Are you wondering what to do with those spotted, brown, and mushy bananas on your counter?
I know I am guilty of throwing those old bananas away because it seemed too time-consuming to do anything with them. But it’s such a waste!
And with the cost of food nowadays, I’m not throwing a dang thing away!
So, I started baking on the weekends to use up whatever bananas were going brown.
I try to make it a fun thing to do with the kids, especially if it’s cold out. It’s actually become an enjoyable task that I look forward to.
And using the brown bananas with pantry essentials I have on hand, helps me to make tasty treats and save money on snacks!
So, here are some easy recipes for overripe bananas that your whole family will love!
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Table of Contents
Can you freeze overripe bananas?
Before we get to the recipes, I wanted to talk about freezing bananas. If you don’t have time to bake right away, you can freeze the bananas for future use.
Frozen bananas are a great meal prep for smoothies or baking and a great way to reduce banana waste.
There are three different ways that I freeze bananas.
Sliced bananas
To freeze sliced bananas:
- Peel and cut the bananas into the desired size. I usually cut mine into 1-inch slices.
- Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and put in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
- Place in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Whole or half bananas
To freeze whole or half bananas:
- Peel and cut in half or leave whole.
- Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and put in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
- Place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months
Mashed bananas
To freeze mashed banana:
- Peel and mash bananas.
- Portion into an ice cube tray or silicone mold.
- Place in the freezer until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, place the desired amount in the fridge overnight.
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38 easy recipes for overripe bananas
Here are my favorite ways to use those spotted or brown bananas instead of throwing them away.
Banana muffin recipes
Muffins are a great breakfast and snack item and the perfect way to use up brown bananas. Here are some of my favorite muffin recipes for overripe bananas.
Banana Crumb Muffins
These delectable banana crumb muffins are easily made with overripe bananas and a crumb topping. They’re so good you won’t be able to stop eating them!
Banana Chocolate Muffins
These perfect banana muffins are a chocolate marbled masterpiece. They’re made with simple ingredients that will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.
Easy One Bowl Banana Muffins
Who doesn’t love a one-bowl recipe you can make in 5 minutes?! These banana muffins are a simple, quick, and the best way to use up your overripe bananas!
Banana Carrot Muffins
A delicious way to incorporate some extra fruit and veggies into your diet. These banana carrot muffins are a simple and yummy addition to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Banana Cinnamon Muffins
The cinnamon sugar topping takes these banana cinnamon muffins to the next level. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat!
Butterscotch Banana Muffins
These butterscotch banana muffins are soft, fluffy, and absolutely amazing. A perfect way to use up old bananas with brown spots.
Banana Pumpkin Muffins
These banana pumpkin muffins are a simple and delicious fall snack. Using bananas helps to cut sugar, making it a healthier alternative to regular pumpkin muffins.
Sourdough Banana Streusel Muffins
These amazing sourdough banana streusel muffins not only use up a good amount of overripe bananas but also use the discard from your sourdough starter!
Banana Bread Recipes
If you prefer a banana bread over muffins. Here are the most delicious banana bread recipes for using extra bananas.
Amish Banana Bread
Amish recipes are simple but absolutely delicious! This Amish classic banana bread is no exception. It’s moist, full of flavor, and will leave your house smelling amazing while it bakes.
Moist Double Chocolate Banana Bread
This moist double chocolate banana bread is such a decadent treat! Loaded with chocolatey goodness, it will definitely hit your sweet tooth spot.
Chocolate Chip Banana Zucchini Bread
I love zucchini bread! This chocolate chip banana zucchini bread is moist, sweet, and perfect for incorporating your brown bananas.
Strawberry Banana Bread
This strawberry banana bread is a healthier alternative using whole wheat flour. The combination of strawberries and bananas is the perfect combination!
Cream Cheese Banana Bread
This cream cheese banana bread uses simple ingredients to create a moist and absolutely irresistible treat!
Banana Breakfast Recipes
Here are the best banana breakfast recipes if you’re looking for appetizing breakfast ideas using a bunch of overripe bananas.
Banana Overnight Oats
These banana overnight oats are creamy and delicious and have a quick 5-minute breakfast prep.
Banana Bread Waffles
These banana bread waffles are great to make as a batch and freeze. They are great for on-the-go or with a bit of maple syrup!
Oatmeal Banana Pancakes
These banana oatmeal pancakes are a tasty, healthier, and freezable breakfast option. They are great plain or top with fruit, chocolate chips, syrup, or honey!
Banana Donuts with Chocolate Glaze
These banana donuts with chocolate glaze are so good and cheaper than hitting the nearest donut shop!
