Do you have a bunch of brown bananas sitting on your kitchen counter?
Don’t throw them away just yet!
Brown bananas are perfect for baking and can be used in a variety of recipes.
In fact, they are even better for baking than yellow bananas, as they are sweeter and more flavorful.
Here are nine delicious ways to use those brown bananas to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ways to Use Up Brown Bananas: 9 Ideas
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From banana muffins to banana bread, there are endless possibilities when it comes to baking with brown bananas.
You can also use them to make smoothies, pancakes, and even ice cream. Not only are these recipes delicious, but they are also a great way to reduce food waste and save money.
So, if you have some brown bananas on their last legs, don’t throw them away.
Instead, try one of these delicious recipes and enjoy a sweet treat that is both tasty and sustainable.
1. Banana Bread
Making banana bread is one of the most popular ways to use brown bananas.
This classic recipe is a great way to turn those overripe bananas into a delicious treat everyone can enjoy.
Here is a simple recipe for banana bread:
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| 3 ripe bananas, mashed | Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. |
| 1/3 cup melted butter | Combine mashed bananas, melted butter, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. |
| 1 teaspoon baking soda | Add in baking soda, salt, and flour. Mix until just combined. |
| Pinch of salt | Pour batter into greased loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. |
| 3/4 cup sugar | Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing and slicing. |
| 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour |
There are also many variations of banana bread that you can try. For example, add nuts, chocolate chips, or even swirl in some Nutella for a delicious twist.
You can make banana bread muffins or mini loaves for a fun and portable snack.
Overall, banana bread is a great way to use brown bananas and create a delicious treat everyone will love.
2. Banana Pancakes
One of the best ways to use up brown bananas is to make banana pancakes. This recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for breakfast or brunch. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Butter or oil for frying
First, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then add the milk, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the pan.
Cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake, then flip and cook for another minute or two until golden brown. Repeat until all the batter is used up.
Serve the pancakes warm with butter, maple syrup, or your favourite toppings.
3. Banana Smoothie
If you have brown bananas that are too mushy to eat, why not turn them into a delicious and healthy smoothie? Here are a few recipes to get you started:
- Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie: Blend 2 ripe bananas, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 cup of almond milk, and a few ice cubes until smooth.
- Banana and Berry Smoothie: Blend 2 ripe bananas, 1 cup of mixed berries (fresh or frozen), 1 cup of Greek yogurt, and a few ice cubes until smooth.
- Banana and Spinach Smoothie: Blend 2 ripe bananas, 1 cup of fresh spinach, 1/2 cup of almond milk, and a few ice cubes until smooth.
Banana smoothies are a great way to use brown bananas and get a healthy dose of potassium, fiber, and other nutrients.
You can add other ingredients to your smoothie, such as protein powder, chia seeds, or honey, to make it even more nutritious and filling.
When making a banana smoothie, ripe bananas that are brown and spotty are sweeter and easier to blend than green or yellow bananas.
4. Banana Ice Cream
Making banana ice cream is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to use brown bananas.
This simple and healthy dessert is perfect for hot summer days and can be customized with various flavors and toppings.
To make banana ice cream, peel and slice ripe bananas and freeze them for a few hours or overnight.
Once frozen, blend the bananas in a food processor or blender until they reach a smooth and creamy consistency.
You can add a splash of milk or cream to help with blending, but it’s unnecessary.
For added flavor, try mixing in some of your favorite ingredients such as cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peanut butter, or honey.
You can also top your banana ice cream with fresh fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips for an extra crunch.
| Flavor | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | 2 tablespoons cocoa powder |
| Peanut Butter | 2 tablespoons peanut butter |
| Strawberry | 1 cup frozen strawberries |
| Mint Chocolate Chip | 1 teaspoon peppermint extract + chocolate chips |
Banana ice cream can also be made with various other frozen fruits such as berries, mango, or pineapple.
Experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite.
