Banana Tapioca Bites (Trân Châu Chuối Dẻo) 🍌💛

From Grandpa’s Pot to My Snack Obsession

You know that one snack you could never get enough of as a kid? For me, it was any kind of tapioca ball—chewy, bouncy, sweet little bites I could snack on endlessly. But out of all the flavors my grandpa made, banana was the one he made most often—and it totally stuck with me.

He’d cook up big batches of banana tapioca dough, roll them into rustic little balls, and toss them into chè chuối (Vietnamese banana coconut sweet soup). I’d pretend to study at his house just to hang around long enough for a fresh batch. (Total scam. Zero regrets.)

Fast forward to now, and I’ve taken that same chewy banana love and turned it into something extra cute: Trân Châu Chuối Dẻo—mini banana-shaped tapioca bites that are soft, stretchy, and totally addictive.

Imagine mochi, but with caramelized banana sweetness and a tropical twist. They're chewy, naturally sweet, and shaped like the most adorable tiny bananas ever. Trust me—once you start popping these into your mouth, it’s game over.

From Grandpa’s Tapioca Balls to Insta-Worthy Mini Bananas 🍌📸

Back in the day, my grandpa would roll the dough into simple balls to toss into chè chuối (Vietnamese banana tapioca pudding). No frills, just chewy goodness. But now? I found a silicone mold that turns the dough into tiny bananas—complete with yellow “fingers” and green “stalks.”

It’s a tiny modern upgrade that makes this nostalgic snack even more fun to eat and to share. (Let’s be real—it’s also ridiculously cute on Instagram.)

💛 Why You’ll Be Obsessed with These Banana Bites

They're:

Chewy, soft, naturally sweet
Shaped like tiny bananas (yes, they’re that adorable)
Easy to make with pantry staples
Perfect for snacking, gifting, or just flexing your kitchen skills

Whether you grew up with them or this is your first bite, these little banana cuties are gonna steal your heart.

🧪 The Secret Formula: Tapioca Flour + Glutinous Rice Flour

What gives these banana bites that perfect chewy-but-soft texture? It’s all in the flour combo:

Tapioca flour brings the bounce.
Glutinous rice flour brings that gentle softness.

Too much of one? You’ll end up with bites that are either too rubbery or too crumbly. But together, they’re magic—like a chewy banana dream.

🌟 Nailing That Banana-Yellow Color (Without Overdoing the Turmeric)

You want a warm, sunny yellow—not a turmeric bomb. Just a tiny pinch of turmeric powder will do the trick. The dough might look a little pale at first, but once it boils? Boom—golden perfection.

If you're going for that bright banana look, a touch of yellow food coloring works too. Totally optional, but definitely extra.

🌿 Making the Green “Stalks” Pop — Naturally

Traditionally, the green part is colored with pandan juice, which adds a delicate, fragrant aroma. But if your pandan turns out too pale, don’t worry. A little pandan extract, spinach juice, or even matcha powder will brighten the green without messing up the flavor.

🔥 Hot Banana = Better Dough (Trust the Process)

Here’s the game-changer: heat your mashed bananas until they’re thick and sticky, then mix them hot into the flour. The heat activates the starches, giving you a stretchy, easy-to-shape dough.

If the dough’s too dry, add hot water bit by bit. Too sticky? Sprinkle in more tapioca flour. Then cover and let it rest for 30 minutes—because chilled-out dough is the best dough.

🍌 Confession: I Ate the Whole Bunch 😂

Once I figured out how to make these at home, I didn’t stop at just one batch… or two. I basically turned into a banana monster. But hey—if loving chewy banana bites is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

🍨 1. In Chè Chuối (Vietnamese Banana Tapioca Coconut Dessert)

Throw it back to the original vibe by serving these chewy banana bites in a warm bowl of chè chuối—coconut milk, sliced bananas, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds or roasted peanuts. Comfort food level: MAX.

🧋 2. As a Topping for Banana Milk or Bubble Tea

Float these in a glass of homemade banana milk or boba-style drink for a fun chewy upgrade. The banana-on-banana combo? Unreal.

🍧 3. On Shaved Ice (Chè Thái Style)

Toss them over shaved ice with tropical fruits like jackfruit, lychee, longan, jelly strips, and coconut milk for a Vietnamese chè thái fusion. Summer just got cooler.