How to freeze bananas (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze bananas in a Ziploc bag? ›

Place the bananas in an airtight resealable plastic bag, label it with the date, and freeze 2 to 3 months. If you add banana pieces to smoothies, there's no need to let them thaw; they can go straight from your freezer to the blender.

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.

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.

Contrary to what the majority of the internet says, whole bananas can be frozen both peeled and unpeeled. To freeze whole peeled bananas, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the bananas so they are not touching. Put them in the freezer for one to two hours, or until frozen through.

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. Many online tutorials may tell you to leave the peels on when freezing them, and that definitely works!

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.

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.

If you freeze whole bananas, the peels will turn brown with time in the freezer. This is fine and doesn't affect the flavor of the fruit. However, if your frozen banana slices, chunks, or mash turns brown, the container or bag is not airtight.

The best container to use for frozen bananas is freezer-safe glass with an airtight lid. The frozen banana strips store well vertically in a mason jar or laying flat in a rectangular storage container. Skip the single-use plastic!

Can I freeze whole 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.

"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.

Bananas will bitter when frozen if underripe. To prevent the bitter taste of frozen bananas, chose to freeze them when ripe, and even better is over riped, but not banana bread ripe (brown and mushy).

Sure, frozen bananas taste like ice cream (a little), but it's not the same as having a bowl of truly spectacular, real-deal ice cream. If you want luscious, creamy banana ice cream the way your grandmother would have done it—with real cream, eggs, and a touch of sugar—THIS IS THAT RECIPE.

How to Freeze Whole 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.

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.

Place bananas so they are not touching on a plate and freeze for one hour. (This will prevent the bananas from sticking together.).