should have a matte, slightly solid surface rather than a glossy one. Depending on your freezer, this usually takes about 25-30 minutes. If it still feels soft or moves when you press lightly, give it another 5-10 minutes before adding the chocolate layer. This ensures clean, even layers and prevents the peanut butter from mixing with the melted chocolate.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
2692 Kcal
| Fibre | - | 20.4 gram fibers |
| Protein | 10.4 | 68.7 gram |
| Fat | 57.9 | 176.4 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 31.7 | 209.9 gram |
Recommended information
Serving suggestion
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Can I make different versions of banana bark?
Absolutely! Banana bark is easy to customise with your favourite flavours and textures. Swap the peanut butter for almond, cashew, or hazelnut spread for a new twist, or try white or milk chocolate instead of dark. For extra texture, sprinkle on chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or dried fruit before freezing. You can also drizzle over caramel, add a pinch of sea salt, or swirl in a little jam for something fruity.
Ripe or firm? Choosing the right bananas for this recipe
For banana bark, choose semi-ripe to ripe bananas that are yellow with just a few small brown speckles and no green on the peel. These bananas are sweet enough and firm, making them great for slicing into even rounds that hold their shape well. Avoid overripe bananas as they are too mushy and hard to slice neatly, which can make your bark messy. Also, steer clear of underripe bananas; they're not as sweet and can add a starchy taste that disrupts the flavour balance of your recipe.
How should I store banana bark?
To store banana bark well, put it in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn and prevent odours. Always keep it in the freezer to ensure the banana slices and chocolate layer stay firm. Line the container with parchment paper to stop the bark from sticking and to make it easier to take out. You can refrigerate banana bark for up to a week, but it might cause the bananas to darken and soften. For the best texture and flavour, it's recommended to freeze it, which keeps it fresh for up to three months.
Loving this recipe? Try these barks next
For a chewier bark, try dates as your base. They’re naturally sticky and rich, creating a caramel-like layer that holds together beautifully. A great one to try is our date bark with peanut butter, peanuts and milk chocolate, topped with flake salt for the perfect sweet-salty balance.
For something lighter, yoghurt makes a refreshing base. Simply spread thick Greek yoghurt or skyr onto a tray, swirl in honey or fruit puree, and top with berries and mint for a cool, tangy bite – like this yoghurt bark with strawberries and mint.
With these recipes you can customise your bark with whatever you have on hand: drizzle with nut spread, sprinkle on granola, or mix in coconut, nuts, or chocolate chips. Every version brings a new texture and flavour to discover.
