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Here’s how freeze bananas: either to use in baking or for smoothies! It’s simple and a great way to reduce food waste.
Got a bunch of ripe bananas and don’t have time to use them? Here’s one of our best food saving tips: how to freeze bananas! This happens to us often: we’re going out of town for the weekend and just didn’t have time to make banana bread or banana muffins. What should we do with those bananas starting to blacken on the counter? Good news: you can freeze this fruit for use in baked goods or smoothies, depending on how ripe it is. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to save this versatile fruit.
How to freeze bananas
Can you freeze bananas? There are two main ways to freeze bananas and they depend on the ripeness of the fruit. Freeze very ripe bananas whole to use in baking recipes, or freeze ripe bananas for smoothies. The frozen whole bananas work in baked recipes like banana muffins, banana bread, and more. Here’s how to do it:
- To freeze very ripe bananas to use in baking: Peel the fruit and place it whole onto a baking sheet. Freeze for 2 hours until solid. Transfer to a plastic bag or freezer safe container. You can suck out extra air from the bag with a straw if using a bag.
- To freeze ripe bananas for smoothies: Slice the fruit into 1/2-inch slices, then place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for 2 hours. Once solid, place in a freezer safe container.
How many banana slices are in 1 banana? Use the ratio 15 1/2” banana slices = 1 medium banana. So if your smoothie calls for 1 banana, use about 15 slices.
How to thaw whole bananas
Here’s an important thing to know about whole bananas you threw into the freezer: how to thaw them! Place the bananas at room temperature for about 2 hours: or you can refrigerate them overnight until fully soft. Here’s a tip: you’ll notice a lot of liquid comes out of the banana as it thaws. Make sure it save it! Use both the solids and the liquid that releases from the banana in your recipe: the liquid is important moisture (and flavor!) you’ll need for the recipe.
Storage time
How long can you keep frozen bananas? You can store frozen bananas for 3 to 6 months. Of course, they last longer, but we find that they start to lose flavor and get very icy around 6 months. If you think of it, label the bag or container with the date when you freeze it. That way you don’t have to wonder how long they’ve been lurking in your freezer! (Of course, we usually forget this part and still have the mystery…)
Recipes to use frozen bananas
After you learn how to freeze bananas, there are infinite ways to use them in recipes! Because of the texture after freezing, we wouldn’t recommend using them in something like bananas foster or grilled bananas. But they’re perfect for baked recipes and smoothies! Here are a few of our favorite banana recipes:
- Try fan favorite Healthy Banana Muffins
- Go for classic Easy Banana Muffins, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins or Banana Nut Muffins
- Bake up a pan of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Sour Cream Banana Bread, or Blueberry Banana Bread
- Start the day with Go-To Banana Pancakes, Banana Waffles, Banana French Toast, Banana Oatmeal Pancakes or Banana Baked Oatmeal
- Blend up Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie, Vanilla Date Smoothie or Coffee Smoothie
- Make cocktails like a Banana Daiquiri
How to Freeze Bananas
Here’s how freeze bananas: either to use in baking or for smoothies! It’s simple and a great way to reduce food waste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Essentials
- Method: Frozen
- Cuisine: Frozen
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- Ripe bananas
Instructions
- To freeze very ripe bananas to use in baking: Peel the bananas and place them whole onto a baking sheet. Freeze for 2 hours until solid. Transfer to a plastic bag or freezer safe container. (Suck out extra air from the bag with a straw if using a bag.) Use within 3 to 6 months. To thaw, place the banana at room temperature for about 2 hours (or refrigerate overnight), keeping both the solids and the liquid that releases from the banana to use in your recipe.
- To freeze ripe bananas for smoothies: Slice the banana into 1/2-inch slices, then place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for 2 hours. Once solid, place in a freezer safe container. To use them in smoothies, about 15 1/2” banana slices = 1 medium banana.
Let us know if you have any questions!