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Learning how to freeze bananas is easier than you think! We’ll teach you the best hacks for freezing peeled, unpeeled, whole, sliced, and mashed bananas.
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Whether you want to keep leftover bananas from browning on the counter or meal prep for smoothies and baked goods, everyone should know how to store bananas.
You don’t need any special tools or equipment, and you might even be surprised at how long they last in the freezer. Imagine always having bananas ready when you need them.
So without further ado, let’s learn the best way to freeze bananas, peeled or unpeeled, whole, cut, or mashed, and never waste fruit again!
Should You Freeze Bananas with Skin on or Off?
Can you freeze bananas unpeeled, or do you need to peel them first? The answer is, it’s up to you!
Freezing bananas unpeeled is convenient if you’re in a hurry. Maybe you’re rushing out the door, spot the bananas on your counter, and know you won’t use them soon.
However, if you do peel before freezing, you’ll thank yourself later because frozen peels are harder to deal with.
Is It Better to Freeze Bananas Whole or Sliced?
Choosing between freezing bananas whole or sliced depends on you and, more specifically, the frozen banana recipes you have in mind.
Freezing ripe bananas without slicing them might be a great option if you want to easily identify the number of bananas you’ll need to thaw for a recipe.
For those with limited freezer space who want to reduce thawing time and plan to blend their frozen bananas, sliced bananas are the better choice.
Those learning how to freeze bananas for smoothies should stick with slices, since they take only about half an hour to defrost and aren’t as difficult to process compared to whole bananas.
Is It Better to Freeze Bananas Whole or Mashed?
If you want to know how to freeze bananas for banana bread and other baked goods, mashing them is the way to go. It saves both time and freezer space.
Who should consider mashing their bananas for freezing? If your bananas have gone brown, just mash them up!
Store them in freezer-safe bags, press out the excess air, freeze flat, and they’ll keep for up to 6 months.
Method 1: How to Freeze Whole Bananas with the Skin On
- Place the unpeeled bananas directly in the freezer, but remember to use them within 3 months.
- Because they’ll be mushy once peeled, frozen whole bananas are best for baked goods. To use, thaw on the counter for 2 hours or until the peels are soft.
- Alternatively, defrost them in the fridge overnight. Strain off the brown liquid before use.
Method 2: How to Freeze Bananas Without the Peel
- Peel the bananas.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 3 hours or until solid.
- Transfer the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag, ideally not touching.
- Squeeze all the air out and put the bag flat in the freezer. Use the peeled frozen bananas within 6 to 8 months.
- To use, leave them in the fridge overnight to thaw or defrost at room temperature for 2 hours. Strain off the brown liquid before use.
How to freeze banana slices
- Peel the bananas.
- Slice the bananas crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they’re not touching.
- If freezing a big batch, stack the banana slices with parchment paper between the layers.
- Freeze the banana slices for 2 hours or until solid.
- Transfer to freezer-safe containers. The frozen banana slices in the freezer are best used within 6 to 8 months.
- If making smoothies, you can blend the frozen bananas directly. For non-frozen recipes, the frozen banana slices will need to thaw for at least 30 minutes. Strain off the brown banana liquid before use.
How to freeze mashed bananas
- Peel and using the back of a fork, mash the bananas until creamy.
- Divide the mashed bananas into a muffin pan and freeze for 2 hours.
- Once solid, transfer the frozen banana blocks to a freezer-safe bag and seal, making sure to remove as much air as possible.
- Use the frozen banana blocks within 3 months.
- You can thaw the mashed bananas at room temperature for 2 hours or in the fridge for use the next day.
What Is the Best Way to Freeze Fresh Bananas?
The best way to freeze bananas is to peel and slice them beforehand. It can be difficult to peel a frozen banana, and banana slices won’t take up too much freezer space.
Compared to whole frozen bananas, frozen banana slices thaw faster and won’t put too much strain on your blender.
If you’re in a rush, you can also just cut each banana in half instead of slicing it into several pieces.
Can Frozen Bananas Be Used in Baking?
Frozen bananas can be used in baking! Just thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours.
If you forgot to bring the bananas out of the freezer, you can microwave the frozen fruits for 3 to 5 minutes at 50% power.
