Whether you have an abundance of bananas or a few sitting in a fruit bowl, getting riper by the day, and attracting those pesky fruit flies, freezing them is your best option.
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How do you freeze bananas?
We all love bananas – but sometimes they ripen too fast for us to enjoy them! The good news is saving them has never been easier with the help of your freezer. There are different ways to go about it, and the best part is that it takes very little effort to get delicious results!
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Can you freeze bananas?
Freezing is the best way to store and preserve your bananas. Don’t toss them out the moment you see way too many dark spots! There are ways you can turn things around with a few creative hacks. Freezing bananas is simple, but there are tricks to getting it right.
How to freeze bananas
If you freeze bananas the wrong way, they get messy and stick together, or worse turn brown because of oxidation. We’ve rounded up the best methods below.
Peeled
This technique requires minimum effort, just peel ’n’ snap.
- Take your bananas and remove the peels.
- Cut or snap them in halves.
- Place them in a freezable Ziploc bag and squeeze out the extra air.
Sliced
Turn your bananas into freezable slices so you can throw them into the blender for refreshing smoothies or shakes.
- Cut your bananas into equal-sized pieces.
- Place them on a tray with baking paper in between each layer.
- Cover the bananas and make sure there are no air visible air pockets.
- Once frozen, transfer them into an air-tight container.
Mashed
Mashed bananas are perfect if you’ll be using them for baking or cooking!
- Place your bananas in a bowl and mash them with a fork.
- Scoop the mashed bananas into an air-tight sealed bag and place in the freezer.
Pureed
Frozen banana puree can be used for smoothies, baby food, and baking batter.
- Place your mashed bananas in a blender or food processor.
- Pulse for a few seconds and scoop everything out.
- Place the puree in an air-tight container in the freezer.
Unpeeled
If you’re in a time crunch, you can put your unpeeled bananas in the freezer. But the cost of being in a rush means you’ll spend more time peeling frozen bananas afterwards.
- Place your bundle of bananas straight into the freezer overnight.
- Your frozen bananas turn brown but the inside will still be fresh.
How to peel a frozen banana
Peeling a frozen banana is no easy task. First, you need to let them thaw. Otherwise, the skin will come off in brittle bits and pieces. Be warned; things will get slimy when using any of these methods:
- Leave it out on a countertop at room temperature.
- Stick it in the microwave on the defrost setting for under a minute.
- Wrap it in a Ziploc bag and soak in warm water for 15 minutes.
- When thawed, cut into the banana peel and remove it with your hands
How long can you freeze bananas for?
Frozen bananas can keep in the fridge for three to six months. If stored right, they should last even longer! Just make sure you label everything with the date you started freezing them so you don’t forget.
Can you freeze overripe bananas?
They might look like goners, but those dark brown bananas still have a second chance at life! As long as they aren’t rotten, you can still make the most out of their situation. Peel and stash them in your freezer as a mash or puree. You can also add in a squeeze of lemon to keep them from getting any darker.
What to do with frozen bananas
Banana smoothies
These fruity drinks are refreshing no matter what the season. Make a creamy smoothie or a milkshake!
- Find your sliced bananas and throw them into your blender with cream or milk.
- You can mix in your favourite fruits, peanut butter or cinnamon for added flavour.
Baked goods
Banana bread is a staple for using overripe bananas, but you can get as creative as you want!
- Mix the mash or puree into your pancakes, waffles, crepes, cakes, or muffins.
Banana ice cream
Banana ice cream is known as ‘nice cream’ for a very good reason. Bonus points for being vegan-friendly!
- Take whole peeled bananas and blend them frozen.
- Scoop and serve in a mug with chocolate and bits of peanuts.
Chocolate-dipped banana pops
This is a classic childhood dessert that everyone enjoys. Plus they’re easy to eat on-the-go!
- Poke a popsicle stick through your bananas.
- Coat them in chocolate and your choice of toppings.
- Place them in the freezer for a few hours.
Banana fritters
These deep-fried banana bites or fritters are perfect with ice cream!
- Take your sliced frozen bananas.
- Coat each piece in pancake batter.
- Deep fry in hot oil for a minute each.
- Drizzle with chocolate or caramel syrup.
Bananas are one of the most versatile fruits ever! The next time you have a surplus, don’t let them rot away and go to waste. Put our tips to good use and enjoy your ready-to-go bananas straight out of the freezer. Now that you’ve got our hacks, you can go bananas and use them in your drinks or snacks!
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