7 Best Ways to Use Overripe Bananas (One Idea Only Takes 5 Minutes!) (2024)

Hold the phone! 😆 Don’t throw away overripe bananas…

Hello?! Your overripe bananas are calling!

Do you often have a pile of overripe bananas on your counter that your family has forgotten about like me? Here’s a tip! Resist the urge to toss them because there are so many uses for overripe bananas!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to make use of overripe bananas and how to freeze them for later.

When bananas become ripe, their starch gets broken down into sugar so the flavor intensifies and they taste sweeter. Brown-spotted bananas are perfect to use in various recipes from faux ice cream to banana bread, muffins, and even pancakes! You can mash overripe bananas to use in recipes right away or freeze them for later.

Fresh bananas are a cinch to freeze.

You can peel and then freeze them whole, or try slicing them and freezing them on a sheet pan. Once frozen, transfer the bananas to a sealed plastic bag or container with a lid. Frozen bananas will stay good in the freezer for up to 6 months!

1) Frozen Banana “Nice Cream”

If you have a strong blender like a Vitamix or Ninja, try puréeing a couple of frozen bananas and a few frozen berries together with a splash of vanilla extract. It will create a creamy dairy-free “ice cream” type treat that is sweet and so delicious. My kids loved this when they were younger.

I used to even have a Yonanas machine specifically to make frozen banana ice cream, but you can get similar results using a high-powered blender or a food processor.

2) Banana Bread

This is probably the most common way I use overripe bananas because banana bread is so darn comforting and easy to make using one bowl. My favorite recipe is this sour cream banana bread that has a soft, creamy texture. I sometimes jazz it up by adding chopped walnutsorchocolate chips before baking. YUMMO!

3) Smoothie or Smoothie Bowl

Adding frozen banana slices to your daily fruit smoothies makes complete sense because it helps thicken, adds creaminess, and tastes delicious. Using frozen fruit makes it cold without having to add additional ice. I also love incorporating frozen bananas into acai smoothie bowls with all the yummy toppings.

Smoothies and smoothie bowls are so popular and can get quite expensive at restaurants, so making them at home is both smart and delish.

4) Bananas Foster

Sweet sautéed bananas are amazing over ice cream, and this happens to be a family favorite that’s an easy dessert. Overripe bananas are great for making bananas foster at home.

I typically make a quick non-alcoholic version in a skillet on the stove by caramelizing banana slices in butter, brown sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. The addition of a few pecan halves is amazing too.

Serve them warm over vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have a super easy and delicious dessert. I honestly just measure with my heart, but here is a similar recipe to follow via Food.com.

5) Banana Pancakes

There’s nothing like homemade fluffy old-fashioned pancakes in the morning. If you’d like a different twist, try adding a ripe mashed banana to your favorite pancake recipe or try this fluffy pancake recipe that my family loves. You can also add fresh banana slices to the top with maple syrup for serving. YUM!!

6) Banana Oat Muffins

Muffins are always a welcome idea for breakfast or snacks! If you are wanting a lighter muffin with less added sugar and oil, try this yummy banana oat muffin recipe that uses oatmeal, greek yogurt, honey, and ripe bananas for the batter! My family enjoyed them, and I really think yours will also.

7) 5 Minute Banana Mug Cake

Want to make a delicious cake for one using the microwave? I tried this quick banana mug cake with chocolate chunks from HalfBakedHarvest.com recently and it was so GOOD for a quick late-night treat. And as you may have guessed, it starts with a mashed ripened banana! Mmmm mmm!!

These sheet pan pancakes are a cinch to make in the oven!