Looking for a healthy vegan late night snack to curb any wayward cravings? I've got just the thing. This healthy banana snack will cure your sweet tooth, while filling you up with protein, healthy fats and the natural sleep-aiding magnesium.
Late night cravings. We have all been there… When it comes, it hits you hard and it is not easy to resist.
The best way to avoid any late night cravings is to eat enough good complex carbs during the day such as sweet potatoes, oats, and quinoa. But also fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes and grains.
I know from experience that whenever I've restricted or eaten less during the day I started to crave food late at night.
Sometimes this can lead to binge eating which then creates a vicious cycle that is not easy to overcome.
Also, make sure you fill up with the right meal at dinner time, so include protein and fiber to satisfy your appetite and fill you up for longer.
Now back to this very simple, healthy late night snack made with bananas, that should help to satisfy any cravings. It is so simple, the perfect size and really hits the spot. I usually have two as a serving.
It is not about the time you snack, but more what you actually snack on. I also want to stress to you to enjoy your treats and don’t make yourself feel guilty or bad, gone are the days of self-hate and feeling guilty about food.
It is ok to have it (of course within part of a balanced diet) and enjoy it. I know some of you may argue it is high in calories or sugars or fat, but my mission is about enjoying real food, making smarter choices and staying in control. Not about depriving yourself.
Your body needs food to function. It's about fuelling it with the right foods so it can run efficiently.
Ingredients
You only need 4 ingredients to create this healthy vegan snack! And they're all things you're likely to have on hand already..
- Banana. Make sure it's ripe.
- Peanut Butter. Or you favorite nut/seed butter.
- Coconut Oil. Unrefined is best, but whatever you have on hand.
- Raw Cacao Powder. You can use cocoa powder instead if need be, but you'll need to use a little extra.
- Date Syrup (Optional). Or any natural, unprocessed sweetener.
Instructions
You are going to have to make these healthy night time snacks in advance, so prep some now and keep them in the freezer for when those cravings hit!
Slice up your banana into even slices.
Spread your nut butter on the banana, and stick two slices together.
Then place them on a tray and pop them in the freezer for an hour or so to harden up.
In the meantime, melt your coconut oil, cacao, and syrup (if using) on low heat.
Take the banana bites out of the freezer and dip each bite into the melted cacao mixture. Place them back on a non-stick tray and back into the freezer until set.
These healthy banana treats can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. When ready to eat, just let them thaw for about 10 minutes before digging in!
Recipe
Healthy late night snack
Healthy vegan late night snack recipe that is guilt-free, satisfies any cravings and takes minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter or any of your favourite nut/seed butters
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao or cocoa powder (if using cocoa powder add a bit more)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon date syrup or any of your favourite sweeteners
Instructions
- Cut up the banana into slices and spread the nut butter on each slice.
- Stick 2 slices together and place in the freezer for an hour or so to harden up.
- In the meantime melt the coconut oil, cacao and syrup on very low heat.
- Take the banana bites out of the freezer and dip each bite in the melted mixture.
- Pop back in the freezer to set.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 131Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 41mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Here you go, how simple and delicious is that? You could also use dark chocolate chips or raw chocolate for dipping and sprinkle with some crushed nuts. As always let me know what you think!
Cristina Jones
Hey Hedi! These late night snacks look fantastic! I am making them now and trying them out tonight, can't wait to see how they turn out. 🙂
Hedi Hearts
Hi Cristina, they are so yummy, I love them and always have a couple in my freezer "just in case" 🙂 Did you make them? What do you think? Would love to know Hedi xxx
Caroline
Hi Heidi, these are so delicious I make them almost weekly. I change the nut butters around a bit. Love them and love what you do, thank you.
Hedi Hearts
Caroline, you have made my night! Thanks so much for your lovely comment. Hedi x x x
Jan Whittington
This is exactly what I needed - a recipe that would solve my late night chocolate craving! These are ooh so delicious. The chocolate is a hundred times better than the 81% dark chocolate I usually eat and healthier too. Thank you Hedi.
A very satisfied Jan xx
Hedi Hearts
Awww Jan you make me very happy! Thank you and wishing you a lovely day xxx
Sandra Broyles
How many calories?
Hedi Hearts
not sure lovely, I dont count calories xxx
Carole
How do you store them and how long do they last for?
Hedi Hearts
In the freezer lovely for up to a month x x
Louise
Hey! Do you eat these straight from the freezer or defrost before? Thanks xxx
Hedi Hearts
let it thaw for 10 minutes first lovely x x x
Nancy
These are great! It was hard for me to get the choc to stay on the banana - choc hot and the bananas frozen. Do you have a trick to do that?
Hedi Hearts
Freeze them properly first and then dunk them in the chocolate x x x
Edward
Hi Hedi!
With your permission, we have translated your delicious recipe into Russian and published it on our website: http://recipes.handmade39.ru/recipe/chocolate-banana-candies/
Thank you!
Hedi Hearts
Hello, I have never given you any permission, so please take my photos and recipe off your website. I put a lot of work into my recipes and can't believe that people would take somebody's else work and effort just like that.
Sophs
Hemsley and Hemsley did this exact same recipe some time ago. It’s also in their book.
Hedi Hearts
Not surprised Sophie, loads of people copy other people's recipes. Mine is from 2015, and still going strong 🙂 These are truly lovely. Hedi x x x
Carolyn Young
The Russian site still has your recipe and pictures posted there. Not much you can do about it unless you took legal action, but it’s not worth it over a banana snack. If it was published and copyrighted then it would be different.
Btw, I think 2 TB of Nutella on some slices of bananas would help a late night sweet tooth if someone doesn’t have the time.
Also, Kiwis are great for a late night snack to eat before you reach for chocolate. They’re loaded with fiber and are juicy & delicious, especially the Sun Gold variety which are in right now. That fiber could stop your cravings. I eat two.
Carolyn
Claire
I Love these snacks! I don’t count calories either, Hedi, and glad of it. If food is truly delicious, I enjoy in moderation and zero guilt. Thank you for creating the recipe, and sharing the love ❤️
Hedi Hearts
Awww Claire, thanks so much for this lovely comment, I love food!!! Have a lovely day and thank you again. Hedi x x x
Andrea
Thanks so much for sharing! Would really love to try making them. Can I ask how do I store them? Can I leave them out after they're set in the freezer? Or are they generally served cold?
Thanks again Hedi!
Hedi Hearts
Hello lovely lady, well they don't ever last once I made them, because the whole family eats them all in one go. They would have to be kept in the freezer otherwise it will melt slightly. Serve them slightly thawed. Hope this helps x x x