Ghost bananas became my go-to Halloween treat the year my niece declared store-bought candy “too boring” for her school party. These adorable little spooks—ripe banana halves dipped in creamy white chocolate with mini chocolate chip eyes—saved the day! What I love most is how they turn a healthy snack into something festive and fun with just 10 minutes of hands-on time. Kids go crazy for them (mine still beg to make extras “for the ghosts’ friends”), and honestly? The grown-ups sneak a few too. They’re the perfect mix of playful and practical—easy enough for little helpers to decorate, sturdy enough to survive a classroom party, and way cuter than anything from a bag!
Ghost Bananas Ingredients
You only need four simple things to make these adorable spooky treats. Trust me, you probably have most of them already:
- 2 ripe but firm bananas (too soft and they’ll break when dipping)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (the good kind that melts smoothly)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (this makes the chocolate extra dippable)
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (for those all-important ghost eyes!)
See? Told you it was easy! The magic happens when these basic ingredients come together.
How to Make Ghost Bananas
Okay, let’s turn those bananas into adorable little ghosts! This is where the real fun begins. I promise it’s so simple you’ll be making these on autopilot by Halloween night.
Preparing the Bananas
First things first – peel those bananas carefully (no bruises!) and slice them in half lengthwise. You’ll get four perfect ghost shapes this way. Now here’s my secret weapon: gently push a popsicle stick into the flat end of each banana half. This gives you a handle for dipping – lifesaver when dealing with wiggly little fingers!
Melting the White Chocolate
Microwave your white chocolate chips with the coconut oil in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each. Be patient here – burnt chocolate is no one’s friend! It usually takes about 90 seconds total. The coconut oil makes it silky smooth and helps it cling to the bananas like a cozy ghost sheet.
Dipping and Decorating
Hold each banana by the stick and dunk it into that creamy white chocolate, swirling to coat completely. Let the excess drip off for a few seconds before laying them on parchment paper. Now the magic – while the chocolate’s still wet, press two mini chips near the top for eyes. Give them personality – slightly crossed eyes make for extra silly ghosts!
Chilling and Serving
Pop your ghostly crew into the fridge for about 15 minutes – just until the chocolate sets. They’ll keep happily in the fridge for 2 days (if they last that long!). Pro tip: let them sit out for 5 minutes before serving so the chocolate isn’t too hard to bite into.
Why You’ll Love These Ghost Bananas
Seriously, what’s not to adore about these little spooks? Here’s why they’ve become my Halloween staple:
- No-bake magic: Zero oven time means more time for costume-making (or sneaking chocolate chips)
- Kid-approved: My toughest critics (ages 4 to 10) go wild for decorating their own ghost faces
- Festive & photo-worthy: Instantly upgrades any party spread – they practically beg to be Instagrammed!
- Sneaky healthy: Gets fruit into picky eaters under the guise of chocolate (parenting win!)
Honestly? They disappear faster than actual ghosts at sunrise.
Tips for Perfect Ghost Bananas
After making these adorable ghosts every Halloween for years, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make them foolproof:
- Banana texture is key: Use bananas that are ripe but still firm—yellow with just a few brown speckles. Too soft and they’ll turn mushy when dipped.
- Chocolate too thick? Add another teaspoon of coconut oil and stir well. You want it to flow like warm honey for smooth coverage.
- Work quickly: Have your chocolate chips, tray, and decorations ready before dipping. White chocolate sets fast, so those ghost eyes need to go on immediately!
Follow these simple pointers and your ghost bananas will be hauntingly perfect every time.
Ghost Bananas Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try these fun twists to mix up your ghostly crew:
- Spooky swirls: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the white coating for a “haunted” effect – kids love making wavy ghost trails!
- Candy eyes: Swap mini chips for candy eyeballs (find them in baking aisles) for googly-eyed ghosts that crack everyone up.
- Pink ghosts: Stir a drop of red food coloring into the white chocolate for blushing specters – perfect for Valentine’s Day hauntings!
The best part? Let your little monsters get creative with their own variations!
Serving Suggestions
These playful ghosts deserve a spooky stage! Try arranging them on a black platter with caramel dip “ectoplasm” for dunking, or tuck them between chocolate spider cookies on a Halloween dessert board. They’re perfect sticking out of a “graveyard” of crushed Oreo dirt too – the kids go wild for this edible haunted house vibe!
Ghost Bananas FAQs
I’ve gotten so many questions about these little spooks over the years—here are the ones that pop up most!
Can I use milk chocolate instead of white?
You can, but they’ll look more like muddy swamp monsters than ghosts! If you do swap, reduce the coconut oil since milk chocolate melts thinner. Pro tip: add a splash of vanilla to keep that sweet flavor.
How do I stop the bananas from browning?
The chocolate coating actually helps, but for extra protection, give the naked bananas a quick lemon juice spritz before dipping. They’ll stay ghostly pale for 2 days in the fridge.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Absolutely! Assemble them the morning of your event—they hold up great. Just don’t freeze them (the bananas get weird). Store in a single layer with parchment between ghosts in an airtight container.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in these spooky treats (per banana half): about 180 calories with 2g fiber from that sneaky fruit inside! Remember, these are estimates—actual values vary by chocolate brand and banana size. Not bad for something that tastes like pure Halloween magic!
Ready to Make Some Spooky Magic?
Go whip up these adorable ghost bananas and share your creations with me—I can’t wait to see your little haunting crew! Tag me in your photos so I can ooh and aah over them.
Adorable Ghost Bananas in Just 10 Minutes!
Ghost bananas are a fun and easy Halloween treat. They feature banana halves dipped in white chocolate and decorated with mini chocolate chips for eyes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Peel the bananas and cut them in half lengthwise.
- Insert a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana half.
- Melt the white chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Dip each banana half into the melted white chocolate, covering it completely.
- Place the dipped bananas on a parchment-lined tray.
- Press two mini chocolate chips into the white chocolate near the top of each banana to create eyes.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or until the chocolate hardens.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm bananas for best results.
- If the chocolate is too thick, add a bit more coconut oil.
- For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free white chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 banana half
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
