Why Freeze Bananas?
If you have never frozen bananas before, you are in for a treat (literally). Freezing bananas:
Saves your bananas before they go bad, reducing wasteAllows you to buy bananas in bulk or on sale without feeling the need to use them all up quicklyReduces trips to the grocery store, you can have bananas on hand all the timeFrees up counter spaceAllows you to have perfectly ripe bananas as an ingredient ANY time
How to Freeze Bananas
There are several different ways you can freeze bananas and depending on what you will use the bananas for will help you determine which method of freezing will be best for you. I will quickly go over each method below and what they are best used for.
Timing
For all of the methods, you will want to use fully ripe (or close to fully ripe bananas). Don’t be freezing those bananas when they are still green or they will be too starchy to use as an ingredient (and not as sweet). If you are planning on using the banana chunks for baking, you want to freeze the bananas right at the point you would normally use them in banana bread (almost over ripe), with plenty of brown on the peel.
The Sliced Method
Sliced bananas are great to use when using in smoothies, milkshakes, popsicles, or for banana ice cream. Because the frozen banana slices are in smaller pieces, they are easier on a blender or food processor and the result is a perfectly creamy texture. Slicing bananas and freezing them can be time consuming but worth it if you are just wanting to use a few pieces of banana at a time. The problem with this method is that you can’t freeze large amounts at one time because the little slices take up a lot of space.
Instructions:
Whole or Pieced Bananas
I like to freeze whole bananas when I know I will be using them in sweet treats like quick bread, cakes, or other baking recipes. I like to freeze them when they are perfectly ripe so when I thaw them, they mash easily. Plus, it’s freezing whole bananas is a little easier than sliced bananas because, well, you don’t have to slice them. You can also freeze more at a time because you aren’t slicing and laying out each individual slice in a single layer. You can also break the banana into halves or thirds and then freeze if you want to have more control of the portions.
How to Freeze Whole or Pieced Bananas:
Can you freeze bananas in the peel?
In short, yes, you can freeze bananas in their peel by placing them in a Ziplock bag and freezing them. However, I don’t love this method because they are more difficult to peel after they have been frozen. Peeling them while they are still frozen is a bit of a daunting task and peeling them after they have thawed to room temperature turns out to be a sticky mess. I prefer peeling them before freezing because it will just make your life easier in the future.
Pureed or Mashed Bananas
Mashed bananas can be great for baking too, but mashing the perfect amount to freeze for future recipes can be difficult. Some like to mash up a bunch at once and freeze it all together but I find this difficult when I just need a cup of two of banana. That is why when it comes to baking, I prefer using whole or pieced. I found that I used mashed/pureed banana the most when I used it for baby food.
Freezing Mashed Banana for Baby Food
When my kiddos were babies, they loved mashed bananas. It’s so easy to mash up a fresh banana and give it to them right then and there but sometimes the bananas would ripen faster than my kids would eat them. That is when I would resort to freezing them. When the bananas started getting a little too ripe, I mashed them up and put them ice cube trays or baby food freezing trays before going bad. They are so easy to pop out and thaw in the fridge one at a time and it saved me from having to go to the store every few days for fresh bananas (and saved me tons by not buying the jarred baby food).
How to Freeze Mashed Bananas for Baby Food:
How to Thaw and Use Frozen Bananas
When using frozen bananas for a banana smoothie or ice cream there is no need to thaw before using. If using bananas for baking, you will want the banana to be fully thawed so you can mash and measure the exact amount you will need for your recipe. To thaw, place the amount you need in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator overnight. By morning it should be ready to mash and use in a recipe.
Here is a Recipe for a 3 Ingredient Banana Smoothie
Recipes Where You Can Use Frozen Bananas:
Banana Chocolate Chip MuffinsBanana Berry Smoothie Chocolate Banana BreadHealthy Banana MuffinsBanana Smoothie with Orange and PineappleGolden Detox SmoothieHealthy Oatmeal Cookies
One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream (With 7 Variations)
Grilled Banana Boats
Tropical Banana Smoothie
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
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