How to Freeze Bananas (for smoothies and baking!)
Published 1/28/2019 • Updated 3/22/2024
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Okay, I am totally the type of person who can’t stand throwing whole bananas in the freezer — peel and all. They turn brown and freak me out 😂 That’s why I came up with this simple tutorial for how to freeze bananas (THE RIGHT WAY) so that you don’t have gross bananas sitting in your freezer.
This year is the year of NO BANANA LEFT BEHIND. So, instead of letting them turn too ripe and throwing them out, be proactive and freeze them for later! I specifically like freezing bananas for smoothies, but there are so many different ways you can use them
We have developed a SUPER easy system for leftover bananas in the Fit Foodie kitchen and we wanted to share it with all of you! It is a very simple system that seems like overkill, but when you have a perfect bag of frozen bananas in the freezer that isn’t freezer-burned, isn’t mushy, and doesn’t stick together, you are going to thank us.
What You Need to Freeze Bananas
- Perfectly ripe bananas
- Sharp knife
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Gallon-size bag
Step One- Prepare a Baking Sheet
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper so that you can lay your banana slices down flat and freeze them before you prepare them for storage.
Step Two- Peel, Slice, Slice, and Freeze Bananas
Grab your bananas and peel them. Now, we don’t discriminate against any nanner- yellow or brown, you decide. All you have to do is slice your bananas into 1/4-1/2 inch rounds and place them on the parchment paper.
Place the sliced bananas into the freezer for at least 30 minutes or until your bananas are completely frozen.
Do I have to freeze them on a baking sheet first?
The short answer, YES. If you skip this step, they will all freeze together in a big mushy clump and when you’re ready to make a smoothie in the morning, you will have to thaw them out or ice pick your way through a clump of frozen nanner. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Step Three- Store Banana Slices for Later
Remove baking sheet from the freezer and use a spatula to remove the bananas from the baking sheet. Immediately transfer the frozen sliced bananas into a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal it, and store them in the freezer for easy access to perfectly frozen bananas!
How long will bananas last in the freezer?
Your banana coins will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Make sure to write the date on the bag so that you know how long it has been!
How to Use Your Frozen Banana Slices
Any recipe that calls for banana puree or any smoothie recipe that calls for frozen bananas! You have endless options! Check out some of our favorite banana recipes below.
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
- Peanut Butter Banana Cold Brew Protein Smoothie
- Banana Soft Serve Recipes
- Layered Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Cup Banana Soft Serve
- Banana Smoothie
How to Freeze Bananas (for smoothies and baking!)
Ingredients
- 4 large bananas, peeled
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet by laying a piece of parchment paper flat onto a baking sheet.
- Next, slice bananas into 1/4-1/2 inch rounds and place them on the parchment paper. Make sure all bananas are laying flat and not overlapping with each other.
- Place into the freezer for at least 30 minutes or until bananas are hard and completely frozen.
- Remove from the freezer and use a spatula to scrape frozen bananas off of the baking sheet.
- Place bananas into a freezer safe bag. Remove all air from your freezer safe bag and seal tightly.
- Finally, store bananas in your freezer for easy access to frozen bananas throughout the week!
Tips & Notes
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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What if i just sliced the banana in half, freeze them, and put in a bag?
That totally works too!
Say I freeze a bunch of bananas then later want to make banana bread. What’s the best way to thaw them? Just put enough for the recipe in the fridge overnight?
You can do that or pop them in the microwave to defrost them!
I’m so happy to find this. We buy bananas from Sam’s and it’s a very large bundle , of course they are pretty green. By the time they are ripe you have to eat quickly, so this is great. QUESTION: Will these be ok to use in a banana pudding, if so do I let them thaw before layering the pudding or place them in frozen, then bake meringue??
I don’t see why not! And I think you could do either frozen or thawed…just because they thaw fo fast!
I don’t think that frozen and thawed bananas will make a good banana pudding. Fresh bananas are best for banana pudding.😊
I do this but the bananas get a bit brown in the ziplock . Why does that happen??? Don’t want to waste all those good bananas !
Hmmm that is weird! Make sure you squeeze as much air out of the ziplock before freezing. Air is what will turn them brown!
Your freezer is not maintaining steady temp.
Thanks for this. With the way things are, bananas aren’t always on the empty shelves. When they are, I’m buying more with the intent of freezing some.
YES! So smart! Keep a bag in the freezer at all times!
Yes! Exactly! All of a sudden our reliable supermarkets are overwhelmed and I find myself not being able to find things every time I shop.
Thanks for this!
Thanks!
Genius. Thank you.
You say, serving size is 1/4. Is that a quarter of a cup? I’m new to all of this healthy living. Lol
1/4 of the recipe!
Such a simple idea yet brilliant — thank you for sharing!!
Oh man, I could eat frozen bananas with a little dark chocolate and sea salt ALL FREAKING DAY LONG. And with some almond butter? Oh my gosh, it’s the most fantastic dessert EVER! Freezing bananas for acai bowls, nice cream, and green smoothies are the best!