No more wasting overripe bananas! Learn how to freeze bananas the right way and expand their uses in smoothies, delicious creams, baked goods, and more!
A few months ago I shared some of my favorite ways to use ripe bananas and that post was a huge hit! If you’re like me, you usually have a few ripe (or overripe – even better!) bananas and wonder what to do with them.
While I love a good banana muffin, as a food blogger I often utilize my refrigerator to extend the shelf life of recipes and ingredients. Bananas are no exception! If the banana is not used in the recipe, it will be frozen. There are so many benefits to keeping frozen bananas at home, so I thought I would share some of the best frozen banana tips so you too can get the most out of your frozen bananas.
Benefits of frozen bananas
All the benefits of fresh bananas still apply to frozen bananas.Bananas are an excellent source Potassium, magnesium and even fiber (source).They are also one of the best ways to add natural sweetness No added sweeteners are used.
Bananas are also very useful in baked goods to help preserve them wet No need to add extra fat. Frozen bananas can almost always be used in place of fresh bananas in recipes. For baked goods, you just need to bring them to room temperature before mixing.
How to Freeze Whole Bananas [Two Ways]
in their peels
Yes! You can freeze frozen bananas with their skins on. Doing this is probably the easiest way to freeze bananas on the front end. Just place them in the refrigerator and they will keep for 3 months. That being said, you still need to peel them when you plan to use them. If you plan on making something like banana bread or muffins, you’ll need to thaw them and then peel them. Usually once thawed, the peel can be removed easily. Please note that frostbite can easily occur if not stored in a sealed bag, so I would not recommend using this method for longer than 3 months.
Peeled whole banana
Or, if you already know you’ll be using frozen bananas in baked goods, you might want to peel them first. Simply peel (cut into 2-3 pieces if desired) and store flat in a Ziploc bag or Stasher bag for 3-6 months. Remove and thaw before using in baked goods, or you can toss them whole in a blender to make a smoothie.
How to Freeze Banana Chips
You can also choose to freeze the bananas after slicing them. Here’s how to do it.
- Remove banana peel
- Cut into coins or small pieces
- Place in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and freeze for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the banana slices from the parchment paper and place them in a Ziploc or other airtight freezer bag.
- Please use frozen banana chips within 3-6 months.
Can you freeze mashed bananas?
Yes, you can! This is not my favorite way to freeze bananas, but if you have a baby and want to give them mashed bananas, this is a great option.
Simply mash the bananas in a large bowl and place in an ice cube tray or silicone tray. Freeze for 3-4 hours or until set.
Remove the mashed banana pieces and store in a refrigerator-safe bag for up to 3 months. Remove and defrost in a bowl. You can feed it directly to your baby or mix it into oatmeal. I do find that bananas tend to accumulate excess liquid this way, so you need to pour some out.
How long do frozen bananas last?
This depends on several factors. Technically, if the bananas are peeled, they have less exposure to the air, so they should last longer, but if you just throw them whole in the freezer, they might get frostbite. Generally speaking, frozen bananas can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-6 months if stored properly. This means placing in a sealed bag and removing all air. Remember to remove all air before placing the bag back in the refrigerator.
How to use frozen bananas
Frozen bananas can be used in place of fresh bananas in many recipes. Check out this list of delicious ripe banana recipes for inspiration.
That being said, frozen bananas are especially useful in smoothies, they add sweetness and thick texture, so this tends to be my go-to. If using in baked goods, you can also defrost the bananas to room temperature. Here are some of my favorite frozen banana recipes:
