When your fruit bowl is full of overripe bananas, try freezing them. Try freezing them. You may not have the time right now to whip up a batch of banana bread or some smoothies, but with a stock of frozen bananas, you'll never be too far from a tasty treat. If you're looking for more delicious ideas, check out our apple recipes for a fruity twist!
How to freeze bananas
Although it is possible to freeze bananas still in their skins, it'll make your life a lot easier if you peel them first. Trying to remove the peel from a mushy, frozen banana in mid-thaw is no easy task! Here's the best way to freeze bananas:
- Peel the bananas.
- Now, you can choose whether to slice them or leave them whole. Slicing them will make it easier to turn them into smoothies later.
- Place them in a single layer on a baking paper-lined tray and freeze them for about two to three hours.
- Once they have frozen, tip them into a freezer bag and seal tightly.
TOP TIP: Following this method may seem a little fussy, but it will keep your bananas from freezing into a solid clump.
How to freeze bananas without turning brown
Bananas turn brown when exposed to air. To keep them from discolouring, be sure to keep them tightly sealed in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
The longer your bananas stay in the freezer, the more likely they are to turn brown. For best results, use the frozen banana within three months.
How to freeze bananas for smoothies
Slice bananas into coins if you want to use them for smoothies. By doing this, you'll be able to tip them straight into the blender and whizz them up without waiting for the bananas to defrost. For a delicious smoothie option, try our plant-based dark chocolate banana smoothie!
What to make with frozen bananas
There are loads of great recipes where a mushy banana is just what you want! Use them in banana bread, muffins, and other bakes, or turn them into smoothies. Frozen bananas also work wonderfully in fruity desserts like a summer fruit crumble or a spiced apple and pear crumble for added sweetness and texture.
For a quick and tasty treat, blend frozen pieces of banana with condensed milk until smooth and creamy. The result is a wonderfully fruity ice cream — with very little effort.
How to make a banana smoothie
To make a very simple banana smoothie, all you need is pieces of frozen banana, milk and yoghurt. Just whizz the ingredients together in a blender until you have the texture you like.
Bananas are great in smoothies, and you can customise them each time by adding different types of fruit. Try banana and mango for a tropical twist, or try it with all kinds of mixed berries.
How to make banana bread
Banana bread is one of the easiest bakes around. To get a good result, defrost the bananas before adding them to the mixture. If you throw them in while they're still frozen, they can cause the cake to become soggy.
During a busy week, you may not have time for a whole batch of banana bread. For a faster-cooking alternative, try adding a dollop of mashed banana to your favourite muffin recipe instead, which can easily fit into your family favourites.
Popular banana recipes
Banana bread and banana smoothies are the two main classics when it comes to frozen bananas. You can also turn frozen bananas into a simple version of ice cream simply by blending them with condensed milk. If you're feeling like a spell of culinary creativity, try adding extra flavours to your quick and easy ice cream. Liven up this simple dessert with a little bit of cocoa powder or peanut butter. These recipes can also be fun and delicious for kid-friendly family meals.
FAQs
Can you freeze bananas?
Yes. Freezing bananas is a great way to salvage fruit that is getting overripe.
How do you keep frozen bananas from turning brown?
Bananas turn brown when exposed to air. To stop this from happening, store them in an airtight container or a freezer bag tightly sealed. For best results, use the frozen bananas within three months.
Do bananas taste good after freezing?
Freezing won't change the way bananas taste, though it affects the texture. When it comes to flavour, bananas taste just as good after a few weeks in the freezer as they do straight from the fruit bowl.
Do frozen bananas get mushy?
Bananas are a mushy fruit anyway, so a spell in the freezer tends to make them even softer. If your bananas are overripe when they go into the freezer, they will come out very mushy, which is perfect for making smoothies or banana bread.
Can you put bananas in the fridge?
Putting underripe bananas in the fridge will slow down the ripening process, so you'll have more time to enjoy them. However, their skins will still turn black while in the fridge.