Yes, you can freeze bananas
December 8, 2007We’ve all done it. You get carried away planning your five a day and end up buying too much fruit, some of which will sit in the fruit bowl until it’s time to throw it away. Bananas go from green, to yellow, to brown, to the bin. But it doesn’t have to be this way. They freeze brilliantly.
Bananas are best frozen when they are ripe. Just put them straight into the freezer with their skins on. The skin will go a very dark brown, but don’t worry about this, because the flesh stays a lovely yellow colour and the flavour intensifies.
Frozen bananas take about 2 hours to defrost properly, then carefully score the skin lengthways with a sharp knife and pull apart to reveal delicate, glossy and soft banana flesh.
So what do you do with them? Frozen bananas can be added to smoothies without even being defrosted. Banana bread and Banana cake are both excellent with defrosted frozen bananas, and the soft flesh is perfect for banana icing.
© Katheryn Rice 2007
She likes her food 
[…] * You can freeze bananas if you have a surplus, and frozen bananas work really well in this recipe. When frozen the skins go dark brown, but the flesh retains its pale yellow colour. They need about 30 minutes to defrost, and when you peel them you will find soft, glossy flesh that is slightly mushy and allows very easy mashing. You never have to let bananas go brown again – just freeze them! Read more about freezing bananas. […]
I am sorry to be contrarian, but I, for one, do not advocate the practice of freezing bananas. A coworker pulled out a frozen banana this morning and it was revolting. It sat defrosting for hours on her desk right across from me and I was disturbed by its pallid sepia tone and otherworldly appearance. Plus it was obviously slimy. They may taste alright but the appearance is just too much to take.
That’s a fair point PC, I would not really recommend eating previously frozen bananas on their own. They only work as an ingredient, as I have mentioned in the post above.
[…] can use defrosted frozen bananas in this […]
What’s the longest you have frozen them and still found them edible? I had one turn completely liquid and didn’t know whether it was safe to eat so I threw it away.
Hi Doreen
The longest I have frozen them for is about 5 months. They do go really soft though, so the best thing to use them for is smoothies or cake – things when they would get mashed up anyway.
Thank you. I appreciate the quick answer too! I have two in the freezer now and wasn’t sure about using them. I’ll give it a shot.
hi
your post is helpful so i was wondering,,,
Do you think its ok that my baby eats a banana which was frozen!!!!!!
Just wondering…..
Thanx
Hi Maya
Hmm, I suppose so but it’s best to check with someone qualified to give you advice on that!
x
HI.. had the best experience by just mashing them and putting them in a ziploc and freezing them. They taste better and not so mushy and too liquid.
I freeze three at a time in a bag so I know I have enough to make a loaf of bread. Those small treat bags with the ziploc are EXCELLENT for 1 banana each. I get bananas on sale and keep a supply for when I cannot get to the stores.. ie blizzard etc.
thanks for this entry was very helpful. : )
I didn’t know you could freeze bananas. Tried it once but when I saw the brown skin I tossed them…
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That is so cool to know. I have always ended up throwing them out because I didn’t have time to make banana bread. Now I know! Thanks
Sharron
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
[…] 200g self raising flour 50g wholemeal self raising flour 1 tsp baking powder pinch of salt 150g soft light brown sugar 100g butter 75g raisins 1 tbsp linseeds 1 tbsp poppy seeds 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds 1 tbsp sunflower seeds 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract) 4 bananas, mashed (fresh or frozen) […]
When I take a frozen banana out of the freezer I defrost it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds then I cut open the skin and take the banana out and put cinnamon on it and it makes a tasty snack.
Hi, I see that you should defrost them for 2 hours, but is this by letting them sit at room temperature or in the fridge? Thanks!!!
Hi Angie, yes that’s at room temperature.
it’s easier if you peel them first
I thought of this one day after someone saying grapes were good frozen. I sliced my bananas that were going to be thrown out and getting too ripe, put them in a single layer in a baggie and tried them frozen. Great snack and I guess all the benefits of eating a banana. I am going to try freezing them with some grapes for a cool, refreshing snack in this hot Texas summer weather.
I have a bunch of them sitting on my kitchen counter, thanks for sharing this, will freeze them right away.
Love love love your site and thanks for info on frozen bananas.