Quick Answers
Bananas are one of the most versatile fruits around. Here are some quick ideas for using up a lot of bananas:
- Make banana bread
- Make banana pancakes
- Make banana smoothies
- Make banana ice cream
- Make fried bananas
- Make banana pudding
- Make banana jam or marmalade
So you’ve ended up with a bunch of bananas on your hands – maybe they were on sale at the grocery store, or someone gave you a huge bundle. Now you need ideas for what on earth to do with them all!
Fortunately, bananas are one of the most versatile fruits in the kitchen. Their sweet, creamy flavor lends itself well to a variety of dishes and desserts. And as bananas ripen, their starch turns to sugar, giving you a naturally sweet ingredient to work with.
In this article, we’ll explore the wide range of possibilities for using up a lot of bananas. We’ll cover ways to enjoy them raw, incorporate them into baked goods, blend them into drinks and smoothies, and transform them into decadent frozen desserts.
So read on for over two dozen ideas for letting no banana go to waste!
Ways to Use Ripe Bananas
1. Make Banana Bread
The most classic way to use up overripe bananas is to make banana bread. The bananas should be quite brown, spotted, and soft for the best flavor and sweetness.
Mash up the bananas before mixing into your favorite banana bread recipe. The bananas help keep the bread moist. You can make banana bread loaves to eat over several days, or make muffins for a quick breakfast or snack.
Adding walnuts or chocolate chips creates delicious flavor variations too. Slice and freeze any extra loaf for up to 3 months.
2. Make Banana Pancakes
Ripe bananas also shine when mixed into pancake batter. The bananas add moisture, binding, and sweetness to fluffy pancakes.
Mash the bananas and mix into your favorite pancake recipe until combined. Then cook the pancakes as you normally would. The possibilities are endless when it comes to toppings: maple syrup, chocolate chips, sliced fruit, nut butter, whipped cream.
Make a big batch of banana pancakes on the weekend, then freeze extras to quickly reheat in the microwave for weekday breakfasts.
3. Blend into Smoothies
Smoothies are a fantastic way to use up ripe bananas fast. The bananas blend up creamy and sweet.
Simply peel the bananas and break into chunks, then add to your blender along with your choice of liquid (like milk, juice, yogurt, or nut milk). Mix in any other desired smoothie ingredients like berries, greens, nut butter, protein powder, or sweetener.
Banana smoothies make a filling breakfast or snack any time of day. Try this combo: banana, peanut butter, cacao powder, milk, and ice.
4. Make Banana Ice Cream
Here’s a fun way to use up bananas: whip up homemade banana ice cream! It takes just a few ingredients and 5 minutes of blending.
Simply peel very ripe bananas and slice into coins. Freeze overnight. Then blend the frozen banana chunks with a bit of milk or cream until creamy and smooth.
You can add mix-ins like peanut butter, chocolate chips, or strawberries. Enjoy your healthy banana “nice” cream straight away or freeze for a firmer consistency.
5. Make Banana Chips
Dehydrate overripe bananas to make crunchy, sweet banana chips without any added oil or sugar.
Simply peel the bananas and slice very thinly, about 1/8-inch thick. Place the slices on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway, until completely dried out. The chips will crisp up as they cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
6. Bake Banana Nut Muffins
Whip up a batch of wholesome banana nut muffins for breakfasts and snacks.
The bananas give the muffins a moist texture and natural sweetness. The walnuts add protein and crunch.
Try mixing in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. Bake a double batch and freeze half for later.
7. Make Banana Jam
Prolong the shelf life of ripe bananas by turning them into homemade banana jam.
Peel and mash very ripe bananas, then cook with lemon juice and sugar until thickened. Bottle the jam once cooled and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Slather the banana jam onto toast, scones, or peanut butter sandwiches. Mix into yogurt or oatmeal too.
8. Blend into Milkshakes
Milkshakes provide a delicious way to polish off lots of ripe bananas fast. Simply mix mashed banana with milk and ice cream in a blender.
Add mixins like peanut butter, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or frozen fruit. Top with whipped cream and a cherry for a classic banana milkshake.
Make an over-the-top banana split milkshake by layering banana, ice cream, chocolate and strawberry syrup in a tall glass.
9. Bake Banana Nut Bread
For another baked good, try your hand at banana nut bread. The banana gives the bread moisture and sweetness, while the nuts add crunch and protein.
