We have all done it……gone to the grocery store, picked out a perfect bunch of bananas only to realize how fast time flies by. Those things turned brown already?!? What a waste!?
It doesn’t have to be a waste. Personally, I intentionally buy more bananas each week then I could ever eat because I love making other things with bananas (rather than just eating them plain).
It is SO important to be less wasteful when it comes to the food we buy and eat. So I get it, maybe you won’t buy an “extra” bundle of bananas like I do- but it is important to know how to use your brown banans if –or when– they inevitably do go “bad”.
First of all, a banana covered in beautiful brown speckles is not “bad” as many people seem to assume. In fact, speckly or even almost entirely brown bananas are packed with flavor because most of the starches in this fruit have turned to sugar.
This means it may taste a little weird to eat plain, but when added to loads of different foods— the possibilities are endless.
The most obvious solution to this problem is simple: make some dang banana bread! For me, I love making banana bread mufifns, and storing half of the batch in the freezer that way I REALLY don’t waste anything.
I love the environment, but maybe I am a little frugal as well— who knows?!
Banana bread is a delicious and simple solution to those brown bananas though, that is for sure. And don’t be afraid to get creative with it! You can see here I made a chocolate banana bread, and just for some extra decoration, I added sliced bananas on top–because why NOT?
Recipes will be coming soon for both banana breads shown here! So no worries, I will spell it all out for you and make it easy!
Another great way to use bananas that have gone a little TOO ripe, is by tossing them in smoothies. They not only add sweetness but also add a creamy texture that is divine!
When I notice my bananas are starting to turn brown- I pop them in the freezer. This saves them for when I have time to make something with them. If I am adding them to a bread, I quickly defrost them before adding to the recipe. For smoothies, you can thaw them or add them frozen.
Frozen bananas are a STAR if you are ever craving ice cream. I make banana ice cream with frozen bananas by simply blending them with a little milk, vanilla extract, and whatever else my heart desires. (You guessed it– recipes coming soon!)
Bananas act as a natural sweetener, as well as an egg substitute. Think of anything that requires an egg and consider swapping out 1 egg with 1/2 banana. This rule typically is for baked goods/sweets as it acts as a binder. Just remember: you will taste some banana so make sure the flavors work. Here, I made chocolate banana pancakes. See what I am saying?? The possibilities are endless.
Ofcourse I know this is not a complete list of what you can do with your ripe bananas, but I hope it is a starting point to get some ideas and inspiration.
I am dying to know what you may reccomend I do with some of my leftover bananas. Any ideas???? Leave them down below 🙂
Little Mindful Kitchen 