What To Do With Overripe Bananas
Check out these 30 things you can do with bananas, even if they’re overripe! All the best easy banana recipes for kids, babies, toddlers, and the whole family!
Surely you’ve heard of making banana bread with overripe bananas, but have you thought to make healthy banana cookies for your toddler? Or using frozen bananas to make soft serve ice cream?
What better substitute for ice cream than the sweet banana, by the way?
I really struggled on the zero waste and self sufficiency front during my second pregnancy. Like, I straight up failed at it. I was throwing things away, and letting tons of food go to waste. It was a shame.
But as my life has settled down a bit, I’ve been able to focus more on my goals. And believe it or not, saving food isn’t as complicated as it sounds! It’s been a slow adjustment, but one I’m happy to make. The extra hours spent saving food and finding creative ways to reuse it is not only fun, it’s frugal!
There was nothing better to start with than bananas.
What To Do With Bananas
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We tend to have a surplus of bananas in our house. This is mostly because my son goes back and forth between loving bananas, and absolutely hating them. Usually he waits until I’ve bought a new bundle to decide that he doesn’t like them anymore.
Thankfully, they’re not expensive at all, and the worst that happens is I use one of the recipes below to make use of the soon-to-be-rotting fruit.
30 Ideas For What To Do With Overripe Bananas
Not all of these easy banana recipes require that your bananas be overripe, but most of them will be yummier if they are!
30. Banana Bread
Banana bread is the usual go-to for extra bananas, especially if they’re overripe. Check out my bff’s banana bread recipe here.
29. Banana Chips
There are several ways to make banana chips at home, both in a dehydrator and in the oven. When you’re in a pinch, these easy banana chips are perfect. They may not look like store quality, but they’re one of my son’s favorite snacks!
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28. Freeze them to make them into soft serve “ice cream”
This is especially great for overripe bananas, because they’re sweeter. Simply throw them in the freezer to save for your next sweet craving. To make your own “soft serve” banana ice cream, blend frozen banana in a food processor until it’s creamy. It comes out perfect! You can customize it however you want, too. Nutella, honey, peanut butter, cocoa powder, you name it.
I made some for the first time this month and I was surprised just how delicious and creamy it came out! It didn’t taste like banana puree at all. I added a bit of unsweetened cocoa powder and that was it! It honestly tasted mostly like chocolate to me, with a hint of banana.
You’ll have an easier time if you let your frozen banana thaw for a few minutes before trying to blend it.
27. Oatmeal Banana Cookies
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These 2-ingredient oatmeal banana cookies rock, y’all! I make them several times each month and my son will snack on them for days. I highly recommend you give them a try!
26. Banana Oatmeal
Mash up into your oatmeal, or add some slices on top. Yum!
25. Add it to cereal
Have you ever had corn flakes with banana slices? You have to try it!
24. Freeze in chunks for future smoothies
Personally, I can’t stand throwing whole bananas in the freezer. I prefer to cut them up into a few nice-sized chunks before freezing so they’re easier to use. Blending a whole banana doesn’t work nearly as well as blending banana chunks.
23. Banana Peanut Butter Bites
Slice your banana into about .5 inch slices and slather some peanut butter in between two of them, to make little peanut butter bites! You can freeze them for a quick snack, and to prolong the shelf life. They taste delicious frozen, too!
22. Use in Milkshakes/Smoothies
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You can’t go wrong with using overripe bananas in milkshakes and smoothies. Check out my make-ahead toddler smoothie recipe for some hidden veggie inspiration! The banana is 100% the only reason I’m able to hide spinach in these smoothies.
21. No Bake Banana Cheesecake
You can find lots of different banana cheesecake recipes online, but this one from Cakes to Kale looks especially delicious and easy. I love the fact that you don’t have to bake it!
20. Banana Pudding
You can’t go wrong with good ol’ fashioned banana pudding!
19. Banana Cake
Try this banana cake recipe!
18. DIY Banana Hair Mask
Bananas are *supposedly great for your hair! I’ve made my own hair masks mixing banana, avocado, honey and raw egg, and it left my hair super soft and nourished. However, I can’t tell you with absolute certainty that the banana was what did it. Still, worth a shot! At the very least it’s a fun experiment for an at-home spa night.
17. Banana Pancakes
Add the banana to the pancake batter, or serve them on top of the cooked pancakes. Either way, they go together like peanut butter and jelly, or… well, like bananas and pancakes!
16. Banana Baby Pancakes (2 Ingredient)
Mix an egg and a banana together to make easy 2-ingredient baby pancakes. Don’t be mistaken though, they’re delicious even for adults! These just happen to be a favorite for baby led weaning.
15. Popsicles
Blend a banana, thinning with milk or water as needed, and pour into popsicle trays for an easy Summer snack! You can customize it however you like. Of course, peanut butter and chocolate are good go-to’s.
Related: Healthy Homemade Popsicles for Toddlers
14. Banana Muffins
Banana nut muffins are my absolute favorite, but there are plenty of great recipes out there, from banana chocolate chip muffins, to crumb muffins with streusel topping.
13. Banana Zucchini Bread
This recipe is a great way to sneak in some zucchini to your toddler. Or yourself! It’s delicious!
12. Banana Fritters
Banana fritters are delicious! Here‘s a great recipe to try.
11. Cute Dolphin Toddler Cups
These adorable fruit cups for kids are a great way to make food fun!
10. Banana Split
If you’re trying to use up overripe bananas, a banana split may not look as pretty, but it sure will taste good!
9. Crepes
Banana crepes are delicious! If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying some, try this recipe by Happy and Harried.
8. Banana Creme Pie
Here‘s a recipe for banana creme pie that you have to try!
7. Frozen Banana Pops
These are fun and kids love them! Warning: You need room in the freezer!!
Cut your bananas in half and put a popsicle stick through them. Dip in chocolate and cover in sprinkles or nuts. Or both!
6. Banana Beignet Bites
Y’all, if you haven’t tried banana beignet bites, you have to. A carnival treat you can have at home!
5. DIY Banana Face Mask
It’s said that bananas are good for your skin because they’re rich in potassium, and that it’s particularly good for people with dry skin. I’ve never tried it, but it’s worth a shot! Simply mash a banana in a bowl and apply to your face, avoiding the areas around your eyes, nose, and mouth. Well, the mouth probably isn’t a big deal.
You can even add a little honey if you have it!
4. Fruit Salad
A fruit salad isn’t complete without some banana to offset the tanginess of berries and citrus fruit!
3. Banana Bread Pudding
Here‘s a delicious recipe for banana bread pudding.
2. Banana Toast
My favorite way to eat banana toast is with a smear of almond butter and chia seeds. Occasionally I’ll even add a drizzle of honey!
1. Banana Souffle
Souffle’s are difficult to make, but if you get it down, you’ve got to try banana souffle.
What creative ways have you used up extra bananas? Let us know in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you!
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I always end up making banana bread but maybe I need to mix it up a little bit. Beignet bites sound pretty amazing.
Banana desserts are one love! Particularly popsicles, fruit salad, and smoothies. Low-carbs, fresh taste, and good mood guaranteed )