How To Freeze Bananas (Plus 15 Recipes for Them!)

Have you ever found yourself with overripe bananas that you can’t finish in time? Don’t toss them away! Obviously making banana bread out of them is an easy fix, but if you don’t have time for that, freezing bananas is a simple and practical solution to avoid food waste and still create delicious treats.

Keep reading and I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process how to freeze bananas. Plus, I’ll share the numerous benefits of frozen bananas and recipes for your ripe bananas that are maybe on their last leg!

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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 and needing to be frozen.

The Benefits of Freezing Bananas

Freezing bananas offers several advantages, making it a worthwhile practice in any kitchen:

• Reduced Food Waste: Freezing overripe bananas prevents them from going to waste, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Preserve Freshness and Nutrition: Freezing locks in the natural sweetness and nutrients of bananas, ensuring you always have a stash of ripe fruit available.
• Convenience and Versatility: Frozen bananas are incredibly versatile and convenient to use in smoothies, baking, ice cream, and more. They eliminate the need for ice in smoothies and make them super creamy and add natural sweetness to many other recipes.

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How to Freeze Bananas – Step-by-Step Tutorial:

• Step 1: Select Ripe Bananas: Choose bananas with brown spots on the skin, showing they are perfectly ripe for freezing. Overripe bananas will be sweeter and yield better results.
• Step 2: Peel and Slice: Peel the bananas. Then, I find it faster to run your finger straight down the middle, starting at the tip, which separates the bananas into spears, which you can then break up into smaller pieces that freeze easily. Breaking them into pieces makes for easier blending or use in recipes later.
• Step 3: Arrange on a Baking Sheet: Lay the banana slices or chunks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This prevents them from sticking together during freezing.
• Step 4: Flash Freeze: Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the banana pieces to freeze for about 2-3 hours or until solid.
• Step 5: Transfer to Containers: Once frozen, transfer the banana slices to airtight freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Label them with the date for future reference.

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Recipes To Use 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 the recipes below are super duper simple and let the natural sweetness and texture of the bananas do much of the work. Plus, they work fine using thawed frozen bananas as well!

So, next time you think the bananas on your counter need to be tossed out, resist the urge and freeze them! You can make tons of treats in the future and reduce food waste.

Let me know if you make any of these recipes and tag me on social media so I can see them!