16 Banana Recipes for Ripe Bananas
Posted: 02/14/2023
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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!
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.
- Line a pan with parchment to prevent the bananas from sticking.
- Cut the ripe bananas in slices and lay them in a single layer on the lined baking sheet.
- Freeze until firm, 1-2 hours.
- 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.
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
Baked Banana Donuts
Brown sugar glazed banana donuts are irresistibly good. These baked donuts are easy to make, too!
Check out this recipe
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Stephanie says
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.
Liz+@+Floating+Kitchen says
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!
Maria says
love them all!