Freezing Bananas Before They Go Bad
Freezing bananas before they get too ripe is an excellent way to save them for using later. It's easy to do, and it will save you money. Let me show you all of the great ways to use frozen bananas!
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Freezing Bananas
It is so frustrating when I buy groceries that go bad before I even have a chance to use them!
I find this is especially true with fruits like bananas. And that's where freezing them comes in handy.
While I love to have the fresh fruit for a quick snack, I'm always a little excited when they start to get brown spots. Once they're ripe, they add sweetness to so many delicious recipes.
I've learned that freezing bananas can extend their life not just to make delicious smoothies, but I also defrost the fruit later to bake things like banana muffins!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
It's cheaper to freeze bananas yourself than to buy a bag of frozen chunks at the grocery store. Plus, you can cut down on food waste by freezing fruit that is about to go bad.
It's quick and easy to do! Freezing bananas takes very little time and will save you even more time down the line if you prep a bunch all at once.
You can freeze your fruit exactly how you want: bigger chunks, smaller slices, whole or even pureed. They are great for a variety of recipes!
Tools and Supplies You'll Need
You'll need a bunch of bananas, of course! You can also use this same process to freeze plantains.
It's best to freeze ripe fruit when it is sweeter. If it is green, just give it a few days to turn yellow first. Overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are still okay to pop in the freezer.
You'll need a cutting board, a knife and a baking sheet to freeze them. You can add parchment paper or wax paper if you want to keep your baking sheet clean, but it isn't necessary.
Also, you'll need something to store the the frozen bananas in, such as an airtight container or zip top freezer-safe bag. Make sure it's freezer-safe so the fruit doesn't get freezer burn.
Guide for Freezing Bananas
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full step by step instructions! ⬇️
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Freezing Banana Slices
This method works well for making smoothies because they go into the blender so easily. After they thaw, I also add frozen banana slices to peanut butter overnight oats!
- To start, you'll want to peel and cut the fruit. I usually cut each banana into small chunks.
- Lay the slices on a baking sheet, making sure they don't touch or overlap.
- Flash freeze the slices before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container for longer storage.
Freezing Whole Peeled Bananas
This method is similar to freezing chunks, but it's my preferred method for baked goods, which tend to call for whole bananas. It's much easier to keep track of one or two pieces rather than counting slices.
- To start, peel the fruit. You can leave the fruit as is, or cut each one in half horizontally or lengthwise to save on freezer space.
- Place them on a baking sheet, making sure they don't touch.
- Flash-freeze them, then pop them into a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freezing Unpeeled Bananas
If you're in a rush, you can freeze bananas with the peels on. The skins will turn black and brown (see the photo for reference), but the fruit inside will be preserved.
Keep in mind, you will need to thaw the frozen bananas before you can remove the peel. So, while this method saves you time in the present moment, it'll require a little extra preparation later on.
- Flash freeze unpeeled, whole bananas on a baking sheet.
- Transfer them to a freezer-safe container until you're ready to use them.
- To use, thaw them at room temperature, in the fridge or in the microwave.
- After thawing, you can remove the peel as you normally would, or slice it with a sharp knife and unwrap the peel from the fruit.
Freezing Banana Puree
Another option is freezing banana puree. Frozen puree is great for feeding to babies, and using in baked goods that call for a specific amount of mashed fruit.
- Spoon the puree into a freezer-safe zip top bag.
- Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Seal the bag tightly and freeze.
Madison's Tips for Success:
- When it comes to freezing slices or chunks, writing a note like "12 slices = 1 banana" will give you an idea for how many slices to use in recipes that call for a whole fruit.
- Flash-freezing bananas on the baking sheet keeps them from sticking together. The slices are quite sticky and can be hard to break apart when frozen into a big blob!
- There's nothing worse than freezer burn on frozen fruit. Make sure to get all the air out of the bag before you seal it to prevent any from forming!
- I don't recommend using thawed frozen fruit in recipes where fresh would be better, like banana pudding or fruit salad.
Thawing Frozen Bananas
Though the frozen fruit can be tossed into smoothies, you will want to thaw them for making baked goods like banana bread muffins.
There are two ways to thaw fruit that has been frozen:
- If you have a bit more time, thaw the frozen pieces at room temperature or in the fridge.
- Or if you need your fruit defrosted quickly, microwave them at 50% power.
Freezing Bananas FAQs
My preferred method for freezing is by peeling them and either slicing them in half or into chunks. I find they are the easiest to use in this form for both smoothies and baking recipes.
Peeled fruit can be flash frozen in 1 to 2 hours, meaning that the outer edges will be frozen enough so they don't stick together. They will be fully frozen in about 3 hours.
They can be frozen for up to 6 months. After this time, the fruit will begin to brown and will be very mushy when thawed.
Uses For Frozen Bananas
Most of the time, I use the fruit for smoothies, in overnight oats, and in baked goods.
However, for a super delicious snack, you can dip frozen slices in melted chocolate, then re-freeze for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt for the ultimate treat!
Freezing Bananas Before They Go Bad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 bananas
- ziptop bag
Instructions
- Peel the 6 bananas. (See note.)
- Leave the bananas whole, cut in half or slice them.
- Place bananas on a baking sheet with space in between. Freeze for 1-2 hours. This prevents bananas from sticking together.
- Transfer the frozen bananas to a labeled ziptop bag or freezer-safe container. Use within 6 months.
- Frozen bananas can be blended frozen into smoothies or thawed for baking recipes. Thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours, overnight in the fridge or in the microwave at 50%. Time varies by microwave, but approximately 3 minutes will thaw 4-5 bananas. Any liquid accrued during thawing can be discarded or used in recipes.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Freezing Guides
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