Fantastic Banana Recipes and When (Ripeness) to use them!

This post is BANANAS! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

When I first began to bake on my own, it took me a lot of trial and error to figure out Banana Timing in the kitchen. At what point does a banana go from ripe to overripe? When is the actual Prime Time for banana bread?? What are the tips and tricks for amazing banana flavor but not so much the sticky texture I was getting in baked goods?

I mean…bananas are pretty forgiving. That’s the good news. Your recipe will probably work just fine regardless. And you can’t always just sit around waiting for the bananas to have the perfect amount of spots THEN DROP EVERYTHING TO HURRY AND MAKE A DOZEN MUFFINS. We have lives, after all. (Although…I will definitely uproot our meal plan for an avocado at The Perfect Stage for Consumption).

All that to say: Here are my thoughts & tips on when and how to use up bananas in the kitchen! Grab hold of anything here that resonates or inspires you… & keep rocking what already works for you. Drop your favorite banana hints in the comments, too!

Banana Basics:

• As a banana goes from green to yellow to brown, it gets progressively sweeter and softer. I feel like everyone is probably well-aware of this fact, but it’s important to keep in mind when choosing the right timing for each recipe!
• When a recipe calls for mashed banana, I mash on a flat cutting board for best texture! Even if it suggests to mash in a bowl… you will likely get some banana chunks (and thus a texture) that I personally don’t love in my baked-goods.
• An under-ripe (green) banana may cause constipation, but a ripe or over-ripe banana can help to relieve constipation. Medicine Net
• Bananas are nutrient power-houses full of: Vitamin B6, Fiber, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, and Manganese. The Nutrition Source: “Bananas”
• Bananas are best stored at room-temperature. A banana hanging kitchen accessory is ideal for well-rounded pressure & exposure to each banana. Do NOT store in a plastic bag; but you can put bananas in a brown paper bag to promote ripening (another piece of ripe fruit will assist this process). The Nutrition Source: “Bananas”

Green Bananas:

Buy them at the store and then put them on your counter. Do not make a recipe with a green banana. Under any circumstances.

Greenish-Yellow Bananas:

I do nothing with these bananas. I wait for it, wait for it (like Aaron Burr, Sir).

My husband loves bananas at this stage for a plain snack though. Personal preference!

Yellow Bananas:

Top everything with a pure yellow banana!! Slice them up and put on your cereal, pancakes, waffles, etc.

This is also a fantastic time for peanut butter banana sandwiches! (Sweet and pliable but not too mushy yet!)

Yellow Bananas with Some Spots:

Now your bananas are sweet and great for blending in smoothies and shakes!

I also enjoy dicing them up and adding them into oatmeal with some maple syrup, cinnamon, peanut butter, or other toppings!

• Banana Ice Cream/ Banana Shakes (Ice cream: freeze bananas, blend in a blender or food processor with a small amount of milk- any kind. Add more milk & cocoa powder for a chocolate banana shake).

• Favorite Green Smoothie- Minimalist Baker
• Ultimate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie- Minimalist Baker (an amazing, filling breakfast for kids AND adults– check out this post for more ideas!)
• Banana Breakfast Cookies- Five Heart Home (I LOVE THESE!)
• Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes- Cookie and Kate

Bananas with Lots of Spots (more brown than yellow):

PRIME BAKING TIME. Here are some tried-and-true baking recipes I love to use:

• Healthy Banana Muffins – Cookie and Kate
• Easy Banana Buttermilk Muffins – Everyday Healthy Recipes (so moist! you can use WW flour and they are still light and fluffy)
• Lentil Banana Muffins (read my post all about lentils here) – The Lean Green Bean
• Chocolate Banana Bread- Two Peas and Their Pod

Black Bananas:

Paaaaaast the point of no return. No backward glances.

Thank them for the joy they brought to their banana friends that did get consumed in time… and put those shriveled bananas in the trash can. Or compost, if you have that. Is that wasteful? Do any of you use your shriveled up bananas for anything useful??

Happy Banana Eating, friends!

As promised, here is the printable visual guide if you are a Banana Newbie:

What are your go-to banana recipes??

I’d love for you to share in the comments below!

Check out our other ingredient guides, too!

3 TRIED & TRUE PUMPKIN RECIPES YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS FALL

6 AMAZING RECIPES WITH CHICKPEAS FROM AROUND THE WEB

GOT CANNED TUNA? 5 RECIPES TO MAKE FOR DINNER!

HOW TO USE FLAX SEEDS: A QUICK GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

Cover Image by StockSnap from Pixabay