A creamy, naturally sweet, and crunchy frozen snack that’s full of nutrients and easy to make!
If you’re looking for a treat that’s as delicious as it is eye-opening (literally), these Frozen Yogurt Banana Date Bars are the snack you didn’t know you needed! Packed with creamy Greek yogurt for protein, naturally sweet bananas and dates for an energy boost, and crunchy walnuts for a brain—and vision—enhancing omega-3 kick, these bars don’t just taste good; they do good. But wait, there’s more! We’ve thrown in chia seeds, those tiny nutritional powerhouses that pack a punch of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that help slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—so basically, they’re like little sunglasses for your retinas. And let’s not forget the dark chocolate drizzle, because life is too short to skip the chocolate! Rich in flavonoids, dark chocolate actually improves blood flow to your eyes—so yes, these bars are basically vision-friendly candy. Make a batch, keep them in the freezer, and thank us later when you’re snacking like a health-conscious dessert wizard.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup chopped Medjool dates
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (for omega-3 and antioxidants)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, but adds warmth and sweetness)
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips (at least 70% cacao for eye-healthy flavonoids)
- 1 tsp coconut oil (to melt chocolate)
Instructions:
- Prepare the base: In a bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Stir in the Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
- Add the mix-ins: Fold in the chopped dates, walnuts, and chia seeds until evenly distributed.
- Set in a pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish.
- Freeze: Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours or until firm.
- Prepare the chocolate drizzle: Melt the dark chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Drizzle and finish: Once the yogurt mixture is firm, remove it from the freezer and drizzle with melted chocolate. Return to the freezer for another 30 minutes.
- Cut and enjoy: Once fully set, cut into squares or bars and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer.
Why This Recipe is Great for AMD:
- Greek Yogurt: High in protein and probiotics for overall health.
- Bananas: Provide potassium and vitamin C, which support eye health.
- Dates: Naturally sweet and full of fiber, with antioxidants.
- Walnuts: A great source of omega-3 fatty acids for retinal health.
- Chia Seeds: Packed with lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3s, all crucial for slowing AMD progression.
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Dark Chocolate: Rich in flavonoids, which help improve blood flow to the eyes.
If you loved these Frozen Yogurt Banana Date Bars, your taste buds—and your eyes—are in for a treat with the rest of our eye-healthy recipes at Cook With Doc! From vibrant, nutrient-packed smoothies to hearty meals designed to fuel your vision and keep AMD at bay, we’ve got delicious dishes that prove eating for eye health doesn’t have to be boring. So go ahead, browse our recipes, whip up something tasty, and give your eyes the nutrients they deserve—because seeing your food clearly is half the fun of eating it!
