Looking for banana recipes? Here’s what you can do with your bananas to use them all up before they go bad. With these banana recipes you’ll never have to throw away a rotten banana again!
Banana Recipes | What To Do With Your Bananas Before They Go Bad
Does your household go bananas for bananas!? I don’t know what it is about this fruit, you either love’m or hate’m. And those who love’m LOVE THEM. Bananas are a wonderful food to always – and I mean ALWAYS – have on hand. The best part about them is there is never a bad time to use them. Whether the banana is at its peak of ripeness, or overripe, there’s a use for it! Bananas can be used in many recipes raw, cooked, and my favorite: frozen.
Before we delve into the many great things you can do with bananas, let’s first discuss how to identify the stage of your banana’s ripeness.
You may have heard rumors about bananas ripening slower if you separate them, or if you wrap plastic wrap around the stem. This has been proven false and a waste of time. I wanted to believe it, because it sounded cool – who wouldn’t want a secret to make bananas last longer? But you can watch the experiment take place HERE in this article if you need the proof: it doesn’t work. BUT I DO HAVE A SOLUTION!!! If your bananas are ripening too quickly, that’s fine!!! Let them!!! Once they are brown enough, peel them and toss them in the freezer. I keep a freezer bag full of bananas at all times. Then whenever you want to make a smoothie or frozen banana dessert, you take it out and enjoy!
Not sure a banana is ripe yet?
Essentially, a ripe banana is yellow with brown spots. They have the best blend of vitamins and nutrients available.
An unripe banana is green or all yellow with no spots. They are starchier and not very good.
And an overripe banana is very spotty and starting to turn even more brown. They are more sugary and rather mushy.
So now that you know how to identify your overripe bananas, either toss them into the freezer for later, or whip up one of these awesome recipes! You’ll love them, and you’ll never let another perfectly good banana go to waste again.
1. Banana Cookies
Make these Simple Banana Oat Cookies. They’re like banana bread, but in cookie form.
2. Banana Muffin
Make the best banana muffins ever. They’re like banana bread, but in muffin form.
3. Nutella Stuffed Banana Bread
This recipe is a gift from heaven. All you need is basic banana bread and gobs of Nutella. Recipe here.
4. Healthy Banana Bread
Get back to the basics with this very simple yet healthy banana bread recipe. Recipe Here.
5. Banana Whipped Cream
This whipped cream recipe is delicious atop strawberry shortcake. Recipe here.
6. Banana Smoothie
It takes just like a milkshake, except this one is healthy! Recipe here.
7. Banana Pops
Some of the best foods come on sticks. Recipe here
8. Banana Curry
Try this Indian dish for a change of pace. Recipe here
9. Banana Grilled Cheese
Wedge some bananas in between your grilled cheese for a taste of southern living. Recipe here
10. Banana Soft Serve
A healthy banana soft serve makes a delectable ice cream alternative. Recipe here
11. Banana Crackers
These banana crackers make a great grab and go snack for banana lovers everywhere. Recipe here
12. Banana Ice cream
Banana ice cream is one of the tastiest and easiest healthy snacks that you can make. Recipe here
13. Banana Cheesecake
Cheesecake in a jar doesn’t get much better than this. Recipe here
14. Banana Frozen Bites
Chop, cover in cinnamon and freeze. That’s all you need to do!
15. Banana Pancake
There’s something about banana pancakes that just sings “starting the day off right!” Recipe here
16. Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is a tasty treat that won’t make you feel guilty. Recipe via
17. Banana Creme Brulee
Make this banana creme brulee for a fruity take on the original. Recipe here
18. Banana Beignets
Ok, so there’s nothing healthy about these. But they sure do look delicious! Recipe here
19. Banana Cream Pie
Spoon in to a fresh homemade banana cream pie. Recipe here
20. Banana burrito
Banana burritos are a fun healthy snack. Just add peanut butter and bananas to a tortilla and roll it on up. Recipe here.
Bananas have many health benefits! Enjoy them all in these fun recipes. (Careful though, some recipes are high in sugar and complex carbs. The healthiest form of banana will always be it’s most natural form).
What do you think? What’s your favorite way to have a banana?
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