How to Freeze Bananas 3 Different Ways

If you’re a banana fan, then you’re familiar with the race to eat them before they over-ripen. Packed with potassium, fiber and valuable vitamins, the yellow fruit is a nutritious and delicious snack (some studies even suggest you should eat one per day!). But once bananas brown beyond a certain point, no one’s too quick to reach for the bunch. Luckily, it’s at this point that they’re prime for freezing—and in the freezer, they’ll last two or three more months!

You can freeze bananas a variety of super easy ways, but be sure to do so when they’re fully ripe and sprinkled with brown spots because this indicates the fruit is at peak sweetness. Read on for full freezing directions.

Find out how to freeze the rest of your fave fruits and veggies.

How to Freeze Whole Bananas

Planning to munch on the frozen fruit as a snack or stir ’em into your baked goods, like this Best Banana Bread? Keep them whole. Simply peel the bananas, place them in a freezer-friendly container or bag, and toss in the freezer. (We recommend labeling the container with the date to help you stay organized.)

You’ve probably seen people store whole bundles of bananas in their freezer—peel and all. Is this acceptable? Well, that’s up to you. Bananas that were frozen in their peels are safe to consume, but you do run the risk of decreasing the quality of the fruit because they won’t stay as fresh. Plus, upon freezing, banana peels turn dark and soft, which makes them a bit harder to remove. So, to save yourself some fussing when you’re finally looking to use the frozen fruit, we suggest peeling them in advance.

Want to speed up the ripening process? Try these tricks.

How to Freeze Sliced Bananas

To freeze banana pieces, peel and cut them crosswise into 1/2-in.- to 3/4-in.-thick slices. Then, place them in a single layer on a wax-paper-lined baking sheet and flash-freeze until the slices are frozen solid, about two hours. (Psst! Flash-freezing is super important here because it ensures the individual pieces won’t clump together.) Lastly, transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer-safe container or bag, and return to the freezer. And don’t forget to label!

These banana bites are perfect for throwing in smoothies because they won’t wear out the blender’s motor, and if you leave the fruit frozen, they can even take the place of ice in your morning beverage. Note: If you’re using frozen bananas to bake, you’ll need to thaw them first; allow about an hour for this.

How to Freeze Mashed Bananas

If you want to get a jump on recipe prep for items such as baby food or these Frosted Banana Bars, freeze already-mashed bananas. Simply peel and mash the fruit, then spoon into a freezer-safe bag. Before placing in the freezer, press all the air out of the bag and seal it shut. Make sure to freeze the bags flat on their side. Pro tip: Write how many cups of banana mash is in each bag, and you’ll thank yourself later on.

Try These Recipes That Use Ripe Bananas

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Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners' sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don't need syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey

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Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread

Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

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Strawberry Banana Crepes

My family often has company over for breakfast or brunch, and these light fruit-topped crepes are our favorite. The sweet sensations are as fast to make as they are fabulous. You can cook the crepes the night before, refrigerate them with waxed paper in between, then fill and top them in the morning. —Shelly Soule Las Vegas, Nevada

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Banana Cream Pie

Made from our farm-fresh dairy products, this pie was a sensational creamy treat any time Mom served it. Her recipe is a real treasure, and I've never found one that tastes better! —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

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Frozen Banana Cereal Pops

When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

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Marshmallow-Filled Banana Cupcakes

A friend gave me this recipe when I first moved into my neighborhood 40 years ago. It might seem more time consuming than it is, but it's easy and the results are incredible. —Monique Caron, Buxton, Maine

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Best Ever Banana Bread

Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is that good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Bananas Foster Baked French Toast

Mmm…bananas Foster for breakfast! This yummy baked French toast serves up all the taste of the spectacular dessert in fine fashion. —Laurence Nasson, Hingham Massachusetts

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Banana Brunch Punch

A cold glass of refreshing punch really brightens a brunch. It's nice to serve a crisp beverage like this that's more spectacular than plain juice. With bananas, orange juice and lemonade, it can add tropical flair to a winter day. —Mary Anne McWhirter, Pearland, Texas

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Roasted Banana & Pecan Cheesecake

We keep bananas on hand, but with just two of us in the house they ripen faster than we can eat them. That makes them perfect for roasting and baking into this cheesecake with a nutty crust. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

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Banana Pudding

I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

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Banana Beignet Bites

When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me aside one day and taught me how to make her famous banana beignets. Although we made them during the holidays, they're pretty fantastic any time of the year. —Amy Downing, South Riding, Virginia