Mash ripe bananas and mix into a banana bread batter along with chopped walnuts or pecans.
Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let the bread cool before slicing.
10. Make Vegan Banana Pudding
Traditional banana pudding contains milk and eggs, but you can give it a vegan spin.
Use coconut milk or soy milk in the pudding base. Layer sliced bananas, vanilla wafers, and pudding into dishes and top with whipped coconut cream.
Let the banana pudding chill for a few hours so the flavors can meld. Garnish with extra crushed wafers and banana slices.
Savory Banana Recipes
While bananas tend to lean sweet, they can also shine in savory recipes. Here are some ways to use green or underripe bananas in flavorful dishes:
11. Fry Green Bananas
Unripe green bananas hold their shape well when fried. Peel and slice them, then fry in hot oil until crispy and golden.
Try frying the bananas in coconut oil and sprinkling with a blend of cinnamon and sugar. Dip the fried banana slices into yogurt or chocolate sauce.
This dish is especially popular in many Latin American and Southeast Asian cuisines. Just avoid using overripe bananas which will fall apart when fried.
12. Make Banana Pepper Tacos
For a unique taco filling, saute green banana slices in olive oil until soft and golden brown. Season with onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano.
Serve the banana pepper mixture in warmed corn tortillas topped with tomato, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
13. Simmer Bananas in Coconut Curry
Add banana slices to a Thai green or red curry dish along with veggies and coconut milk. Simmer until the bananas are tender.
The bananas complement the creamy, spicy curry sauce. Serve over jasmine rice and top with fresh basil, mint, and chopped peanuts.
14. Bake Plantain Chips
Plantains are larger cooking bananas. Slice green plantains thinly and arrange on a baking sheet.
Drizzle with oil and bake at 400°F until browned and crispy, flipping once, 15-20 minutes total.
Sprinkle the salty, crunchy plantain chips over soups, salads, or enjoy on their own.
15. Grill Bananas
Grilling brings out the natural sweetness in bananas. Peel them, brush with oil, and grill over medium heat 2-3 minutes per side.
Serve the grilled bananas over ice cream or yogurt, on top of waffles or pancakes, or alongside savory dishes.
The browned, caramelized exterior provides delicious contrast to the soft interior.
Creative Banana Desserts
When life hands you lots of ripe bananas, head to the kitchen and start baking! Bananas are one of the best baking ingredients. Here are some over-the-top banana desserts to try:
16. Banana Cream Pie
Wow everyone with an impressive banana cream pie for dessert.
Make a homemade pie crust and fill it with pastry cream or instant pudding made with banana extract.
Top with freshly sliced bananas. You can also layer in whipped cream, crushed cookies, or toasted nuts. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing.
17. Bananas Foster
This New Orleans specialty features bananas cooked tableside in brown sugar, rum, and spices, then served over vanilla ice cream.
Saute sliced bananas in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and rum, then ignite the alcohol. Let the flames die down before pouring the bananas and sauce over ice cream.
18. Banana Cheesecake
A banana cheesecake is sure to impress. Blend mashed bananas into cream cheese and pour into a graham cracker crust.
Bake the cheesecake, then cool completely before topping with whipped cream and sliced bananas.
For small bites, make banana cheesecake parfaits by layering the components in glasses or jars.
19. Chocolate Banana Calzones
Make these fun hand pies by stuffing pizza dough with sliced bananas, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.
Fold the dough over into crescent shapes and crimp to seal. Bake until golden.
Serve warm with ice cream for an over-the-top banana dessert!
20. Bananas Foster Cupcakes
Liven up cupcakes with flavors from the classic Bananas Foster dessert.
Bake your favorite vanilla or banana cupcakes. Core a small hole in the center of each cooled cupcake.
Make a sauce with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and rum. Slice bananas and saute in the sauce until softened.
Spoon the sauce into the cupcakes and top with the sauteed bananas.
Ready-to-Eat Banana Snacks
Keep ripe bananas on hand for quick, healthy snacks. Here are nutritious ways to eat bananas as is:
21. Sliced with Peanut Butter
Top banana slices with nut butter for an easy snack. The creaminess pairs perfectly with the sweet banana flavor.
Try natural peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. For added crunch, sprinkle the peanut butter bananas with chopped nuts or toasted coconut.
