7 Best Ways to Use Overripe Bananas (One Idea Only Takes 5 Minutes!)
Hold the phone! 😆 Don’t throw away overripe bananas…
Hello?! Your overripe bananas are calling!
Do you often have a pile of overripe bananas on your counter that your family has forgotten about like me? Here’s a tip! Resist the urge to toss them because there are so many uses for overripe bananas!
Here are a few of my favorite ways to make use of overripe bananas and how to freeze them for later.
When bananas become ripe, their starch gets broken down into sugar so the flavor intensifies and they taste sweeter. Brown-spotted bananas are perfect to use in various recipes from faux ice cream to banana bread, muffins, and even pancakes! You can mash overripe bananas to use in recipes right away or freeze them for later.
Fresh bananas are a cinch to freeze.
You can peel and then freeze them whole, or try slicing them and freezing them on a sheet pan. Once frozen, transfer the bananas to a sealed plastic bag or container with a lid. Frozen bananas will stay good in the freezer for up to 6 months!
Here are 7 easy and delicious ways to use up overripe bananas:
1) Frozen Banana “Nice Cream”
If you have a strong blender like a Vitamix or Ninja, try puréeing a couple of frozen bananas and a few frozen berries together with a splash of vanilla extract. It will create a creamy dairy-free “ice cream” type treat that is sweet and so delicious. My kids loved this when they were younger.
I used to even have a Yonanas machine specifically to make frozen banana ice cream, but you can get similar results using a high-powered blender or a food processor.
2) Banana Bread
This is probably the most common way I use overripe bananas because banana bread is so darn comforting and easy to make using one bowl. My favorite recipe is this sour cream banana bread that has a soft, creamy texture. I sometimes jazz it up by adding chopped walnuts or chocolate chips before baking. YUMMO!
Eating keto? This keto banana bread calls for just one ripe banana and uses banana extract for additional flavor, keeping it low-carb! Get the easy recipe on our sister website Hip2Keto.com!
3) Smoothie or Smoothie Bowl
Adding frozen banana slices to your daily fruit smoothies makes complete sense because it helps thicken, adds creaminess, and tastes delicious. Using frozen fruit makes it cold without having to add additional ice. I also love incorporating frozen bananas into acai smoothie bowls with all the yummy toppings.
Smoothies and smoothie bowls are so popular and can get quite expensive at restaurants, so making them at home is both smart and delish.
4) Bananas Foster
Sweet sautéed bananas are amazing over ice cream, and this happens to be a family favorite that’s an easy dessert. Overripe bananas are great for making bananas foster at home.
I typically make a quick non-alcoholic version in a skillet on the stove by caramelizing banana slices in butter, brown sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. The addition of a few pecan halves is amazing too.
Serve them warm over vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have a super easy and delicious dessert. I honestly just measure with my heart, but here is a similar recipe to follow via Food.com.
5) Banana Pancakes
There’s nothing like homemade fluffy old-fashioned pancakes in the morning. If you’d like a different twist, try adding a ripe mashed banana to your favorite pancake recipe or try this fluffy pancake recipe that my family loves. You can also add fresh banana slices to the top with maple syrup for serving. YUM!!
6) Banana Oat Muffins
Muffins are always a welcome idea for breakfast or snacks! If you are wanting a lighter muffin with less added sugar and oil, try this yummy banana oat muffin recipe that uses oatmeal, greek yogurt, honey, and ripe bananas for the batter! My family enjoyed them, and I really think yours will also.
7) 5 Minute Banana Mug Cake
Want to make a delicious cake for one using the microwave? I tried this quick banana mug cake with chocolate chunks from HalfBakedHarvest.com recently and it was so GOOD for a quick late-night treat. And as you may have guessed, it starts with a mashed ripened banana! Mmmm mmm!!
Thanks! I would definitely enjoy seeing more posts like this! Not just for food, but other ways to use things instead of throwing them out. Saving money by using what we already have kind of thing.
Great! Thanks for your feedback.
Just throw them in the freezer. When you want to bake with a whole frozen banana just microwave until softened up , cut the end off the peel and squeeze the mushy banana into recipe. Super simple recipe – a yellow box cake mix, 2 eggs, 3-4 old bananas( yes, that’s all). Mix it up, bake 350 for 35-40 minutes. Use 2 loaf pans or equivalent. Add chocolate chips if desired.
Thanks Jo!
I’ll use ripe bananas to make homemade Frosty Paws for my fur babies. 32 oz plain non-fat yogurt, 1-2 ripe bananas, 3 tbsp peanut butter and 2 tsp honey mixed well in a blender. Pour into freezer safe mini round containers (or ice cube trays) and freeze until firm.
Oh I love that idea!
This two ingredient recipe using just bananas and eggs is perfect for people who are gluten intolerant.
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-2-ingredient-banana-pancakes-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-218658
Thanks Bunny!
We LOVE “banana eggs!” I mash a banana, and combine with 2 whisked eggs, a pinch of salt and cinnamon, dash of vanilla…. Cook in a skillet like scrambled eggs, then top with berries and YUM!!! I think it’s tastes like French toast without the bread. Very simple and satisfying! 💕 I love this post, keep the ideas coming! 🍌
And here’s another easy way to use up bananas by making frozen banana bites…
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/232953/frozen-banana-bites/
Banana cake is another yummy idea: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-banana-cake/
Yum!
I’ve used this recipe a few times its delicious! I use it to make banana bread. The first time I made it my husband (who doesn’t like banana bread) said ” this banana bread is AMAZING what did you do? ” When I told him it was cake he was like “yeah that would do it”.
I make banana ice cream.. just mash them with a fork, put in snapware container and freeze. Used it a couple of weeks ago when the 2yo was on BRaT diet for intestinal issues. It made him very happy and I was thrilled he was eating something!
Great idea!
We just eat them before it reach’s to that level 🙂