{"id":308,"date":"2020-07-05T17:45:36","date_gmt":"2020-07-05T17:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fueledwithfood.com\/?p=308"},"modified":"2021-06-28T21:24:30","modified_gmt":"2021-06-28T21:24:30","slug":"how-to-freeze-bananas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fueledwithfood.com\/how-to-freeze-bananas\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Freeze Bananas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bananas can ripen to mush before you\u2019ve had time to eat the entire bunch. But bananas are one of the fruits that freeze really well and are great to have on hand for smoothies<\/a>, baking or snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

While bananas are versatile (and delicious!) remember, they\u2019re a high carb fruit. There are about 27 grams of carbs per medium banana, so if you\u2019re on a low carb diet keep this in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"glass<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Can You Freeze Bananas?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you can freeze bananas! They\u2019re actually one of the few fruits that can be frozen with minimal change to their texture and taste. By \u201cminimal change to their texture\u201d we mean when you\u2019re cooking or blending them \u2014 if you thaw and try to eat them as-is, they will be mushy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should You Freeze Your Bananas?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"bananas,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For best results, choose bananas that are ripe and even slightly overripe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green bananas have a low sugar content and are starchy in taste and consistency, so they\u2019re not good for freezing. The perfect banana for freezing is yellow with only a few small brown spots. The fruit will be sweet and still hold its shape when gently pressed. You can freeze a ripe banana whole or sliced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brown, overripe bananas are good for baking cakes, breads and muffins, and they can also be frozen. They need to be peeled and mashed, though, before putting them into the freezer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you can freeze a banana with a peel on, the peel will be difficult to remove and leave you wanting to toss the whole thing in the trash, so you may as well take a few seconds to peel the banana before freezing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Freeze Banana Slices for Smoothies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"cutting<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want to add banana to smoothies, here\u2019s how to freeze banana slices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Peel the bananas. <\/strong><\/li>
  2. Cut the bananas crosswise into \u00bd\u201d – \u00be\u201c slices.<\/strong> It takes a little time, but it\u2019s the best way to freeze bananas for smoothies, since they\u2019ll be easier to puree in a blender.<\/li>
  3. Line a baking sheet that will fit into your freezer with parchment paper or wax paper. <\/strong>You can also use a couple of dinner plates, lined with parchment or wax paper. Arrange the banana slices on the baking sheet (or plates) in a single layer, making sure the slices don\u2019t touch.<\/li>
  4. Pop the baking sheet into the freezer, and let the banana slices freeze for two hours. <\/strong>They should be frozen solid. This flash-freezing prevents the banana from turning brown. It will also prevent the slices from freezing together into a big clump.<\/li>
  5. Transfer the slices to a freezer storage bag or freezer-safe container, and put them back into the freezer.<\/strong> Sliced bananas will keep for up to up to 3 months. (I like to write the date they\u2019re frozen with a Sharpie on the plastic bag or container.) Whenever you want bananas for a smoothie, just remove what slices you need and return the rest to the freezer.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"tray<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    How to Freeze Whole Bananas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"slicing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re baking banana bread, a recipe usually calls for two or three ripe bananas. So you don\u2019t want to count out frozen banana slices and guess how many bananas they make. Freezing bananas whole is basically the same method as freezing banana slices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Peel the bananas.<\/strong><\/li>
    2. Slice them in half lengthwise<\/em>.<\/strong><\/li>
    3. Arrange the halved bananas on a baking sheet<\/strong> or plate lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Make sure they don\u2019t touch. Freeze for two hours or until solid.<\/li>
    4. Transfer the banana halves to a freezer storage bag or freezer-safe container,<\/strong> date the bag or container, then return the bananas to the freezer. When you want to use them for baking, just remove what you need and let them thaw.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"sheet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      How to Freeze Overripe Bananas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Yes, it happens, especially in hot weather: that once-perfect banana seemed to turn brown overnight. If you\u2019re in the mood for baking, use it right away. But if it\u2019s a summer day, and baking is the last thing you want to do, freeze those mushy bananas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Peel the bananas,<\/strong> and put them into a large bowl.<\/li>
      2. Lightly mash them <\/strong>with a potato masher or fork. <\/li>
      3. Measure out the banana mash with measuring cups.<\/strong> Three bananas will yield about one cup of mashed banana. Scoop the mashed banana into freezer storage bags. Write the measurement on the bag. <\/li>
      4. Squeeze out all the air from the bag and seal it<\/strong>. You don\u2019t have to flash freeze banana mash, since it will defrost in the same consistency. So just lay the bag(s) in your freezer. Mashed, overripe bananas should last up to 3 months in the freezer.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        How to Thaw Frozen Bananas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        There\u2019s no need to thaw frozen banana slices for a smoothie; they take the place of ice and chill the smoothie when blended. But if you plan to use frozen bananas for baking, here are three easy methods for how to thaw them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"glass<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Refrigerator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Transfer the amount of sliced or halved bananas you want to thaw from the freezer bag to another airtight container. (If you\u2019re thawing mashed banana, you can skip this step.) Put the portioned bag into a bowl, and transfer to the refrigerator. They\u2019ll thaw overnight and be ready to use in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Transfer the bananas you want to thaw to an airtight plastic bag. (For mashed bananas, you don\u2019t need to do this.) Fill a bowl two-thirds with warm water. Put the bag into the water, and the sliced or mashed bananas will thaw in 5 to 7 minutes. Halved bananas will take a little longer, so you may need to drain the bowl and refill with warm water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Microwave<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Transfer the bananas to a microwave-safe plate. You don\u2019t want the bananas to cook, so microwave for 2 minutes using the \u201cdefrost\u201d setting. If your microwave doesn\u2019t have \u201cdefrost,\u201d then set it to the lowest level instead. Don\u2019t try to microwave mashed bananas in their plastic bag, since the plastic could melt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How Long Do Frozen Bananas Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        According to the FDA<\/a>, bananas can be kept in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. I\u2019ve kept mine for up to 6 months and though they have a little freezer burn they\u2019re still usable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bananas are the star ingredient in a lot of our favorite recipes, like flourless banana bread<\/a>, banana protein pancakes<\/a> and gluten-free banana-oatmeal cookies<\/a>, so having a few in the freezer at all times makes it easy to whip up a quick breakfast when I\u2019m running low on groceries.<\/p>\n\n\n