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Frosted Banana Bars

These bars are always a hit at potlucks in the small rural farming community where my husband and I live. I also like to provide them for coffee hour after church. They're so moist and delicious that wherever I take them, they don't last long. —Karen Dryak, Niobrara, Nebraska

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Special Banana Nut Bread

This extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland

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Jumbo Caramel Banana Muffins

Love banana bread? These flavorful muffins, drizzled with sweet caramel icing, will fit the bill in a big way. —Katherine McClelland, Deep Brook, Nova Scotia

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Fruit Salad with Apricot Dressing

When I serve this lovely refreshing salad for picnics and holidays, the bowl empties fast. —Carol Lambert, El Dorado, Arkansas

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Banana Bread Pudding

When I visited my grandmother in summer, I always looked forward to the comforting pudding she'd make. With its crusty golden top, custardlike inside and smooth vanilla sauce, this bread pudding is a real homespun dessert. Now I make it for my grandchildren. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio

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Banana Cream Brownie Dessert

I always keep the ingredients for this extremely delicious dessert on hand because I make it quite often for potlucks and family gatherings. I'm always asked for the recipe. After one bite, you'll understand why. —Julie Nowakowski, LaSalle , Illinois

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Zucchini Banana Bread

I got this Zucchini Banana Bread recipe from a friend at work and now it's one of my favorites. It makes three small loaves, but they freeze very well. —Donna Hall, Wolfforth, Texas

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Mango Smoothies

Treat yourself to this yummy blend of mango, pineapple, banana and honey. The yogurt makes it rich and creamy, but a serving has only 2 grams of fat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Banana Split Icebox Cake

One day a friend showed me how to make a traditional icebox cake with just cream and graham crackers. I make it extra special with the fruit. Now everyone at your potluck can have a banana split, no muss, no fuss! —Shelly Flye, Albion, Maine

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Bananas Foster Oatmeal

This oatmeal tastes like bananas Foster, my favorite dessert. If you can’t find rum extract, double the vanilla. —Carol Touchton, Seffner, Florida

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Banana Split Brownies

How's this for a dish—all the joy of a banana split without the mess. Everything in my recipe fits into one pan of delectable brownie bars. —Connee Sheckler, Chestertown, Maryland

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Elvis' Pudding Cake

I love the flavors of peanut butter and banana together, and this slow cooker pudding cake is just like eating an Elvis sandwich, only sweeter! Banana chips add a surprisingly crunchy texture; find them near the dried fruit in your grocery store. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

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Favorite Banana Chip Muffins

These banana chocolate chip muffins are one of the first things my husband gets hungry for when he’s home from deployment. I make sure to have the overripe bananas ready. They’re a family tradition. —Kimberly Duda, Sanford, North Carolina

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Peanut Butter and Banana Waffles

I love bananas and I love to make breakfast, too. These are a refreshing change from your everyday waffles. I like to make big batches up so I can freeze the leftovers and reheat them later for a quick breakfast. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

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Cranberry-Banana Smoothies

When the big meal is over, I make a smoothie using leftover cranberry sauce. Don’t have a frozen banana? Use a regular banana and add more ice. —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio

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Slow-Cooker Bananas Foster

The flavors of caramel, rum and walnut naturally complement fresh bananas in this classic dessert made easy! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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Beernana Bread

Really, it's simple arithmetic…or something like that: Beer is good. Banana bread is good. Beernana bread is great! Even guys who don't know their way around the kitchen can pull this one off. —Steve Cayford, Dubuque, Iowa

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Banana Rum Sundaes

You can serve this mouthwatering dessert any time because it takes just minutes to make. The warm, sweet fruit and the creamy, cold ice cream create a winning combination. —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois

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Banana Souffle

This pretty, golden-topped puff is so easy to whip up, but looks like you really fussed. Lightly laced with rum, the moist, tender, banana-rich souffle makes that perfect “little something” to wrap up any holiday dinner. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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Moist Pineapple Banana Bread

Our four kids like slices of this moist tropical-tasting banana bread for breakfast. I sometimes bake it in mini loaf pans, then freeze the loaves so we can enjoy a small portion at a time. —Mary Watkins, Chaska, Minnesota

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Favorite Banana Split Smoothies

I try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa

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Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake

My grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee

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Banana Squares

When we were first married, my husband was in the Navy. Stationed in Puerto Rico, we had banana trees growing in our yard, so I found ways to use dozens of ripe bananas at a time. I made these banana squares often. They freeze well and make a great snack to have on hand when friends drop in for coffee. —Susan Miller, Raleigh, North Carolina

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The post How to Freeze Bananas 3 Different Ways appeared first on Taste of Home.

Annamarie Higley