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16 Banana Recipes for Ripe Bananas

3 Comments
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 02/14/2023Updated: 02/14/2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Four recipe images, text overlay reads "16 easy banana recipes."

Needing inspiration for those bananas on your counter? Are they minutes away from being claimed by fruit flies? Look no further – here are so many great banana recipes to choose from!

Four recipe images, text overlay reads "16 easy banana recipes."

We go through literally about 4-5 bunches of bananas a week. At least. My son alone eats about three a day, and that’s only because I limit him to three a day. It was one of his first words, as a matter of fact. “Nah-nah!” He loves them. I can barely manage to save a few brown ones to bake with or use in smoothies. I almost always default to my favorite healthy banana bread, but it’s fun to try new things too!

This list of recipes contains a little bit of everything, but as always, all the recipes are easy and simple.

You’ll find desserts, smoothies, pancakes, and of course breads and muffins on this list.

Leave a comment and let me know what you plan to try first!

How to Ripen Bananas Quickly

If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can still make these recipes today! There are two main ways to ripen bananas quickly.

Brown Paper Bag Method

This method is slower – it will still take 1-3 days for your bananas to ripen, depending on how ripe they are to begin with. Place them in a brown paper bag and fold over the top. To expedite the process, also place an apple, avocado, or tomato in the bag with the bananas.

The science behind this method is that ethylene gas builds up inside the bag and helps ripen the bananas more quickly.

Oven Method

Preheat your oven to 300ºF. Place bananas (with the peels still on) on a parchment paper baking sheet and put in preheated oven for 20-40 minutes or until they’re dark blackish brown. They’ll look super ugly, but they’ll be soft and sweet on the inside. Don’t be alarmed if they leak a little juice/sugar – that’s what the parchment paper is for.

Cool well before handling and using in your recipes.

This method works best for bananas that are at least a little ripe, not bright green bananas.

How to Freeze Bananas

If you have too many bananas to use right now, you can freeze them for later! You can head to our tutorial to learn how to freeze bananas, but I’ll give you the short version here.

  1. Line a pan with parchment to prevent the bananas from sticking.
  2. Cut the ripe bananas in slices and lay them in a single layer on the lined baking sheet.
  3. Freeze until firm, 1-2 hours.
  4. When they’re firm, move them into a freezer-safe container, where they’ll keep for 3 months.

Frozen bananas are great for smoothies straight from the freezer, or thaw them overnight in the fridge to use in baked goods.

Frozen bananas in a freezer bag.

16 Banana Recipes

Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Whole wheat banana bread is a staple in my house – my kids love it and it's a perfect way to use ripe bananas. It freezes well and makes a great lunchbox treat!
Check out this recipe
Whole wheat banana bread, partially sliced.
Baked Banana Donuts
Brown sugar glazed banana donuts are irresistibly good. These baked donuts are easy to make, too!
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of a glazed donut topped with walnuts and a banana slice.
The Best Banana Cake
Old fashioned homemade banana cake is hard to beat! Make your own cake with ripe bananas and a hand mixer, it's so easy. 
Check out this recipe
Banana cake with white cream cheese frosting, topped with bananas and nuts.
Triple Chocolate Banana Muffins – healthier!
Triple chocolate banana muffins, chock full of dark chocolate chunks and mini chocolate chips, are nutritious and filling with whole wheat flour and very little oil. You're going to love these muffins!
Check out this recipe
A muffin pan full of whole wheat chocolate muffins, sprinkled with mini chocolate chips.
Healthy Banana Pancakes – Whole Wheat
These easy and healthy banana pancakes taste just like banana bread in a whole wheat pancake form! They freeze well and will make mornings delicious!
Check out this recipe
These easy and healthy banana pancakes taste just like banana bread in a whole wheat pancake form! They freeze well and will make mornings delicious! Get the healthy pancake recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Banana Coconut Blender Pancakes
Pull out your blender and make these easy (AND HEALTHY!) banana coconut blender pancakes. They’re a taste of the tropics!
Check out this recipe
Pull our your blender and make these easy (AND HEALTHY!) banana coconut blender pancakes. They're a taste of the tropics! Get the easy breakfast recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Whole Wheat Caramel Banana Bread
This whole wheat banana bread uses very little oil and 100% whole wheat flour. The caramel bits add the perfect touch of sweetness.
Check out this recipe
This whole wheat banana bread uses very little oil and 100% whole wheat flour. The caramel bits add the perfect touch of sweetness. Get the easy quick bread recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Whole Wheat Banana Muffins With Streusel
Whole wheat banana muffins with crunchy streusel topping are so delicious. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or lunchbox treats. 
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of a banana muffin with streusel.
Peach, Banana, and Cottage Cheese Smoothie Recipe
This peach, banana, honey and cottage cheese smoothie is a perfect snack or breakfast for kids and adults. Cottage cheese gives an extra boost of protein!
Check out this recipe
This peach banana and honey smoothie is a perfect snack or breakfast for kids and adults. A secret ingredient gives an extra boost of protein! Get the easy recipe on RachelCooks.com
Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Milkshake
This peanut butter chocolate banana milkshake is cool, refreshing and perfect for a summer day. You’ll love the combo of these three classic ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (and Filling)
These banana cupcakes are the perfect combination of banana and chocolate. The sweet filling inside makes them extra special.
Check out this recipe
These banana cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting are the perfect combination of banana and chocolate. The sweet filling inside makes them extra special. Get the fun and easy recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread
This chocolate banana bread is (almost) guilt-free and is a perfect way to start your morning. Tastes great with coffee!
Check out this recipe
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread | RachelCooks.com
Chocolate Walnut Breakfast Cookies
These breakfast cookies are a great balance of health and decadence with chocolate, walnuts, whole wheat flour, and a low amount of fat.
Check out this recipe
Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
This banana chocolate chip cake is ultra-moist, flecked with chocolate chips, and topped with a thick layer of chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe
Banana cake with chocolate frosting being scooped out of pan.
Skinny Banana Bread
This skinny banana bread is low in fat and is a winning recipe I've made many times. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or hot tea!
Check out this recipe
Image of sliced banana bread on a cutting board.
Mango Smoothie Recipe
Perfect for a quick breakfast or refreshing snack, a mango smoothie with bananas is creamy, delicious, and easy to make!
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of three mango smoothies.

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  1. Stephanie says

    September 29, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    I freeze my bananas before they get too brown but then they are ready for the recipes you suggested. We like the bananas in our smoothies and the dogs like them in their homemade dog treats.

    Reply
  2. Liz+@+Floating+Kitchen says

    September 28, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    This is a great round-up. I always default to banana bread or smoothies when I have a mess of bananas laying around. Now I’m going to branch out!

    Reply
  3. Maria says

    September 28, 2014 at 11:58 am

    love them all!

    Reply

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