The key when asking how do you freeze bananas and use them in baking is to drain the excess liquid they release to keep your batter from getting too runny.
You can use frozen mashed bananas in a double chocolate banana bread or frozen banana slices in Bananas Foster croissant bread pudding.
Can You Freeze Bananas in a Ziploc Bag?
You can freeze bananas in Ziploc bags. Freezer-safe Ziploc bags can be used for freezing whole, sliced, and mashed bananas.
How to freeze bananas in a Ziploc bag?
Remove as much air as possible when you seal the Ziploc bag, and don’t forget to label it with the date!
FAQ About Freezing Bananas
Is it okay to freeze brown bananas?
Of course! You don’t even need to remove the banana peels. Just pop them in the freezer.
Is it better to freeze bananas whole or mashed?
It’s really your choice. Mashing the bananas before freezing saves time later, especially if you’ll be using them for baked goods like banana muffins and loaves!
How long do fresh bananas last?
Fresh bananas keep at room temperature for 2 to 6 days, depending on ripeness. Once they reach your preferred ripeness, store them in an airtight container in the fridge to help them last for up to a week.
How long do frozen bananas last?
Frozen bananas are best used within 3 to 8 months.
Are bananas good after being frozen?
Yes! They do turn mushy from the ice crystals, so don’t eat them like fresh bananas. Instead, use them frozen in future smoothies or as thawed bananas in baking recipes.
How to Freeze Bananas
Ingredients
Instructions
HOW TO FREEZE BANANAS WITH THE SKIN ON
- Place the unpeeled bananas directly in the freezer, but remember to use them within 3 months.
- Because they’ll be mushy once peeled, frozen whole bananas are best for baked goods. To use, thaw on the counter for 2 hours or until the peels are soft.
- Alternatively, defrost them in the fridge overnight. Strain off the brown liquid before use.
HOW TO FREEZE BANANAS WITHOUT THE PEEL
- Peel the bananas.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 3 hours or until solid.
- Transfer the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag, ideally not touching.
- Squeeze all the air out and put the bag flat in the freezer. Use the peeled frozen bananas within 6 to 8 months.
- To use, leave them in the fridge overnight to thaw or defrost at room temperature for 2 hours. Strain off the brown liquid before use.
HOW TO FREEZE BANANA SLICES
- Peel the bananas.
- Slice the bananas crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they’re not touching.
- If freezing a big batch, stack the banana slices with parchment paper between the layers.
- Freeze the banana slices for 2 hours or until solid.
- Transfer to freezer-safe containers. The frozen banana slices in the freezer are best used within 6 to 8 months.
- If making smoothies, you can just blend the frozen bananas directly. For non-frozen recipes, the frozen banana slices will need to thaw for at least 30 minutes. Strain off the brown banana liquid before use.
HOW TO FREEZE MASHED BANANAS
- Peel and using the back of a fork, mash the bananas until creamy.
- Divide the mashed bananas into a muffin pan and freeze for 2 hours.
- Once solid, transfer the frozen banana blocks to a freezer-safe bag and seal, making sure to remove as much air as possible.
- Use the frozen banana blocks within 3 months.
- You can thaw the mashed bananas at room temperature for 2 hours or in the fridge for use the next day.
Notes
- Store your bananas in an AIRTIGHT bag or container to protect them from freezer burn.
- Let the bananas freeze solid before transferring them to the freezer-safe container to prevent them from freezing into a single piece.
- Be sure to label your freezer-safe containers since frozen bananas are best used between 3 and 8 months!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to freeze bananas, you’ll never have to worry about wasting the ones you can’t finish in time.
Whether whole, sliced, mashed, or left in the skin, bananas can be frozen in just a few simple steps.
You can even freeze overripe bananas!
Just don’t forget to label your freezer bags and containers, and you’ll have bananas ready for anything, from the oven to the blender.
After learning how to freeze bananas, here are other helpful guides related to frozen food and food storage worth reading:
- How to Freeze Zucchini
- How to Freeze Dry Peaches
- How to Freeze Corn
- How to Quick Pickle
- How to Reheat Frozen Lasagna
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