        <\/div>
        \n\t
        \"sliced<\/div>\n\t
        <\/div>\n\t\n\t
        <\/div>\n\t<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Print<\/a>\n\t<\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span> Pin<\/a>\n\t
        <\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/g><\/svg><\/span>
        5<\/span> from 2<\/span> votes<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

        How to Freeze Bananas<\/h2>\n
        <\/div>\n
        Freeze bananas whole, sliced, or mashed, so you'll always have them on hand for your favorite recipe.<\/span><\/div>\n
        <\/div>\n\n
        <\/div>\n
        <\/g><\/svg><\/span> Prep Time <\/span>10<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
        <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

        Equipment<\/h3>
        • Baking sheet<\/div><\/li>
        • Parchment paper<\/div><\/li>
        • Plastic bags or freezer-safe container<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n

          Ingredients<\/h3>
          • <\/span> <\/span> ripe bananas<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n

            Instructions<\/h3>
            • Peel the bananas.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
            • If freezing bananas for smoothies, cut them crosswise into slices \u00bd\u201d – \u00be\u201c thick. If freezing bananas for baking, cut them lengthwise in half. <\/span><\/div><\/li>
            • Line the baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
            • Arrange the banana slices or halves on the baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they don\u2019t touch. <\/span><\/div><\/li>
            • Freeze for two hours.<\/span><\/div><\/li>
            • Remove the baking sheet from the freezer, and transfer the slices or halves to plastic freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Bananas can ripen to mush before you\u2019ve had time to eat the entire bunch. But bananas are one of the fruits that freeze really well and are great to have on hand for smoothies, baking or snacks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Freeze Bananas - Fueled With Food<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bananas are one of the best fruits to freeze for baking and smoothies. 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