Banana Pikelets
These banana pikelets are sugar-free and simple to make! A yummy freezable breakfast or treat.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oats
These chocolate peanut butter banana baked oats are a wonderful breakfast you can enjoy all week.
Baked Oatmeal with Bananas and Nutella
You can’t go wrong with bananas and Nutella! These baked oatmeal bars with banana and Nutella are so good, and a great homemade oatmeal bar.
Banana Chia Pudding
This chia banana pudding is a healthy, filling, and yummy vegan and paleo-friendly treat.
Blended Baked Oats
These blended baked oats are a quick prep and delicious muffin-like breakfast for two.
Cold Brew Coffee Protein Smoothie
This cold brew coffee protein smoothie is an excellent replacement for your morning caffeine addiction!
Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
This refreshing strawberry banana peanut butter smoothie is vitamin-packed! You can make it a green smoothie with a handful of spinach for some extra nutrition.
Banana Dessert Recipes
If you’re looking for delectable desserts, here are some of the best banana dessert recipes!
Banana Cake Bars
These banana cake bars are perfection! The cake has a sweet banana flavor and a perfect cream cheese frosting.
Banana Brownies with Walnuts
If you love brownies, you’ll love these banana brownies with walnuts. They’re simple to make, moist, and so fudgy! You’ll love them!
Chewy Banana Almond Butter Cookies
These chewy almond butter banana cookies are simply delicious chewy ! A perfect snack that everyone will enjoy.
Banana Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
These banana oatmeal coconut cookies are easy to make and perfect if you have a lonely brown banana hanging around.
Air Fryer Banana Souffle
This air fryer banana souffle is a yummy light treat and Weight Watchers friendly!
Banana Jam
A delicious banana jam that doesn’t use pectin. It’s delicious on a slice of toast with breakfast or an afternoon snack!
Flambeed Banana
This flambeed banana is perfect on its own or with waffles, pancakes, or french toast!
Sourdough Banana Cake
This sourdough banana cake is another great recipe to use up your discard from your sourdough starter and your spotted bananas. It’s delicious and the cream cheese frosting is perfect!
Banana Bread Bundt Cake
This banana bundt cake is a simple recipe using yellow cake mix. It’s a tasty treat with a cup of coffee!
Banana Foster
Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this banana foster recipe is to die for!
Banana Walnut Snack Cake
This banana walnut snack cake is a perfect after-school (or anytime) snack!
Cookies and Cream Nice Cream
This cookies and cream nice cream is a healthier banana ice cream option if you’re in the mood for a frozen healthy dessert.
Blended Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
This blended cottage cheese ice cream is a healthy and nutritious treat packed with protein!
4-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
These banana oatmeal cookies are a simple one-bowl treat that is absolutely delicious!
Related: How To Save Money On Groceries Without Using Coupons
Conclusion
Stop throwing money away and wasting those mushy brown bananas! Instead, make something delicious the whole family can enjoy!
What are your favorite easy recipes for overripe bananas? Leave a comment below.
We typically freeze them and make smoothies, or I’ll use them for banana bread. You shared some delicious recipes — going to save some for next time!
Glad I could help!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
I wish I had this article last winter when I saved three huge banana boxes from a dumpster and had bananas coming out of my ears!
LOL! That’s awesome! I hope you were able to use them all up!
Very yummy recipes.
I’ve never seen so many banana recipes in one place! Bookmarked as this post is now my go-to for all banana related recipes! I just love it!
So many good ideas here. I loooove banana muffins and banana pancakes!
What a nice collection of recipes! I think there some new recipe ideas that I have learned from your post which I can share with my friends and family. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it!
these look yummy
Thanks for sharing these! I always buy bananas since my family loves them, but there are some weeks when I may overbuy them and they get too overripe. I’ll have to try the double chocolate banana bread first, that looks delicious!
It’s so good! You won’t be disappointed!
These are great! I have several banana trees in my yard. so when we get bananas, we get 100s of them at once.
That sounds wonderful!
These are great! So good to have an alternative to banana bread.
Oh my goodness, i didn’t know there was so many different ways to use bananas.
These look some good recipes for ripe bananas. Thank you for sharing 🤗
Pastor Natalie (Examine This Moment )
Letstakeamoment.com
These look yummy, I love banana muffins and banana pancakes! Thanks for sharing.
Banana muffins are a weakness…LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
These are great! So good to have an alternative to banana bread.
Glad you liked it! All of the recipes are so good!
I’ve never seen so many banana recipes in one place! Bookmarked as this post is now my go-to for all banana related recipes! I just love it!
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
These are great! So good to have an alternative to banana bread.