How to freeze bananas 3 different ways! Perfect for baking, smoothies, cold drinks and more! Includes step by step video down in the recipe card.
Table of Contents
I’m just going to come right out and say it: I’m always flabbergasted when people mention the bananas they have let go to waste.
Yep, you will see me standing there with my mouth gaping wide.
Huh?
There is no reason for bananas to go to waste!
We are firmly in the save-all-the-bananas camp around here, because they fuel our love of this Healthier Banana Bread (and its naughtier sister Chocolate Chip Banana Bread), and are essential in this Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
My love for baking with bananas runs deep, and I’ve got the freezer banana stash to prove it.
I use two main methods for freezing bananas, and they both serve a different purpose.
I’ll share a third method as well, which works for both!
Freezing bananas for baking:
When I freeze bananas for baking, I throw them into the freezer right in the peel.
The pros to this method is that it takes me about 2.5 seconds to get them in the freezer, and once they’re there, I don’t have to do anything with them until I want to bake.
When I want to bake a loaf of this Blueberry Banana Bread or these Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups, I just pull out however many bananas I need and let them thaw.
Easy!
You won’t find a “recipe” for this method here 😉
Freezing bananas for smoothies and drinks:
When I want to freeze bananas for smoothies, I like them more readily accessible, because we’re not going to thaw the bananas to make the smoothie (eww?).
I place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet, grab my spotty bananas, peel and slice or cut into chunks.
Spread them out so they are in a single layer as much as possible (though it’s okay if they’re touching a bit).
This way, they won’t freeze together in a clump and you’ll be able to grab just as many banana chunks as you need from the freezer.
Pop them in the freezer to freeze for an hour or two until firm, then toss them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
When you need some for this Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie or this Metabolism Boosting Smoothie, you’ve got them!
Freezing bananas for baking OR smoothies:
Let’s say you can’t commit to having a dedicated stash of whole bananas in peel for baking, plus a freezer bag of slices for smoothies, you can meet in the middle.
Peel bananas and leave them whole.
Place them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Place whole frozen bananas in a large freezer bag and freeze up to 6 months.
When you want to bake, you just pull out a few bananas and let them thaw.
When you want a smoothie, you can grab a frozen banana and throw it in.
The downside to this method is that your blender might have more trouble blending a whole frozen banana than chunks.
How long can you freeze bananas?
Technically, frozen bananas are safe to eat indefinitely. They won’t go bad.
Even so, they are not at their optimal freshness past 3-6 months.
I try to rotate my bananas regularly (it’s not hard with a banana bread obsession like mine!), and always buy a few extra to add to my stash when it gets low.
What can I make with frozen bananas?
You’ve come to the right place! Here we’re obsessed with all things baked with banana:
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – made healthier!
- Banana Oatmeal Muffins – healthy and hearty!
- Double Chocolate Banana Bran Muffins – get that fiber!
How to Freeze Bananas
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 banana
Instructions
Freeze bananas whole in peel
- Place ripe bananas whole and in the peel into the freezer.
- Freeze until firm and keep frozen until ready to use.
- To bake with frozeen bananas, allow to thaw at room temperature for 4-5 hours.
Freeze banana chunks
- Peel banana and slice into 1-2" chunks.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm.
- Place frozen banana chunks in a large freezer bag and keep frozen until ready to use. Add banana chunks to the blender frozen for making smoothies.
Nutrition Information
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Chinelo O says
Nice lecture about how to preserve banana for a long time. Actually, I love baking, but trying to do in a small scale, but the problem with my country is lack of constant electricity.And I noticed preserving without peeling them goes bad quickly bcos of lack of constant light.
Katie says
Could I use the bananas frozen in the peel for smoothies? How easily does the peel come off so I can throw it in the blender?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Katie, although you could, I will tell you frozen bananas are pretty hard to peel, actually you won’t be able to peel them you’d have to cut the peel off first. I’d always try to throw my bananas into the freezer after they are peeled just so it’s easier to use later.
Estie says
Hello Ashley. What is the best for banana bread in terms of the best taste, overripe banana or just a ripe banana, for banana bread. I bought 3 crates of bananas for bread. We have a Church festival in August. I want to freeze them and make banana chips for the festival. Could you please give me advice. Thanks for your tips. Estie Zietsman. South Africa.
Ashley Fehr says
My pleasure! This one is my current favorite, with or without the nuts. You can also add berries or chocolate chips.https://www.thereciperebel.com/banana-nut-bread/
M. Slater says
Hi thanks for your great idea’s but can I still eat them after defrosting the bananas. You have lots of baking idea’s but can i just have bananas and custard or just simply eat them after defrosting. Thank you
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi M. Slater! I’m not sure how edible they would be after you defrost them. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!
Barbara Lochmondy says
I’ve frozen bananas in baggies. I didn’t freeze them before putting them in the baggie, and there was liquid in the baggie when they thawed. Should I include the liquid in the recipe (banana bread or banana cake)? Maybe this isn’t a problem if I freeze the bananas before putting them in a baggie. 🤷♀️
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Barbara! I would not add the liquid to a recipe unless it calls for it. Enjoy!
Anita says
I thank you for the information. I am now making oatmeal, banana and nut breakfast cookies. Love the tip. Saving bananas for the next recipe is frugal.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anita! I love having a great banana stash 🙂
Marilyn says
Two great ways to use ripe bananas are: Banana Oatmeal Walnut cookies and Banana Cake!.
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely!
Nettia Hale says
Great info for this senior adult who has wasted WAY too many bananas. NO More. Freeze bound fo ALL over ripe ones from now on. Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad it was helpful!
Toni Dash says
This is so amazing!! Really helpful info! I love baking with banana too and keeping them on hand is such a great idea!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Toni!
Jen says
This is so perfect when they’re turning but you just can’t eat anymore banana bread, haha! We love using them for smoothies so this perfect, thanks.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen! We love them in smoothies too!
Beth says
This is so helpful and easy! I can’t wait to use this! My daughter loves bananas and it will definitely make smoothies easier! Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Beth! I’m glad it’s helpful!
Sandi says
My kids go nuts over frozen bananas! Great tips.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sandi!
Linda says
I’ve never met a person who doesn’t save their bananas! Ack!! I love having bananas to freeze as I too am a banana bread junkie not to mention smoothie junkie. I’ve never tried freezing them in the peel but that would come in handy when I’ve got no time to chop them up. Thanks for the tip.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Linda! I can’t stand the thought of throwing them out either!