A crunchy pretzel and graham cracker crust, layers of chocolate and peanut butter ganache, bananas, and more crunchy pretzels on top. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pretzel Pie is a sweet and salty dream come true, and easy as… well.. pie!
This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn a fee from qualifying purchases.
It’s March. If you’re a dessert-based, food-blogging, scientist, it’s a pretty exciting time, because that means it’s almost… PI DAY!
I mean, really. What kind of baking math and science nerd would I be if I didn’t celebrate appropriately?
While I haven’t decided yet what I’m making this year to celebrate, I also always make sure to share a new pie recipe the week before.
This year, we’re going a little non-traditional, in that this pie isn’t baked in a pie dish… and in fact, it’s not really baked at all!
It uses a graham cracker and pretzel-based crust with layers of chocolate and peanut butter ganache covered slices of fresh bananas. Because of the layers, it works best in a springform pan, but a deep dish pie dish will work, too!
Just check out those delicious layers. ↓↓↓ So let’s celebrate Pi Day with this no-bake, easy-as-pie, chocolate peanut butter banana pretzel pie!
First up: the crust. It’s made from just crushed graham crackers, crushed pretzels, and melted butter. Press it into the bottom of the pan; no need to bake.
I provide instructions for making the chocolate ganache and peanut butter ganache using a microwave because it’s easy. Both can absolutely be made using a double boiler instead, to gently heat the chips until melted.
For the banana, we want to use a ripe – but not overripe – banana. It should still hold its shape well when cut and not be mushy. But — oh no! You want to make this pie soon, and the grocery store only has green bananas!
What’s the quickest way to ripen your bananas? It’s time for my favorite subject… kitchen chemistry!
Kitchen Chemistry
Bananas produce ethylene gas as they ripen, which helps convert starch to sugar. Exposure to this ethylene further increases the ripening process, which is why bananas go from green to brown so quickly. To help bananas ripen faster, store the bananas in a paper bag to trap the ethylene. Apples also produce a large amount of ethylene; adding an apple (or an already ripe banana) into the bag will speed the process further.
If you’re making this chocolate peanut butter banana pretzel pie in a deep dish pie plate, you can skip this section. Layer as directed in the instructions and slice with a sharp knife before serving.
If you’re going to use a springform pan, there’s one trick that can really help with getting the outside of your pie as beautiful as the inside: using acetate strips.
Acetate strips, also known as “cake collars”, allow you to build layers of cake and then easily peel away the strip. These are the acetate strips that I use (affiliate link).
When you remove the springform pan, some of the crust and ganache sticks to the metal a little, and running a knife along the outside leaves little knife marks.
For a truly smooth edge, line the springform pan with an acetate strip. Assemble the pie as instructed and chill. Once chilled, remove the outer springform pan ring, then slowly peel off the acetate strip.
A perfect layered pie, every time!
(And wash your acetate strip and reuse it over and over – don’t be wasteful!)
This is a perfect make-ahead pie! Assemble the entire pie, excluding the pretzels on top for decoration, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Gently press the pretzels onto the top of the pie immediately before serving.
The pie, either as a full pie in its entirety, or as individual slices, can be wrapped in a layer of plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and frozen for up to 3 months.
Unfortunately, only fresh bananas should be used. Frozen bananas lose too much structure and get too soft — use them for chocolate chip banana bread or peanut butter banana cupcakes or banana nutella cake instead!
You can use a deep dish pie pan instead of a springform pan — cutting and removing slices is just a little more challenging.
A crunchy pretzel and graham cracker crust, layers of chocolate and peanut butter ganache, bananas, and more crunchy pretzels on top.
Chocolate peanut butter banana pretzel pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw under refrigeration before eating.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pretzel Pie recipe was originally published on 03/18/2016 and republished with new photos and helpful tips on 03/05/2021.