Craving a refreshing and delicious treat that’s both satisfying and relatively easy to make? Look no further! This guide will walk you through creating amazing frozen fruit bites featuring the irresistible flavors of Hershey’s and Reese’s candies, all while using ingredients you can conveniently find at Walmart. These treats are perfect for hot summer days, after-school snacks, or even a guilt-free dessert. We’ll explore a variety of combinations and techniques to customize your own frozen fruit masterpieces. Get ready to transform ordinary fruit into extraordinary frozen delights!
**Why Frozen Fruit Bites?**
Before diving into the recipes, let’s talk about why frozen fruit bites are such a fantastic option:
* **Healthy(ish) and Refreshing:** While we’re adding chocolate and candy, these bites still feature fruit as the main ingredient, offering vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The frozen nature makes them incredibly refreshing, especially on a warm day.
* **Customizable:** The possibilities are endless! You can swap out fruits, candies, and toppings to create your own unique combinations.
* **Easy to Make:** These recipes are incredibly simple, requiring minimal cooking skills and equipment.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Kids love these treats, and they’re a great way to sneak in some fruit into their diet.
* **Perfect for Parties:** Frozen fruit bites are a delightful and colorful addition to any party or gathering.
**Ingredients & Supplies (Walmart Shopping List):**
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and supplies you’ll likely find at Walmart. Feel free to substitute based on your preferences and availability:
* **Fruits (Fresh or Frozen):**
* **Bananas:** Sliced into bite-sized rounds.
* **Strawberries:** Halved or quartered, depending on size.
* **Blueberries:** Whole.
* **Raspberries:** Whole.
* **Blackberries:** Whole or halved if large.
* **Grapes:** Seedless grapes, halved.
* **Mango:** Cubed.
* **Pineapple:** Cubed.
* **Kiwi:** Sliced into rounds or cubes.
* **Hershey’s Chocolate:**
* **Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars:** For melting and drizzling.
* **Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Bars:** For a richer, less sweet option.
* **Hershey’s Kisses:** Milk Chocolate, Special Dark, or other varieties.
* **Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup:** For drizzling.
* **Reese’s Candies:**
* **Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups:** Regular or miniature, chopped into pieces.
* **Reese’s Pieces:** For topping.
* **Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips:** For melting and drizzling.
* **Other Candies & Toppings (Optional):**
* **Sprinkles:** Rainbow, chocolate, or themed sprinkles.
* **Chopped Nuts:** Almonds, peanuts, pecans, or walnuts.
* **Shredded Coconut:** Sweetened or unsweetened.
* **Mini Marshmallows:** For a fun and fluffy addition.
* **Graham Cracker Crumbs:** For a textural element.
* **Equipment:**
* **Baking Sheets:** Lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.
* **Microwave-Safe Bowls:** For melting chocolate.
* **Spoons or Forks:** For dipping and drizzling.
* **Toothpicks or Skewers (Optional):** For easier dipping.
* **Freezer:** To freeze the fruit bites.
**Recipe 1: Chocolate-Dipped Banana Bites with Reese’s Pieces**
These are a classic and simple combination that’s always a hit.
**Ingredients:**
* 2-3 Bananas
* 1 cup Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips (or bar, chopped)
* 1/2 cup Reese’s Pieces
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Bananas:** Peel the bananas and slice them into approximately 1/2-inch thick rounds. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. **Melt the Chocolate:** In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate; it should be melted but not burned.
3. **Dip the Bananas:** Dip each banana slice into the melted chocolate, coating about half to three-quarters of the slice. You can use a fork or toothpick to help with dipping.
4. **Add the Reese’s Pieces:** Immediately sprinkle the dipped banana slices with Reese’s Pieces while the chocolate is still wet.
5. **Freeze:** Place the baking sheet with the banana bites in the freezer for at least 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm and the bananas are frozen.
6. **Serve or Store:** Once frozen, transfer the banana bites to a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage. Enjoy straight from the freezer!
**Tips & Variations:**
* For a richer flavor, use Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate.
* Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a salty-sweet contrast.
* Insert a toothpick into each banana slice before dipping for easier handling.
* Use different flavors of Reese’s Pieces, such as white chocolate or peanut butter cup flavored.
**Recipe 2: Strawberry Bites with Dark Chocolate and Almonds**
A sophisticated and satisfying combination that’s both sweet and slightly tart.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound Strawberries
* 1 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Chips (or bar, chopped)
* 1/4 cup Chopped Almonds
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Strawberries:** Wash and dry the strawberries thoroughly. Hull them and cut them in half or quarters, depending on their size. Make sure they are as dry as possible.
2. **Melt the Chocolate:** In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
3. **Dip the Strawberries:** Dip each strawberry piece into the melted dark chocolate, coating about half to three-quarters of the piece. You can use a fork or toothpick to help with dipping.
4. **Add the Almonds:** Immediately sprinkle the dipped strawberries with chopped almonds while the chocolate is still wet.
5. **Freeze:** Place the baking sheet with the strawberry bites in the freezer for at least 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm and the strawberries are frozen.
6. **Serve or Store:** Once frozen, transfer the strawberry bites to a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage. Enjoy straight from the freezer!
**Tips & Variations:**
* Use a drizzle of white chocolate over the dark chocolate for a beautiful contrast.
* Add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors.
* Dip the strawberries in chocolate extract or other flavored extracts before dipping in melted chocolate.