5. Banana Oatmeal
Banana oatmeal is a delicious and nutritious breakfast option perfect for using brown bananas. Here’s how to make it:
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| 1 ripe banana, mashed | 1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. |
| 1/2 cup rolled oats | 2. Add the rolled oats and mashed banana to the saucepan and stir well. |
| 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy milk) | 3. Reduce the heat to low and let the oatmeal simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. |
| 1/4 tsp cinnamon | 4. Once the oatmeal has reached your desired consistency, remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon. |
| 1 tbsp honey (optional) | 5. Serve hot, drizzled with honey if desired. |
Not only is banana oatmeal a tasty breakfast option but it is also packed with nutrients. Bananas are a great source of potassium and fiber, while oats are protein-rich and can help lower cholesterol levels.
Plus, this recipe is easily customizable – you can add your favourite toppings like nuts, seeds, or fresh fruit to make it your own.
Try this recipe next time you have some brown bananas lying around – it’s sure to become a new breakfast favorite!
6. Banana Muffins
Banana muffins are a classic way to use up brown bananas. They are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or a quick snack. Here is a simple recipe to try:
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour | Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin. |
| 1 tsp baking powder | In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. |
| 1 tsp baking soda | In a separate bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas with a fork. |
| 1/2 tsp salt | Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, and 1/3 cup melted butter to the mashed bananas and stir until well combined. |
| 3 ripe bananas | Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. |
| 3/4 cup granulated sugar | Spoon the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. |
| 1 egg | Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. |
| 1/3 cup melted butter | Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. |
Feel free to add your twist to the recipe, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
These muffins also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and save them for later.
Related: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe
7. Banana Chips
One great way to use up brown bananas is to make homemade banana chips. These chips are a healthy and delicious snack that can be enjoyed anytime.
Here’s how to make them:
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
- Peel your brown bananas and slice them thinly.
- Place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping the slices halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
These banana chips can be enjoyed independently or used as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothie bowls. They are also a great addition to trail mix or granola.
Not only are banana chips a delicious snack, but they are also a healthy one. Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber.
They are also low in calories and fat, making them a great option for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet.
8. Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is a classic dessert that is perfect for using up brown bananas.
This sweet and creamy dessert is made with layers of vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and a rich custard-like pudding. Here is a simple recipe to make the banana pudding:
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 box vanilla wafers | Arrange a layer of vanilla wafers in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. |
| 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced | Layer sliced bananas over the vanilla wafers. |
| 2 cups milk | In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, flour, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and boils. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat. |
| 3/4 cup sugar | |
| 1/2 cup all-purpose flour | |
| 1/4 teaspoon salt | |
| 4 egg yolks, beaten | In a small bowl, beat egg yolks. Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly. |
| 1 teaspoon vanilla extract | Stir in vanilla extract. |
| 4 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks | In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the pudding mixture. |
| Whipped cream and additional vanilla wafers for garnish (optional) | Pour the pudding mixture over the bananas and vanilla wafers in the baking dish. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Serve with whipped cream and additional vanilla wafers, if desired. |
Not only is banana pudding a delicious way to use brown bananas, but it’s also a crowd-pleaser perfect for parties and potlucks.
Give this recipe a try and enjoy a classic dessert that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
9. Banana Cookies
Banana cookies are a delicious and easy way to use up brown bananas. They are perfect for a quick snack or as a dessert. Here is a simple recipe for banana cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Mash 2 ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth.
- Add 1/3 cup of melted butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar to the mashed bananas and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
You can customize this recipe by adding your favourite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
Conclusion
With these ways to use up brown bananas, you’ll never have to waste a single banana again. From delicious banana bread to healthy smoothies, there’s a recipe for everyone.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things with your brown bananas. You never know what delicious creation you might come up with.
And if you’re not in the mood for baking or cooking, simply freeze your bananas for a refreshing treat on a hot day.
Remember always to use ripe, brown bananas for the best results. They add natural sweetness and a unique flavor to any recipe.
So next time you have brown bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, don’t throw them away. Use them with these creative and delicious recipes.
