5-Minute Banana, Peanut Butter & Coconut Snack Boats

When it comes to everyday snack ideas, my regulars are those that are tasty, nutritious, and convenient, whether in time or ease of prep. This banana, peanut butter and coconut snack boat ticks all the boxes.

With just four simple ingredients, and a few minutes to make, it comes together effortlessly. So much so, it barely warrants a recipe!

It’s nutritious too, offering a good balance of macronutrients. Banana provides energy and fibre from its carbohydrates, peanut butter offers both protein and healthy fats for satiety and sustained energy, and coconut brings extra fats (and epic texture) into mix.

As a Registered Nutritionist, I’m all about flexible recipes that you can take and tweak to suit your needs. This snack uses a smaller banana which, when combined with peanut butter, works for a snack. But you can totally dial up the size, along with the other ingredients, to make it more energy-dense. You do you!🥜

Gather Ingredients

• Small banana. Go for a ripe, but firm banana, for the best flavour and texture. This means sweet and slightly soft, without being overly mushy.
• Peanut butter. Smooth or crunchy is AOK. Look for just two ingredients, peanuts and salt – it’s all that’s needed for a great nut butter.
• Long-thread shredded coconut. A type of dried coconut that’s coarse and long, and great as a garnish thanks to its slightly chewy texture.
• Honey. Just a smidge to complement the creamy pb and mellow banana flavour. Note: while the honey is a flavourful addition, if you’re trying to reduce added sugars in your diet you could skip it.

Topping-wise, feel free to veer off course💃. Swap out peanut butter for another nut or seed spread, like almond, cashew or sunflower butter; or trade the shredded coconut for hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs or finely chopped dark chocolate.

Your Kitchen Tools

You’ll only need a few kitchen tools: a chopping board and sharp knife to slice the banana, and a teaspoon or measuring spoon to transfer the peanut butter from the jar to the banana.

Step-by-Step: Peanut Butter & Banana Snack

Kitchen Tips

Here are tips and tricks to help your kitchen skills grow while improving the outcome of this dish:

• Slice slow and controlled. When slicing your banana lengthways, take your time to get it symmetrical – a sweeping motion works better than sawing. Too quick or rushed, and it might break. Opt for a small sharp knife.
• Evenly spread the peanut butter. So you don’t get a gummy mouthfeel from too much. Being a rich and creamy spread, excess can overwhelm.
• Drizzle with precision for even sweetness. Allow the honey to slowly drip off your spoon, while moving back and fourth across the banana.

Serving & Storage

These healthy banana boats are best enjoyed immediately. However, if prepping ahead, you could sandwich the halves back together, slice down the middle (like you would cut a long sandwich in half) and then pack to take on-the-go. Just be mindful the peanut butter doesn’t ooze out!

Nutrition Q&A

What is the nutritional benefits of bananas? The humble banana is deliciously nutritious – and nature’s ultimate fast food! It offers:

• Natural sugars for energy. Banana’s are an excellent source of carbohydrate, the preferred fuel for muscle activity. The riper the banana is, the easier it is to digest and access this energy.
• Potassium galore. Bananas are known for their high potassium content, a key nutrient for maintaining healthy blood pressure, proper muscle function and electrolyte balance (1).
• A rich source of soluble fibre. A type of fibre that helps support gut health by slowing down the absorption of food, creating feelings of fullness.

Thanks for reading! Looking for more easy snack ideas featuring peanut butter? Try these apple and peanut butter donut rings🥜.