Helpful tips for choosing bananas, plus simple storage solutions that will keep your produce fresh for as long as possible.
Is it just me, or is figuring out what to do with over-ripe bananas a never ending quest? Not that I mind, because there are so many delicious things you can do with bananas.
Whether you use extra-ripe bananas for classic banana bread or other baked goods, or use perfectly ripe bananas for puddings and parfaits, it’s important to know what to look for when buying bananas, and also know the best way to store them.
What should I look for when choosing bananas?
Color: First, decide when you’ll be using your bananas. For bananas you’ll be eating right away, Choose bright yellow fruit with little to no green around the ends. Some light brown speckling is okay.
If you won’t be using your bananas for a few days, look for fruit with more green around the ends. Most bananas will ripen at room temperature in a few days.
Appearance: Look for full, plump bananas with peels, stems, and tips that are fully intact. Avoid bananas that are bruised, split, or have deep, sunken dark spots on the peel.
How should I store bananas?
Keep unripe bananas at room temperature – storing them next to other fruit such as tomatoes will speed up the ripening process. Ripe bananas can be stored in the fridge–the skin will turn black but the flesh will be good for several more days.
Can I freeze bananas?
Bananas can be frozen. Just peel them first them cut them in half or into slices. Lay them on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the banana pieces to a zip-top bag. Label and return to the freezer for up to 3 months.
Be sure to try these delicious recipes featuring bananas.
More Delicious Banana Recipes
Best Chocolate Banana Bread
This moist, decadent chocolate banana bread will become your favorite way to use up over-ripe bananas!
Zucchini Banana Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This moist and delicious snack cake is loaded with bananas and zucchini, and topped off with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Banana Bread Coffee Cake
Banana bread and coffee cake come together in this delicious recipe, featuring a cinnamon infused crumb topping and a powdered sugar glaze.
Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread
Banana bread becomes extra moist and delicious with a ribbon of sweetened cream cheese swirled throughout the batter, and a drizzle of orange glaze on top.
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Chocolate milk makes these decadent banana muffins extra special. So moist and delicious, they're perfect for breakfast and after school snacking.
Best Banana Muffins
Based on my grandmother's banana bread recipe, these tried and true muffins are loaded with banana flavor. They really are the best!
Grandma's Banana Bread
This recipe for classic banana bread was passed down from my grandmother to my mom, and then to me. Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to make it extra special.
Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.
Uptown foodie meets real life at Let’s Dish, where I share all my favorite recipes. Making meal time easy, but doing it in style!
