How to Freeze Bananas (3 Ways!) - Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

How to Freeze Bananas (3 Ways!) - Downshiftology? ›

You can leave the banana whole, or slice it in half. Then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for about 1 to 2 hours, until they're completely frozen. Store the bananas away. Transfer the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag labeled with the date.

Remove the peels and cut them into coins or chunks. Arrange the banana pieces, uncovered, on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single, even layer. (You can also line the sheet with a silicone mat.) Put the baking sheet on a level surface in the freezer until they're frozen, about three to four hours.

You can freeze whole, peeled bananas in large plastic bags like smaller banana chunks. You can also freeze bananas whole in their peels, but this will only work if you want mashed bananas. After thawing and peeling a banana frozen in its peel, it will come out of the peel in an essentially mashed texture.

To prevent the bananas from turning brown in the freezer, make sure to use an airtight container, or freezer-safe plastic bag. Exposure to air is what causes bananas to brown, so as long as they're sealed tightly, you won't have any issues with browning.

Simply peel and slice your bananas. Lay them flat on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer for 2 hours until they are solid. Transfer them to a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. You can freeze these for up to 3 months and they will not turn brown.

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.

Choose ripe, but not overripe bananas. They should have a yellow peel with some brown spots. Peel the bananas and cut them into chunks or slices. The size of the pieces is up to you, but keep in mind that smaller pieces will freeze faster and be easier to use later.

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.

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.

Measure out the desired amount of mashed banana according to your favorite banana bread recipe and either put the measured amount in sandwich bags or small, plastic containers. Freeze. When you are ready to bake banana bread, remove bag or container from freezer, thaw, and use.

What container can you freeze bananas in? ›

You can freeze bananas in a large zipped-top freezer bag or any covered container. I like to use these glass freezer containers, which are fantastic for freezer meals & snacks, too.

If the banana is properly stored in the freezer, there may be a slight darkening that occurs. This is the natural ripening process along with the sugary liquid that releases from the banana during the freezing process.

Bananas grow in hot climates, so they are unused to the cold. If they're kept at a cold temperature, the enzymes that enable them to ripen are inhibited. And as those enzymes become inactive, other enzymes operate more efficiently. Some cause cell damage, while others (browning enzymes) cause the skin to blacken.

Bananas that are stored in plastic bags will ripen faster. Instead, keep your bananas at room temperature in a cool, dark place to be sure they receive fresh, well-ventilated air.

Never store bananas in plastic bags, which hold too much moisture and could cause the fruit to rot.

Sweeter apples such as Fujis or Galas are more likely to hold their flavor than tart varieties, but any apple will do fine in the freezer for six to nine months. Perhaps more important to keep in mind, though, is that freezing an apple does alter the texture, leaving the flesh spongier than that of a fresh apple.

Freeze bananas for up to 3–6 months. Freezing bananas beyond 6 months may be fine, but the peeled bananas do begin to darken over time, and then they thaw into an overly mushy mess. I've found up to 6 months is fine, and under 3 months is even better.

In short, yes, banana peels are safe to eat and offer some nutrition.

You can refrigerate bananas, but there's a caveat

Bananas are temperature-sensitive and should be stored at around 56 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain their flavor and texture. Therefore, they belong on the counter or in a cool, dry place — at least until they are fully ripe.

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).