Bananas are a staple in our home. We buy several bunches every week and usually always go through them, but every now and then we have some extra bananas that are ripe or on the verge of going bad. So, here are a few recipes and techniques for using up those ripe bananas!
We must go through 3-5 bananas daily, so it’s tough not to grab a big bunch or two every time I’m at the grocery. After all, bananas are inexpensive, super kid friendly, high in potassium and easy to digest. These recipes for ripe bananas will save you any time you’ve got a few lying around and need a little extra inspiration. All of these recipes are super duper simple and let the natural sweetness and texture of the bananas do much of the work.
Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of our favorite recipes to make and super simple. Plus they’re vegan and dairy free (if you use dark chocolate chips).
Banana Dog Bites are, dare I say, the perfect snack. Is there a more classic combination than bananas and peanut butter?
Frozen Bananas on a Stick are a delicious, inexpensive snack that will knock the socks off of your crew.
Banana Yogurt Cake is made with vanilla yogurt which adds a rich vanilla flavor. It couldn’t be easier to make and is a great use for spotty bananas.
Banana Sushi is super fun to make with kids and is always a crowd pleaser. Everyone will have a blast coming up with their own banana sushi creation.
Chocolate Banana Bites are so addictive. The mix of the slightly frozen sweet banana, coated with crunchy chocolate and salty peanuts truly makes for one of the easiest desserts.
Gluten Free Banana Pancakes only have 4 ingredients and are absolutely delicious! They’re a perfect breakfast packed with fruit, fiber and protein.
Roast Pear Banana Puree isn’t just a baby food. It’s so yummy, you’ll want to serve it on top of yogurt or even to spread on a bagel with almond butter.
Banana Chocolate Chip Bread and Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins remind me of my childhood. These are usually my go-to’s when trying to use up spotty bananas.
If you don’t have time to make any of the recipes above before before your bananas go really brown, you can always freeze them to use in smoothies or nice cream.
Here are a few tips on freezing bananas and recipes to use them in!
– Break bananas into small chunks and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before putting them in the freezer. This way, they won’t stick together while they freeze.
– Once bananas are frozen, transfer to a ziploc bag to free up freezer space.
– If properly stored, they will maintain best quality for 2-3 months, but are still safe beyond that.
This Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie is the closest thing you can get to a healthy frosty. You won’t believe how delicious it is and is actually good for you.
A Vanilla Cinnamon Date Shake is full of some of my favorite flavors. You’ll forget that you’re not drinking a dessert milkshake with this one.
Coco-Blue Nice Cream is a an ultimate crowd pleaser and will have everyone fighting over the last bite.
This Crazy Healthy Smoothie is packed with so many healthy fruits and vegetables to start your day off right.
Rainbow Nice Cream is so much fun to make because of its fun colors! It’s a little extra work to get all the layers, but worth it to see your kids face light up when you bring it out.
Chocolate Banana Nice Cream is super healthy and ready in minutes! You’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference between this and the real thing.
There are so many more smoothie recipes that call for frozen bananas on Weelicious and also in the Smoothie Project cookbook! How do you use your ripe bananas? Let me know in the comments!
I freeze whole bananas. My kids love these banana popsicles as an afternoon school treat. I also split bananas lengthwise and broil to carmelize the top.
We have trees that give us the sweetest, creamiest bananas I’ve ever had! I freeze & use for banana bread, smoothies & when I have a sweet craving…thaw in a dessert dish, top with cinnamon, a dollop greek yogurt & a honey drizzle-delicious!!
Nice!
My husband freezes the bananas once they start browning and uses them in his morning smoothies. If they pile up in the freezer — its banana bread time!
Love it!
Yum!
I love using bananas in smoothies as a sweetener. I like banana dogs for a quick, but filling snack. Or if I have time to make banana bread I love to substitute some of the bananas with mashed avocados, and then throw in flaxseed meal, nuts if they’re on hand, and sometimes frozen berries.
Yum!
Banana and strawberry smoothie
Yes, definitely!
Banana bread. Always!