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20 Easy Recipes to Use Up Overripe Bananas
Never throw out a banana again.
We all have good intensions when buying bananas, but sometimes they just aren't eaten quickly enough! It happens to the best of us. But there are so many ways you can use an overripe banana, and we're talking about more than banana bread. (Although we will never say no to banana bread.)
When bananas ripen, the starchiness that keeps them firm begins to break down into simpler sugars—meaning that the softer they are, the sweeter they are. And that sweetness is what you want when mashing up bananas to stir into a pancake or quick bread batter, or to freeze for ice cream, smoothies, and other desserts.
As soon as bananas get too soft to eat (and before the fruit flies appear!), you can store bananas in the freezer until you're ready to use them. (You can also try this method of getting your kitchen fruit-fly free!)
Then check out these easy ideas for cooking with overripe bananas. They're so tasty you may find yourself buying extra bananas just to have enough left over to make them!
Got more banana questions? We've got banana answers!
Peanut Butter Banana Bread Granola
This easy granola recipe, made with mashed bananas and creamy natural peanut butter, will last and taste delicious for an entire week. It's a great breakfast or afternoon snack!
Banana Count: 1 medium banana
Hummingbird Layer Cake
This classic Southern (actually Caribbean!) cake wouldn't be the same without that signature mix of bananas and pineapple.
Banana Count: 2 large bananas
Salty Peanut Banana Pudding
If you love banana pudding, you need to try this version that combines the best of peanut butter and bananas. This salty, sweet, dessert is a no bake delight that will get people talking.
Banana count: 4 medium bananas
Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel
The classic "oops my bananas got soft" solution is, of course, banana bread.
This recipe has a peanut topping that is so good, the loaf will disappear before you know it.
Banana Count: 3 large bananas
Get the recipe for Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel.
Banana Tart Tatin
A tatin is a sort of upside-down tart, where the fruit caramelizes by cooking on the bottom of the pan.
Overripe bananas, which tend to be more sugary, are great with this method, as they'll get nice and caramelized.
Banana Count: 4 large bananas
Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
Another banana bread? yes, but this is the hands-down most indulgent banana bread we've ever made.It's honestly worth keeping chocolate chunks on hand in case you end up with enough overripe bananas.
Banana Count: 4 medium bananas
Banana Pudding Pie
A retro dessert gets a delicious makeover — courtesy of fresh bananas, a vanilla-wafer crust, and loads of gooey caramel.
Banana count: 3 medium bananas
Olive’s Naturally Sweet PB&J Pancakes
Besides banana bread, the other classic way of using up the last of an overipe bunch is by dropping 'em in pancakes. In fact, you want your pancake bananas to be as ripe as possible, as they'll then blend right into the batter, without leaving chunks.
Chef Ryan Scott adds peanut butter and berries for a PB&J flavor that his daughter Olive loves!
Banana Count: 2 medium bananas
Banana-Berry Smoothie
Brilliant idea number 5: Use that too-ripe banana to thicken (and sweeten) a smoothie! One of our favorite things about smoothies is their malleable, no-recipe form. You can put in most any fruit, juice, flavors, or even yogurt that you have. But this basic Banana-Berry smoothie with ginger, is a great place to start!
Banana Count: 1 banana per serving
Griddled Banana Bread with Sorghum Syrup
Want to get a little fancy? This griddled banana bread will make you feel like you're brunching at a fancy bed-and-breakfast spot. If you can't track down sorghum syrup, maple makes a fine sub!
Banana Count: 3 large bananas
Get the recipe for Griddled Banana Bread with Sorghum Syrup.
Butterscotch-Banana Trifle
Whether you're serving a crowd or it's just too hot to turn on the oven, you can layer up a super simple, no-bake trifle for a visually impressive—and yet super easy—treat.
Banana Count: 6 medium bananas
Baked Brown-Butter Banana Bread Doughnuts
Here's another fancy recipe where overripe bananas (which mash easier and leave fewer chunks) are actually better than underripe or even just-ripe bananas.
Banana Count: 3 medium bananas
Get the recipe for Baked Brown-Butter Banana Bread Doughnuts.
Banana-Butterscotch Cake
Think of this bundt cake as if banana bread put on a fancy dress and got ready to go to a party. (And then everyone wanted to dance with her when she got there.)
Banana Count: 2 large bananas
Fern's Banana Bread
Of course, banana bread doesn't need to be fancy! This no-fuss version came from reader Fern Robichaud of Lake Worth, Florida. Her smart trick? Bisquick biscuit mix!
Banana Count: 3 large bananas
Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops
Here's a take on banana ice cream that we love for keeping the kiddos cool during the summer!
Banana Count: 2 large bananas
Cocoa Puffs and Banana Pie
Sliced bananas form the bottom of this rich dessert riff on sugary breakfasts. If your overripe bananas are a little too soft for slicing, just peel 'em and toss 'em in the freezer for a couple hours, then take 'em out, slice 'em, and proceed with the directions.
Banana Count: 2 ripe bananas
Banana, Brown Sugar, and White Chocolate Mini-Bundt Cakes
These over-the-top mini bundts are ideal for holiday gifting or just snacking! They start with our basic quickbread mix so they're super easy. You'll need a mini bundt pan to make them—but you can also make this as a regular banana bread!
Banana Count: 3 bananas
Get the recipe for Banana, Brown Sugar, and White Chocolate Mini-Bundt Cakes.
Banana Bread Flapjacks
Flapjacks but make it banana bread. What could be better? These'll serve six, and the leftovers can be frozen and reheated!
Banana Count: 4 to 5 medium bananas
Banana-Caramel Cake
Not a pie fan, but still want to combine bananas and caramel? We absolutely understand. And we have a cake recipe for you to check out.
Banana Count: 2 bananas
Mini Banoffee Tarts
Banoffee is the word you use for the unexpectedly amazing combination of banana and toffee. (Also chocolate, but "banoffeocolate" is way too hard to pronounce.)
Banana Count: 4 bananas
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