How to Use Frozen Bananas in Different Recipes

Have you ever purchased too many bananas? We've all done it. The good news is that you can bake up banana bread with overripened bananas, or you can freeze your bananas to use at a later time. Frozen bananas are great for popsicles, smoothies, and baking.

Why should you freeze bananas?

Bananas are a versatile ingredient used in baking and smoothies, so it often helps to have a frozen sliced banana ready when you’re in a hurry. This way, they’re at the exact ripeness you prefer versus having to wait for them to ripen on your counter.

Bananas remain useable for up to three months in the freezer while they only remain fresh for five to seven days on the counter.

How to freeze bananas

While you can freeze bananas whole or mashed, it’s typically better to freeze them sliced. Here's how:

1. Prepare a large baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper.
2. Slice the bananas evenly and lay them on the baking sheet in a single layer.
3. Freeze the bananas for at least an hour, and then transfer them into a freezer-safe bag.
4. If you do a large batch at a time, label how many sliced bananas are in each bag to assist with making recipes.

How to thaw frozen bananas

If you’re making a smoothie, you don’t need to thaw the bananas first. However, if you’re baking with the bananas, allow around for two hours for them to thaw to room temperature. 

Set them on a plate on the counter. If you need them quicker, you can defrost them on the lowest setting on the microwave in a few minutes or submerge the freezer bag in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes.

When you thaw the frozen bananas, they’ll have a runny juice. Depending on what you are baking, you may want to save it. It can add moisture to banana bread, but you also drain the excess juice off in a berry bowl to risk throwing the recipe ratio off.

10 Easy frozen banana recipes

Frozen bananas are such a versatile ingredient, making them easy to use in smoothies, “ice” cream, or baked goods.

1. Strawberry banana chai smoothie

Adding chia seeds to your morning smoothie adds extra texture. The banana adds flavor and creaminess, while the strawberries pair well with most smoothie combinations.

2. Frozen chocolate bananas

It’s easy to make frozen chocolate bananas. These treats are popular with everyone from adults to kids. Cut your bananas in half and insert a popsicle stick in each. Lay the bananas on a lined baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes. Make a chocolate sauce out of melted chocolate chips. Dip the bananas in chocolate and roll in granola, nuts, or sprinkles. Then, freeze again.

3. Peanut butter chocolate chip banana nice cream

This is like the consistency of ice cream, but it's dairy-free. All you need is frozen sliced bananas, natural peanut butter, unsweetened almond milk, and mini chocolate chips. Blend the first three ingredients in a high-speed blender, and then add in the chocolate chips. The mixture should be soft-serve consistency, but freeze it in a bread pan if you want it firmer.

4. Greek yogurt banana bread

Banana bread is an old-time favorite. This recipe calls for two to three medium bananas. Make sure they’re thawed before using. The Greek yogurt helps moisten the banana bread instead of using oil.

5. Chocolate peanut butter banana sandwiches

This treat is perfect for serving at parties. Spread peanut butter between two banana slices until you run out of slices. Set the bananas in the fridge to harden. Make a chocolate mixture and carefully cover each banana sandwich with chocolate. Garnish with peanuts. Freeze for around 20 minutes.

6. Peanut butter and banana brownies

Peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate brownies are an instant hit. Combine one mashed banana, peanut butter, canola oil, brown sugar, and eggs before sifting in the flour. Add extra nuts, and bake in a parchment paper-lined 8x8 dish.

7. Cinnamon banana waffles

Looking for something different to make for Sunday brunch with everyday staples? Try these cinnamon banana waffles. They need only one mashed banana for a single batch. If you’re feeding a large family, you’ll need a few more. The rest of the ingredients includes items like flour, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter.

8. Chocolate chia pudding pops with banana

These popsicles are a fun snack to make with your children and have for after-school treats. Prepare the chia chocolate pudding out of milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and cocoa powder. Add chocolate chips for texture. Let the pudding thicken for two hours and pour into the popsicle molds with banana slices to freeze.

9. Banana cake with cream cheese icing

This moist banana cake uses four frozen bananas that are thawed and mashed. It uses many other staples, including homemade buttermilk. This banana cake stays extra moist since it goes straight from the oven to the freezer to cool. Keep a dishtowel underneath to prevent the heat from transferring to your other items.

10. Baked banana donuts with chocolate glaze

These donuts are easy to prepare. They are baked in a donut pan in the oven and will taste crispy without being fried. Add one medium banana to a basic donut recipe with dark brown sugar, whole milk, and all-purpose flour. Use a piping bag to fill the donut cavities evenly. While they’re baking, prepare the chocolate glaze.

Final thoughts on how to use frozen bananas

When using frozen bananas, consider what you’re planning to create. If you’re going to make frozen bananas, you’ll need to cut the bananas in half to freeze them. If you make protein smoothies for breakfast, consider having sandwich bags of sliced bananas ready to go in pre-portioned sizes. If you’re using them to bake with, allow enough time for the bananas to thaw before proceeding with the recipe. You can find a variety of bananas and other ingredients with Instacart.