When life gives you ripe bananas, don’t think banana bread is the only way to use them.
Delicious Ripe Banana Recipes
Ripe bananas are a superhero in the kitchen. A banana’s sweetness actually intensifies as it ripens, making it perfect for baking.
But before you decide to bake another banana bread, here are some creative ways to put them to work.
- Banana Bread Oatmeal Muffin In A Mug from our kitchen
- Frozen Banana Treats from Forks Over Knives
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Sundae Bites from Kara Lydon at The Foodie Dietitian
- Banana Kiwi Smoothie from our kitchen
- Banana Chocolate Walnut Energy Balls from Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, owner of Alena Kharlamenko Nutrition and Wellness
- Blueberry Banana Wraps from Forks Over Knives
- Cold Brew Coffee Protein Smoothie from Megan Byrd, RD, nutrition blogger at The Oregon Dietitian
- Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups from our kitchen
- Chocolate Banana Nut Energy Bites from Brittany Poulson, RD, author of The Healthy Family Cookbook
- Overnight French Toast from Shannon Garcia, RD, owner of Kiss in the Kitchen
Bonus: Banana Hacks
Extend Freshness
Ever wonder why a bunch of bananas at the grocery store are wrapped in plastic wrap around the stem? When bananas begin to ripen, they release ethylene gas from their stems. Wrapping traps the gas and slows the ripening process.
Ripen other fruit, fast
You know that thing about putting underripe fruit in a brown paper bag to make it ripen faster? Well, it actually works. Need to use that unripe avocado before you miss completely miss the ripe window? You can speed up the process by placing it in a brown paper bag with a banana and let the ethylene gas do its work.
Peel and Freeze
Peel and break the banana into chunks, place in plastic bags, and freeze! Now they can easily be added to recipes like smoothies or banana ice cream.
Ripen in the oven
Need a slightly sweeter, perfectly mushy banana fast? Poke holes in it with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 300ºF for 15-30 minutes, or until completely brown.
What’s your favorite way to use bananas (other than making banana bread, of course)?
