Want to know the best way to freeze bananas? Bananas are such a versatile fruit that you can use in many different ways. Ranging from a smoothie, to baking into a bread. There are so many recipes and reasons to freeze your bananas in order to prolong your banana’s life!
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
What are the best ways to freeze bananas? Should you peel them first or leave them in their skins? Are there any special techniques or tips to ensure they don’t turn brown or lose their flavor? In this article, we’ll explore the best way to freeze bananas. Now you can enjoy them whenever you want without worrying about waste.
No matter which way you enjoy bananas, bananas are full of nutritional value. Healthline details 11 evidence based health benefits, so you can shamelessly eat all the bananas you want!
If you’re looking for recipes that use bananas, try these Banana Peanut Butter Bars, Banana Bread Cookies and Banana Mocha Smoothie.
Why We Love bananas
Versatile: You can use bananas in so many different recipes. Whether you make smoothies, bread, cake, creamy banana fillings, etc. there are endless possibilities.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Freezer Friendly: Absolutely! This tutorial is going to show you the best ways to freeze your bananas to make them last as long as possible!
Adaptable: Bananas are very adaptable as they are able to grow and thrive in different environments. From different climates to different soil types, bananas can adapt and produce and create the delicious treat!
Affordable: Bananas are quite the affordable fruit. Because they are able to produce such a large amount versus the labor required to produce them. They end up being inexpensive and affordable for you to enjoy.
What are bananas?
Bananas are a popular fruit around the world. They are typically yellow or green and have a sweet, creamy flesh. Bananas are also rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their overall health.
One of the most distinctive characteristics of bananas is their shape. Unlike other fruits which come in various sizes and shapes, bananas always have the same curved shape that makes them easy to peel and eat. The skin of a banana is thick and tough. When ripe, bananas have a bright yellow color with brown spots on the skin.
In addition to being eaten raw as a snack or use in smoothies and desserts, bananas can also be great in savory dishes such as curries or stews. You can freeze bananas that have skins off, skin on, mashed or whole. THey are very versatile.
Types of bananas
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. In fact, there are more than 1,000 different types of bananas grown worldwide. However, not all bananas taste the same or have the same texture. Here are some of the most popular kinds.
- Type 1: One of the most common types of bananas is the Cavendish banana. This banana is medium-size and has a yellow skin that turns brown when it’s ripe. The flesh inside is creamy and sweet with a slightly tangy flavor.
- Type 2: Another type is Lady Finger or Baby Bananas which are small in size with a thin skin. They have a very sweet taste and are perfect for snacking or adding to smoothies.
- Type 3: Plantains are a type of starchy, low-sugar banana. It is often a staple food in Latin American, Caribbean and African cuisine. They are actually from the same family as bananas but have a higher starch content and thicker skins. This makes them more versatile when cooking. Boil, fry, mash, or bake with them.
Benefits of bananas
- Benefit 1: Bananas are a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese and dietary fiber. A medium-sized banana contains about 105 calories. It makes an ideal snack for people looking to maintain their weight or lose weight.
- Benefit 2: Regular consumption of bananas can improved heart health. The high levels of potassium in bananas help regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease
- Benefit 3: Bananas contain antioxidants like dopamine and catechins which help protect against cell damage caused by free radicals in the body.
Best Way to Freeze Bananas
Whether you choose to freeze your banana with the skin on or the skin off, this guide will tell you how.
These are the basic steps for Best Way to Freeze Bananas. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
How to prepare bananas for freezing
The easiest way to prepare your bananas for freezing is to either cut your bananas in half or slice into 1/2-inch rounds. Place on a prepared baking sheet in a single layer so they aren’t touching or overlapping. Freeze and then remove to a freezer bag or airtight container.
You can also freeze whole bananas, just make sure you peel the skin before freezing.
Skin on
While you can freeze bananas with the skin on, you’ll save yourself some time. Remove the peels before you freeze your bananas.
When frozen, banana peels turn dark and get soft. While the bananas are still safe to eat when they’re like this, it makes the peels very difficult to remove. However, you can thaw the banana and then remove the skin. The banana will only be good for mash usage.
Freezing bananas in their skin will produce only mashed bananas.
Skin off
Slices: After placing your banana slices on a baking sheet, place them in the freezer. Flash freeze them for about two hours or until solid.
Then, transfer your slices into a freezer safe bag or container and place them back into the freezer. Flash freezing the slices beforehand will ensure that the slices do not stick together when in the bag or container.
Whole: After your whole bananas are peeled, place in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze until solid.
Banana FAQs
Expert Tips for Preventing Your Bananas From Turning Brown
- Tip 1: One of the easiest ways to prevent your bananas from turning brown is by storing them properly. Bananas should be kept at room temperature until they are ripe. Then moved into the refrigerator where they will last longer.
- Tip 2: Wrap the stem of each banana in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can help slow down the ripening process.
- Tip 3: Also another way to keep your bananas fresh is by separating them.
Banana Recipes to Try
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Did you try this?
Please leave a star rating and review below!
Best Way to Freeze Bananas
Equipment
- 1 Freezer Safe Bag
- 1 Freezer Safe Container
Materials
- 1 whole banana
Instructions
- How to prepare bananas for freezingThe easiest way to prepare your bananas for freezing is to either cut your bananas in half or slice into 1/2-inch rounds and place on a prepared baking sheet in a single layer so they aren’t touching or overlapping.You can also freeze whole bananas, just make sure you peel the skin before freezing.
- Skin onWhile you can freeze bananas with the skin on, you’ll save yourself some time and frustration if you remove the peels before you freeze your bananas.When frozen, banana peels turn dark and get soft. While the bananas are still safe to eat when they’re like this, it makes the peels very difficult to remove.Freezing bananas in their skin will produce only mashed bananas.
- Skin offSlices: After placing your banana slices on a baking sheet, place them in the freezer and flash freeze them for about two hours or until solid.Then, transfer your slices into a freezer safe bag or container and place them back into the freezer. Flash freezing the slices beforehand will ensure that the slices do not stick together when in the bag or container.Whole: After your whole bananas are peeled, place in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze until solid.
Expert Tips
Expert Tips for Preventing Your Bananas From Turning Brown
- Tip 1: One of the easiest ways to prevent your bananas from turning brown is by storing them properly. Bananas should be kept at room temperature until they are ripe, and then moved into the refrigerator where they will last longer.
- Tip 2: Another tip is to wrap the stem of each banana in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, which can help slow down the ripening process.
- Tip 3: Another way to keep your bananas fresh for longer is by separating them from each other once you bring them home from the grocery store or market.