This Banana Bread Recipe Using Frozen Bananas is everyone’s favorite. It’s so simple to make and the entire family will love it!
I’m a banana bread snob, and I’m not afraid to admit it. Seriously, this is the only banana bread I’ll eat, and it’s certainly the only kind I’ll make. (See? Total snob!)
This banana bread recipe is so good and so very easy. And want to know the best part? It’s made with frozen bananas!
Frozen bananas are much easier to mix into a batter than fresh bananas are, and my freezer nearly always has an abundance of them, so it’s pretty easy to mix up a fresh loaf whenever I want.
My family has a love/meh relationship with bananas. They love to ask me to buy them, but once they’re sitting in the fruit basket, the fam is sort of indifferent to them. And if those bananas get even one little spot on them, my crew won’t touch them. They won’t even look at them.
So, every time our bananas start showing some age, I toss them into the freezer. Well, I usually let them sit on the counter until they’re covered in spots and attracting fruit flies, and then I take two seconds and toss them into the freezer. Because that’s how I roll (sad, huh?).
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I just put them right into the freezer, whole and still in their peels. Of course, you’re welcome to put the whole bananas into a large zipper bag if you prefer, but that’s totally optional (at least in my book).
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Banana Bread Using Frozen Bananas
Now, I should probably warn you that frozen bananas don’t look anything like fresh bananas. I think the longer they’re in the freezer, the more disgusting they look. They’re gross, and you just have to accept that fact.
They also get a little bit…umm…let’s just say “juicy” when they thaw out. So, since you need them to be thawed before you use them, be sure to put them in a bowl or on a plate when you set them out of the freezer or the “banana juice” might run all over the counter and drip onto the floor. Ask me how I know this.
When the frozen bananas are thawed and you’re ready to make your bread, just snip off the tip of the peel and slide them into a colander in the sink so the rest of the juices can drain for a minute or two.
Once the bananas have drained for just a moment, you can toss them into your mixing bowl and pour the sugar on top. Yes, it takes a full cup. Yes, it probably makes this recipe qualify as more of a “cake” than a “bread.” Yes, I call it “bread” and eat half the loaf anyway.
Add in a couple of beaten eggs, three tablespoons of milk, butter that’s been melted in the microwave and cooled a bit, and the baking soda. Mix it all together with a wooden spoon. Don’t worry if it’s a little “soupy.”
Next, stir in the flour. The best way to measure flour is to scoop it out of the bag or canister and then level off the top with the flat side of a knife.
Once the flour is completely mixed in, pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for about an hour or so until the banana bread is all beautiful and brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for about five minutes and then remove it onto a rack to cool. Or remove it onto a cutting board and slice it very carefully while it’s burning your fingertips because it smells too good to wait. It’s your call!
Here’s the printable recipe:
Print Recipe
Banana Bread Using Frozen Bananas
This Banana Bread Recipe Using Frozen Bananas is everyone's favorite. It's so simple to make and the entire family will love it!
Ingredients
- 3 bananas, frozen and thawed (can substitute ripe, mashed bananas)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- 3 tbsp milk
- ¼ cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups flour
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease loaf pan.
In a large bowl, stir together all the ingredients, in order, except for the flour. Mix in the flour until combined. Pour into greased loaf pan.
Bake for one hour or more, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for about five minutes before removing to a rack.
FAQs
Frozen bananas are a great way to use overripe bananas in banana bread. If you're like me, you rarely remember to use your overripe bananas on the day they are perfectly ripe so freezing them is a great solution. Thawed bananas are easier to mash and can also add extra moisture to the batter.
Do I thaw frozen bananas before baking? ›
Freeze Bananas Whole (If Using for Baking)
But to use in baking recipes, you need to thaw the frozen bananas first, because you need to mash them for your recipe.
How much frozen banana equals one banana? ›
I have found that about ¾ – 1 cup of ½ inch slices of banana equal close to 1 large banana. After freezing the slices, do a quick measure to see how many cups 1 banana equals for easier measurement for recipes.
What is the best way to thaw frozen bananas for banana bread? ›
How to Use Frozen Bananas for Baking
- Leaving them in a bowl to thaw on the kitchen counter.
- Thawing them in the microwave on low for three to four minutes (or using the defrost setting).
- Placing them in a bag and then submerging the bag in warm water for about 10 minutes.
"Whole, peeled frozen bananas keep for three months," says Weinstein. If they're frozen together, you can simply snap them apart. "Sliced bananas won't last as long, [about] two months tops," says Weinstein.
Are frozen bananas mushy when thawed? ›
You can freeze unpeeled bananas, if you want—you'll just need to thaw them and peel them when they're ready. But keep in mind that bananas frozen that way get mushy when they're thawed, so you'll need to use them only for recipes that require mashed bananas.
Why do frozen bananas taste different? ›
When you remove the banana from the freezer, the amylase diffused in the freezing process starts to convert the starch diffused in the freezing process into sugar, thus making the defrosted frozen banana sweeter on the tongue (via Fine Dining Lovers).
Do bananas taste the same after being frozen? ›
Many people have concerns about the flavour and consistency of frozen bananas. While it is true that bananas will lose their firmness when thawing takes place, the flavour and nutritional value will remain the same as fresh bananas.
Can you use defrosted bananas for banana bread? ›
We freeze all our bananas that are browning for all sorts of things, banana bread included. Yes, done it many times. Absolutely! Be sure to use any liquid they release when they thaw.
Is it OK if frozen bananas turn brown? ›
After thawing and peeling a banana frozen in its peel, it will come out of the peel in an essentially mashed texture. Freezing bananas in their peels causes them to turn a brown (or even black!) color, which can be off-putting, but they're perfectly safe and delicious for that next loaf of banana bread.
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.
Is it better to freeze bananas with or without peel? ›
If you plan to use your frozen whole bananas in a recipe like banana bread, where the banana is mashed, freezing them in their peel is acceptable. Place ripe bananas in a freezer safe bag in the freezer. Frozen bananas left in the peel should be thawed before using and the banana will squeeze out in mashed form.
Can you freeze whole unpeeled bananas? ›
Technically, you can freeze unpeeled bananas, but we don't recommend it; they'll stick together more than their peeled counterparts. To freeze whole bananas, peel them completely, line them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and put them in the freezer for at least 1-2 hours.
Are frozen bananas healthier? ›
Freezing bananas and then thawing them does not affect their nutritional properties or taste, in fact, it is thought that they could even be sweeter. This, thanks to the enzyme known as amylase, responsible for making them sweeter as they mature, as it breaks down starch.
Do I need to thaw bananas for banana bread? ›
It's not a good idea to try to bake with bananas that are still frozen. But once defrosted, bananas can be used for baking without a problem. In fact, frozen bananas come out a bit more soft than counter-ripened bananas that have never been frozen, so they can add extra moisture to baked goods.
When can you not use bananas for banana bread? ›
If they smell off, that's another good indicator that they are no longer okay to use. Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell. While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten.
Are thawed frozen bananas mushy? ›
You can freeze unpeeled bananas, if you want—you'll just need to thaw them and peel them when they're ready. But keep in mind that bananas frozen that way get mushy when they're thawed, so you'll need to use them only for recipes that require mashed bananas.
Can you freeze mashed bananas for banana bread? ›
Mashing bananas before you freeze them is a quick and easy way to prep overripe bananas, especially if you're going to use them in recipes that call for mashed bananas, such as banana bread or muffins. Simply peel and mash the bananas, then scoop the mash into resealable plastic freezer-safe bags.