22. Frozen Banana Bites
Make freezer-friendly banana pops by cutting ripe peeled bananas into chunks, sticking popsicle sticks into each chunk, and freezing on a lined baking sheet.
Coat frozen banana bites in melted chocolate or yogurt for creamy frozen treats. Kids love these healthier “popsicles.”
23. Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Whip up no-bake banana oatmeal breakfast cookies for quick snacks on the go.
Mash a ripe banana and mix with rolled oats, nut or seed butter, spices, chocolate chips, and dried fruit.
Scoop spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet and place in the fridge to set. Store in an airtight container.
24. Banana Yogurt Smoothie Bowl
Blend together banana, yogurt, and milk for a creamy smoothie bowl base.
Top with your choice of mix-ins like granola, berries, coconut, chia seeds, or cacao nibs. It’s a perfect healthy breakfast.
25. Chocolate Banana “Sandwich”
Split a peeled banana and sandwich it with a chocolate hazelnut or chocolate peanut butter spread.
Run a knife or skewer lengthwise through the banana to section it into “bite” sizes. Kids will love this play on a PB&J.
Preserve Bananas to Use Later
Have more ripe bananas than you can handle? Extend their shelf life so none go to waste. Here are tips for preserving bananas:
Peel and Freeze
Peel spotty banana flesh away from the skin and place in freezer bags. Frozen bananas are great for smoothies.
Puree and Freeze
Mash overripe bananas into a puree and spoon into an ice cube tray or muffin tin before freezing. Pop out and store frozen banana cubes in bags.
Slice and Dehydrate
If you have a dehydrator, slice bananas 1/4-inch thick and dry at 135°F for 8-10 hours until chewy. Enjoy as healthy snacks.
Pickle Green Bananas
Pickle unripe green bananas in vinegar brine with spices. Refrigerate and enjoy pickled bananas for up to 3 months.
Make Banana Vinegar
Infuse vinegar with banana peels for a fruity, aromatic vinegar. Strain and use to brighten dressings, marinades, and sauces.
Create Banana Powder
Blend peeled bananas in a food processor or blender until completely smooth. Spread in a thin layer on trays and dry at low heat until powdered. Store in an airtight container.
Sprinkle banana powder into smoothies or baked goods.
Get Creative with Leftover Banana Peels
Don’t toss those banana peels – put them to use! Banana peels are edible when very ripe. They also have household and gardening applications:
Make Banana Peel Tea
Boil water with banana peels, then simmer 20 minutes. Strain and drink the resulting banana peel tea. It’s high in antioxidants!
Create Banana Vinegar
Fill a jar with ripe peeled banana skins and cover with vinegar. Steep 4 weeks then strain for fruity banana vinegar.
Polish Shoes
Rub the inside of banana peels on leather shoes to make them shine. The peel contains moisturizing oils and minerals.
Fertilize Plants
Chop and bury banana peels around the base of plants. As they decompose, they release nutrients like potassium and magnesium to fertilize soil.
Deter Pests
Scatter banana peels around garden beds. Some pests dislike the smell, helping fend them off certain plants.
Clean Greasy Surfaces
Wipe kitchen counters and appliances with the inside of a banana peel to remove grease and leave surfaces sparkling.
Get Creative in the Kitchen
Equipped with all these ideas, you can let your imagination run wild when it comes to using up bananas.
Whip up banana Split Oatmeal Bake. Make Elvis-approved Banana, Peanut Butter, and Bacon sandwiches. Craft Banana Sushi Rolls with coconut rice and nut butter.
The options are truly endless for this versatile, budget-friendly yellow fruit. With any luck, you’ll never have to worry about letting bananas go brown and mushy again.
Conclusion
Ripe bananas are prime for transforming into mouthwatering baked goods, decadent frozen treats, energizing smoothies, and grab-and-go healthy snacks.
With over 25 smart ways to use excess bananas, you’ll never again face down a bunch gone too brown. Revive sad looking bananas into something deliciously better.
Next time you overbuy this healthy fruit, get busy baking banana breads and pans of melty banana pudding. Blend creamy banana smoothie bowls and milkshakes. Candy bananas into chocolatey frozen pops.
Let bananas inspire you in the kitchen to get creative and cut back on food waste. Turn the humble banana into a versatile, crave-worthy ingredient.