Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, ensuring the butter melts.

Add the flour all at once, stirring continuously until the mixture forms a cohesive dough ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

Once the dough has cooled slightly, incorporate the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition until the dough is smooth, thick, and glossy.

Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe small mounds (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the puffs are golden brown and have puffed up. Once done, let them cool completely on a wire rack.

While the puffs cool, prepare the banana pudding filling. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, constantly whisking until it thickens and begins to boil.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then temper them by adding a small amount of the hot milk batter while continually whisking. Gradually pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, continuing to whisk as it cooks for an additional 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and mix in the butter, vanilla extract, and mashed banana. Let it cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.

After both the puffs and the filling are fully cooled, carefully cut a small slit in the side of each puff to create a pocket for the filling.

Pipe the banana pudding filling into each puff, ensuring it’s generously filled for maximum flavor.

In a small bowl, melt the chocolate and optional coconut oil together in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring until smooth.

Dip each filled puff into the melted chocolate, coating completely. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate until the chocolate coating has set.

Once the chocolate has hardened, serve your Irresistible Banana Pudding Chocolate Puffs and enjoy the joyful experience of this decadent treat!