Bananas are a staple in most homes. But a big problem that we, personally, have is that they don’t always get eaten in their prime. I got tired of wasting ‘bad’ bananas that became over-ripe so I’ve compiled a list of the best foods to make that can help use them up! Of course, we all know about banana bread, but there’s lots of other options available too!
Check Out Our List Of The Best Ways To Utilize Ripe (Or Over Ripe) Bananas:
- Banana Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting (just like pumpkin bars but substitute bananas in the recipe)
- Banana Pancakes (1 banana, 2 eggs)
- Banana Pudding
- Banana Muffins
- Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
- Banana Coconut Crunch Muffins
- Banana (along with other fruits and/or spinach) Smoothies
- Frozen Banana Popsicles
- Banana Ice Cream
- You can add peanut butter, chocolate chips, or any other ingredients you love.
- Cut into small slices, dip in melted almond bark or chocolate bark. Freeze. Use as a topping on ice cream. Or just as a snack.
- 3 Ingredient Banana Cookies (Bananas, Oats, & Chocolate Chips)
- Protein Cookies
- Hummingbird Cake
- Banana Foster On French Toast Or Pancakes
- Banana Pineapple Cake
- Banana Bread Brownies
- Hawaiian Bread
- Banana Cream Cookies
- Substitute Bananas In Place Of Eggs In Any Cake Recipe
- Banana Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Banana Milkshake
- Mixed Adult Beverage (In a blender, add: ripe banana, ice, orange or pineapple juice, rum, a little coconut milk, ice, or over ice if you don’t want a slushy.)
- Banana Nut Cinnamon Crumb Cake
- Banana Bundt Cake
- Peanut Butter, Banana, and Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
- Upside Down Banana Cake
- Banana French Toast
- Baked Oatmeal With Bananas
If all else fails and you just don’t have time to make something today, place your ripe (or over ripe) bananas in the freezer. They can be pulled out at any time to include in any of the above ideas!
Tell me, what's your favorite way of using bananas?
I’m a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. I’m blessed beyond measure and can’t wait to see what God has in store.
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This post currently has 27 responses.
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monique s
The banana bread brownies sound fantastic. I always seem to have one or two that get too brown too quickly
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Peggy Nunn
I want to try the Banana French Toast. that really sounds good. Our store has so many bananas that very often they have a big bag of over ripe ones for $1. I could use them for all of these ideas.
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Deborah D
All these recipes sound delicious.
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Dana Rodriguez
These are all great ideas. Bananas always go bad before we can eat them in this house.
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gala
great ideas. I make caramelazed banana jam with old bananas, my husband love it on top of greeck yougurt
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I really want to try the banana french toast. That one sounds like a great breakfast the kids will love.
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Helga
This si a great list. My favorite thing to do with them is make smoothies.
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ellen beck
I love bananas but like everyone else mine tend to hit over ripe before I can eat them. In the summer, I do make banana popsicles and really like them. Hummingbird cake sounds so good!
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I am looking up Banana Chocolate Oatmeal Bars and seeing how to make them. It sounds so good. I was just looking for a new snack. Thank you.
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Stevie A.
I didn’t realize how many things you can make with overripe bananas. I have to keep a list like these handy.
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Janice Wright
Thank you for this blog. Since I am a single person household, bananas often get overripe. Now I have some options other than freezing them for smoothies.
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Donna
This is a great list. I love to use ripe bananas when I bake. They help me to use less sugar in desserts.
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Mia E.
These recipes work for me since I love baked good made with bananas but don’t like eating bananas on their own. I had a hummingbird cake for the first time a few months ago and was amazed at how delicious it was.
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I have been using mine in smoothies. Makes a very bananay flavor
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I want to try all of these. Next I am trying the Upside Down Banana Cake. I am cooking so much now that I am home.
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I am going to look up the Protein Cookies using bananas. That sounds very good.
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Sarah L
We had a 90 degree day this week so the banana Popsicles sound good right now.
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I have heard of Hummingbird Cake all my life. Now that it is on your list, I am making one. Thank you for reminding me.
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It always seems like there is always one that is too ripe 🙂 Love these ideas
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Michelle S
Thank you for this list! We have the same issue at my house. I think I would like try the pancakes first.
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linda
Thanks , I didn’t know about any of these recipes
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I want to make the Banana Pineapple Cake. I have all the ingredients and do not need another trip to the store now. Thank you for the suggestion.
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I want to try the Banana French Toast to have something different for breakfast. I think it will be so good.
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Jeanine Carlson
I just made Hummingbird Cake a week ago, yummm! I have the best recipe for blender muffins that uses ripe bananas! Maybe I’ll do a post one of these days soon…
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I need to check out the Banana Bread Brownies. I don’t know that I have ever heard of them.
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I like to buy overripe bananas for cheap and make smoothies. This list inspires me to try new recipes.
OMG all of these sound so good………….. BUT you had me with Hummingbird Cake I have not had one of these in years!! Truth I forgot all about that cake and now I really want it. My problem is now i have to go shopping and then wait on the banans 🙂