**Recipe 3: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Grapes**
A surprisingly delicious combination that’s perfect for peanut butter lovers.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound Seedless Grapes
* 1/2 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (miniatures or regular, chopped)
* 1/4 cup Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips (optional, for drizzling)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Grapes:** Wash and dry the grapes thoroughly. Cut each grape in half. You’ll be stuffing them so try and make the opening large enough.
2. **Stuff the Grapes:** Take a small piece of chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and carefully stuff it into the center of each grape half. Press gently to secure.
3. **Optional Chocolate Drizzle:** If desired, melt the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the stuffed grapes.
4. **Freeze:** Place the stuffed grapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, or until frozen solid.
5. **Serve or Store:** Once frozen, transfer the stuffed grapes to a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage. Enjoy straight from the freezer!
**Tips & Variations:**
* Use different flavors of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, such as dark chocolate or white chocolate.
* Add a sprinkle of chopped peanuts on top.
* Instead of stuffing the grapes, dip them in melted peanut butter and then freeze.
**Recipe 4: Tropical Fruit Skewers with White Chocolate Drizzle**
A vibrant and refreshing option that’s perfect for parties.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup Mango, cubed
* 1 cup Pineapple, cubed
* 1 cup Kiwi, sliced into cubes
* 1 cup Hershey’s White Chocolate Chips (or bar, chopped)
* Skewers
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Fruit:** Wash and prepare the mango, pineapple, and kiwi as described above. Make sure the fruit pieces are relatively uniform in size.
2. **Assemble the Skewers:** Thread the fruit onto the skewers in any desired pattern. Aim for about 4-5 pieces of fruit per skewer.
3. **Melt the White Chocolate:** In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the Hershey’s White Chocolate Chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Be careful not to overheat the white chocolate, as it can burn easily.
4. **Drizzle the Skewers:** Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the fruit skewers. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for a more controlled drizzle.
5. **Freeze:** Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm and the fruit is frozen.
6. **Serve or Store:** Once frozen, transfer the skewers to a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage. Enjoy straight from the freezer!
**Tips & Variations:**
* Add other tropical fruits like papaya or star fruit.
* Sprinkle the skewers with shredded coconut or chopped macadamia nuts.
* Use a flavored white chocolate, such as vanilla or coconut.
**Recipe 5: Blueberry Bites Dipped in Hershey’s Kisses**
An easy peasy, super simple treat with mini Hershey’s Kisses.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 cups of Blueberries, washed and dried
* 1 bag of Hershey’s Kisses (Milk Chocolate or Special Dark)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Hershey’s Kisses**: Unwrap ALL of the Hershey’s kisses and place into a microwave-safe bowl.
2. **Melt the Chocolate**: In the microwave, heat the unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses in 30-second intervals. Stir in between each interval to prevent burning. Do this until they are fully melted and easy to stir.
3. **Dip the Blueberries**: Using a fork or toothpick, carefully dip blueberries into the chocolate until coated. Place onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat.
4. **Freeze**: Put the blueberry chocolate bites in the freezer for at least 1-2 hours until chocolate is hardened.
5. **Serve or Store**: Transfer to freezer-safe containers and keep frozen until ready to serve.
**Tips and Variations:**
* Use Hershey’s Kisses with Almonds for extra crunch
* Try different Hershey’s Kisses flavors such as Caramel Filled for a burst of flavor.
**General Tips for Making Frozen Fruit Bites:**
* **Use Ripe but Firm Fruit:** Avoid using overripe or mushy fruit, as it will not hold its shape well when frozen. Ripe but firm fruit will provide the best flavor and texture.
* **Dry the Fruit Thoroughly:** Moisture is the enemy of chocolate adhesion. Make sure the fruit is completely dry before dipping it in chocolate. Use paper towels to pat the fruit dry.
* **Work Quickly:** Chocolate sets quickly, so work efficiently when dipping and adding toppings. Have all your ingredients and supplies ready before you start.
* **Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats:** These prevent the fruit bites from sticking to the baking sheet and make it easy to remove them once frozen.
* **Freeze in a Single Layer:** Arrange the fruit bites in a single layer on the baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together. If you need to make a large batch, use multiple baking sheets or freeze them in batches.
* **Storage:** Once frozen, transfer the fruit bites to a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
* **Thawing:** While these are best enjoyed straight from the freezer, you can let them thaw for a few minutes if you prefer a slightly softer texture. However, avoid thawing them completely, as they will become mushy.
* **Melting Chocolate:** When melting chocolate in the microwave, use short intervals (30 seconds) and stir frequently to prevent it from burning. You can also use a double boiler for more gentle melting.
* **Creative Toppings:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and flavors! Try adding chopped pretzels, crushed cookies, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce.
**Finding Your Ingredients at Walmart:**
Walmart is a great one-stop shop for all the ingredients and supplies you need to make these frozen fruit bites. Here are some tips for navigating the store:
* **Produce Section:** Look for fresh fruits in the produce section. You can also find frozen fruits in the freezer aisle.
* **Candy Aisle:** Hershey’s and Reese’s products are typically located in the candy aisle. Look for chocolate bars, chips, Kisses, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Pieces.
* **Baking Aisle:** You can find sprinkles, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, and other toppings in the baking aisle.
* **Paper Goods Aisle:** Parchment paper and freezer bags can be found in the paper goods aisle.
**Conclusion:**
These frozen fruit bites are a fun, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a refreshing treat. With endless combinations of fruits, chocolates, and toppings, you can create your own personalized versions that everyone will love. So, head to Walmart, gather your ingredients, and get ready to cool down with these amazing chocolate fruit bites! Enjoy!