The $5 Frozen Dessert That’s So Good, I Have to Hide the Box from Myself
Ten years ago, if you asked me if I like bananas, the answer would have been absolutely not. If they were in a smoothie, I could detect them instantly, feeling it ruined the overall taste — and don’t get me started about eating the fruit plain (hard pass).
Fast forward to today, my palate has changed and matured for the better. I make smoothies pretty often, and feel like something is off if there’s no banana. I always freeze them first for the ultimate creamy, thick texture I’m looking for without any added dairy. Plus, bananas make a mean one-ingredient ice cream.
Last year, while vacationing in Mexico, after finishing up dinner at a restaurant, a waiter passed out little chocolate- and sprinkle-covered frozen bananas on sticks to the entire table. Mine was perfect and just what I needed to end the meal — something sweet, cooling, and refreshing against the hot and humid climate. I swore that I would re-create them at home but never got around to it, and now I don’t have to.
After discovering Diana’s Bananas earlier this summer, the two-bite treats have become my new favorite way to finish a meal.
What You Should Know About Diana’s Bananas Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch Banana Bites
Banana lovers might be familiar with Diana’s. The company has been selling frozen banana treats — in whole and bite-size form — for over 40 years, after their debut at the 1984 Taste of Chicago Festival. Decades later, it launched two new products that incorporate a key component: crunch.
In January 2024, Diana’s added Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch Banana Bites (along with a White Chocolate Cinnamon Granola Crunch flavor) to its already impressive lineup. The crunchy new bites contain everything the OG Dark Chocolate Banana Bites do — bite-size banana pieces enrobed in rich (70%!) dark chocolate — and one-ups them by adding a layer of crunchy caramel bits beneath the chocolatey surface.
Even better, Diana’s sources only upcycled bananas from Ecuador — meaning fruit would otherwise go to waste due to its slightly irregular size or shape (look for the upcycled-certified seal on the back of the box!). The bananas are frozen at peak ripeness to maintain quality, and the company even composts the peels, putting them back into the soil to boost its nutrients and grow more delicious bananas. (FYI: Peels also work wonders on house plants.)
You can find Diana’s Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch Banana Bites at retailers nationwide, including Sprouts, Walmart, Albertsons, Publix, Whole Foods, Target and more for around $5.49 per box.
My Honest Review of Diana’s Bananas Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch Banana Bites
Eager to test them out, I opened the pretty lilac packaging to find a plastic bag filled with the chocolate-covered banana bites. I took out a couple, put them in a bowl, and got to tasting. While you can eat the bites straight out of the freezer, I’d say it’s best to let them sit out for a minute or two so the banana slightly softens; they’re a little easier to bite into, too.
My first bite produced a nice audible snap. The dark chocolate was silky, smooth, and coated my tongue with a fruity, bittersweet taste as it melted. The sweet frozen banana had an icy, yet firm texture, like a popsicle at first. Though the longer it sat out, the creamier it became, similar to the inside of an ice cream bar. The ratio of banana to chocolate was just right, and the crispy, crunchy caramel pieces (think: tiny bits of toffee) added a nice textural contrast.
I popped another and another into my mouth, and had to stop myself from going back to the freezer to get more. (They’re that good!) Plus, anything that helps to fight food waste is a win in my book.
Buy: Diana’s Bananas Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch Banana Bites, $5.49 for 8 ounces at Sprouts
What frozen desserts are you buying this fall? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Further Reading
Why People Are Ditching Their Seltzer After a Disturbing Study
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing
