I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had a pile of bananas sitting on their counter that weren’t looking so good and wondered what to do with bananas going bad. I think we’ve all been there.
Can I ask a question?
Do you ever wonder how one week, you buy a bunch of bananas and the next day they are all gone because the kids decided they adore the yellow fruit, so you buy them again the following week since everyone loved them so much only to discover no one is eating bananas suddenly?
Is it just my house where my kids love a type of food one week only to have a disdain for it the following week?
No? Just me?
Anyways, I buy a lot of bananas because whether the kids eat them or not, I tend to have one at least everyday. They are my fruit of choice. Filling, healthy, and easy to grab on the go.
But even though I eat them often, there are still times I can’t seem to keep up with how fast they may ripen.
The thought of just throwing them out just doesn’t sit well with me. I mean, food is so expensive these days, and while I can grow a lot of things here in Canada, bananas aren’t one of them.
Man, it would be SO COOL to have a banana tree in my backyard.
But, Canadian winters basically make that impossible outdoors here. So, my only option is the grocery store. And since that is my only option, I don’t want to waste one single banana that I pay money for.
So, what’s a girl to do? Well, if you ever thought to yourself, “what can I do with bananas that are going bad,” I’ve got some good news…there’s plenty you can do with them.
But first, let’s talk about freezing bananas. You see, if you notice them suddenly starting to go brown, you can freeze them before they get past the point of no return. I mean, an overripe banana can be useful…but a completely black banana is probably destined for the garbage.
So, if you notice your bananas looking too brown to enjoy just as a snack, and you don’t have time to whip up something that can use them, freezing them is a great alternative until you can find time to use the bananas.
How to Freeze Bananas
- Take the peel off the bananas
- Lay the bananas on a baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching.
- Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours until the bananas are completely frozen
- Transfer bananas to a freezer bag
- Grab a banana from the bag any time you need one for baking
Is it Better to Freeze Bananas with or without the Peel
You can freeze the bananas either way but I prefer without the peel because if you freeze it with the peel on you need to wait till it defrosts before you can use it. However, there have been times when I’ve been in a hurry and I’ve tossed bananas in their peel in the freezer.
If you freeze whole, unpeeled bananas, be aware that the peel will turn black, but it doesn’t mean the fruit inside is not good. The freezing process turns the peel dark but the banana is still good enough to use.
What to make with bananas that are going bad
Banana bread
This tends to be the go-to for people with browning bananas, and for good reason. It’s easy and cheap to make, and everyone loves it. Make it for yourself, make it for your kids, make it for you neighbor who could use a smile and some baked goods.
Smoothies
I LOVE making smoothies with overripe bananas. Basically, while you can make a smoothie without a banana, in my opinion it doesn’t taste very good. I’ve been known to buy a stash of discounted overripe bananas at the grocery store, peeling them, freezing them, and popping them in a smoothie every morning. My favorite way to use a frozen banana is in this peanut butter banana smoothie.
Banana muffins
Similar to banana bread, banana muffins are a great way to use up those bananas. Add some chocolate chips for a combination made in heaven.
Ice cream
Okay, I hate to call this one ice cream since, let’s be honest, it’s not REAL ice cream. But it’s a great substitute for those of us who find eating the real thing hurts our stomachs. You freeze the bananas, and then send them through a food processor or a high-speed blender like a Vitamix. Check out these instructions on how to make ice cream from bananas.
Smoothie bowls
This is a new one I’ve recently added to my rotation of breakfasts. Smoothie bowls are similar to an actual smoothie, but they are thicker. You can make them with a combination of frozen fruit, like bananas. Then you add a bunch of toppings that you want, like fresh or dried fruit, nuts and seeds, shredded coconut, and even a bit of chocolate. It’s healthy but for some reason it feels like a decadent dessert that you are enjoying!
Banana pancakes
Who doesn’t love pancakes? It’s a crowd pleaser. Enjoy them for breakfast or even make them for lunch or dinner (we love breakfast for dinner around here.) This is another idea that would taste good with added chocolate chips. Okay, okay – I have a problem when it comes to chocolate. If it can be added to something, you can bet I’m adding it.
2-ingredient gluten-free pancakes
Are you gluten-free and think that pancakes are a thing of your past? Think again. These 2-ingredient pancakes that use only bananas and eggs can be a great way to enjoy the breakfast dish you’ve been missing while also using up those overripe bananas.
Banana cookies
Who doesn’t love cookies? You know what makes baking cookies even better? When they only take 2 ingredients. Try these 2-ingredient banana cookies when you don’t know what to do with all those overripe bananas.
Don’t throw out overripe bananas
The next time you see a pile of overripe bananas on your counter, don’t throw them out. Either toss them in the freezer so you can use them at a later date, or use them in baking or cooking, or a smoothie of some sort.
It’s always frustrating when food goes bad and you have to throw it out. It feels like you are throwing out good money down the drain. Finding ways to use up food when it’s a little past it’s prime can save money in the long run and you don’t have to worry about feeling guilty about throwing food in the garbage. It’s a win-win!
