As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
“Parenting is buying 4 bananas and watching them all get eaten in one day, then buying 8 bananas and watching them rot on your counter because ‘no ones likes bananas.'”
I saw that meme the other day and I felt that! This is literally my life as a mom, whether it’s bananas or something else. Who else can relate?
But lets focus on bananas. What do you do with a bunch of overripe bananas? Freeze them, of course!
Why freeze overripe bananas?
Freezing overripe bananas is the best way to save the bananas for future use, before they go bad. Mama always told us not to waste our food, right?
Overripe bananas are so good in recipes because they’re naturally very sweet. They make the best banana bread, and are perfect for smoothies. Try this Berry, Banana & Avocado smoothie. It uses frozen overripe bananas, so it doesn’t need any extra sugar!
The possibilities are endless! Check out this list of 22 recipes for ripe and overripe bananas.
Can I freeze bananas that aren’t overripe?
Of course! You can freeze bananas at any stage of their ripeness. For me, though, I wait until the bananas have at least a few brown spots on them before freezing them. I think they taste the best because they are sweet and the banana flavor is stronger.
It’s all a matter of opinion, though! Freeze them at whatever stage of ripeness you think is best.
What’s the best way to freeze bananas?
The best way to freeze bananas is to slice them and freeze them flat.
Why? Because if you don’t, you will end up with a giant clump of frozen bananas. I’m sure you don’t want to deal with that!
You will need:
Method:
Step 1: Peel and slice the bananas.
Step 2: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Then, place the bananas flat on the parchment paper.
If you have more bananas than will fit on one layer, place a second sheet of parchment paper over the first layer of bananas. Then, place bananas flat on the parchment paper. You can create as many layers as needed.
Step 3: Place the sheet pan in the freezer for about 3 hours, or until the bananas are completely frozen.
Step 4: Remove the sheet pan from the freezer. Put all of the bananas in a freezer bag or reusable silicone bag, and put it back in the freezer. Make sure to squeeze all of the air out of the bag to keep the bananas from turning brown. The bananas will maintain their quality up to 3 months.
Note:
If you don’t have a ton of bananas to freeze, you can also use a small, airtight container to freeze the bananas in. Layer the bananas with parchment paper the same way. Using this method, there is no need to remove the bananas and place them into a bag. They can be kept in the airtight container, in layers, until you are ready to use them.
I use these glass containers to freeze my overripe bananas and other items.
Can I freeze bananas whole?
Yes, you can freeze bananas whole.
Follow the same steps as above, just skip slicing them: Peel the bananas and lay them flat on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze them for a few hours until they are frozen solid. Then place them into an airtight container or plastic bag and return them to the freezer.
Whatever you do, do not freeze the bananas with the peel on. The peels will turn black and become very thin, making them hard to peel when you’re ready to use them.
This is a personal preference, but I prefer to freeze my bananas when they’re sliced. They’re much easier to portion (maybe you don’t want to use the whole banana) and they’re easier for the blender to do it’s thing when using them in smoothies or making banana “ice cream”.
How do you freeze bananas for ice cream?
To make a healthy, easy banana “ice cream”, you freeze the bananas the same way as mentioned above (sliced, and frozen flat). Then you blend them in a food processor or a powerful blender until it turns into “ice cream.”
For a more detailed description on how to make one-ingredient banana ice cream, click here.
How do you freeze bananas without them turning brown?
The trick to freezing bananas without them turning brown is to make sure you store them in an airtight container. If you’re using a plastic freezer bag, make sure to squeeze all of the air out of it before placing it in the freezer.
If your bananas are still turning brown it’s because there is too much air in your container. Perhaps your airtight need replacing, because they’re not truly airtight.
Trying this out? I’d love to see it!
Tag @raising_veggie_lovers on Instagram and use hashtag #raisingveggielovers
How to Freeze Overripe Bananas
Instructions
- Peel and slice the bananas.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Then, place the bananas flat on the parchment paper.
- Place the sheet pan in the freezer for about 3 hours, or until the bananas are completely frozen.
- Remove the sheet pan from the freezer. Put all of the bananas in a freezer bag or reusable silicone bag, and put it back in the freezer. The bananas will maintain their quality up to 3 months.
Notes
As always, sharing is caring. Please click on the buttons below to share this recipe with your friends!
