How To Freeze Bananas
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Updated Aug 30, 2024
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Learning how to freeze bananas is one of the best meal prep hacks you can have up your sleeve! Just slice, halve or mash, then freeze, and store away for future smoothies, baked goods, and so much more.
This is the Best Meal Prep Hack!
I’ve been freezing bananas for ages now, especially since I’m a big smoothie fanatic. But there are actually so many things, in addition to smoothies, I find myself using frozen bananas for. There’s my paleo banana bread that’s always on repeat, this 3-ingredient banana smoothie, or these extra chewy banana oatmeal cookies. But, I’ll go over more options below.
Needless to say, it never hurts to prep some frozen bananas. It’s quick, easy, and won’t take up that much space in your freezer! And hey, it may even encourage you to make more healthy recipes. That’s always a bonus right?
What You Need to Freeze Bananas
Since you’ll be using frozen bananas in their natural state, I recommend freezing ones that are ripe, even to the point where they are just starting to turn brown – they’re naturally sweeter that way!
How to Freeze Whole or Half Bananas
- Slice the bananas. 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. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ways to use frozen whole or half bananas: These are best for smoothies, smoothie bowls, or nice creams! Frozen bananas make those recipes extra thick, creamy, and perfectly chilled. And if you’re craving a chocolate covered banana, insert a popsicle stick into each banana before freezing. Then you’ll have a base ready for dipping!
How to Freeze Sliced Bananas
- Slice the bananas. You can slice each banana into ½-inch or 1-inch rounds. Then arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Freeze the bananas. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the bananas for 1 to 2 hours.
- Store the bananas away. Transfer the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag labeled with the date. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ways to use frozen sliced bananas: Frozen slices are also great for smoothies and smoothie bowls. But they’re also a great shortcut to make my chocolate almond butter banana bites! Just slather some almond butter in between two pieces and stick them back in the freezer.
Also, frozen banana slices thaw faster than a whole or half banana piece. So if you need thawed bananas right away, this might be a better option.
How to Freeze Mashed Bananas
- Mash the bananas. Place the bananas in a mixing bowl and mash away using the back of a fork. The bananas should be soft and creamy by the end.
- Freeze the mashed bananas. Instead of freezing the mashed bananas as a whole, divide it into equal portions (I recommend ¼ cup or ½ cup) in a silicone tray or muffin pan. That way, you won’t need to measure the bananas after the fact when you’re using them for baked goods and such. Then place the tray in the freezer and freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
- Store the bananas away. Transfer the frozen banana blocks to a freezer-safe bag labeled with the date. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- For thawing frozen mashed bananas, you can thaw it overnight in the fridge, or let it sit at room temperature for about 1½ to 2 hours.
Ways to use frozen mashed bananas: Mashed bananas are the foundation for so many baked goods and snacks such as my paleo banana bread, banana nut muffins, banana oatmeal cookies, and banana bread energy balls!
Best Containers to Freeze Bananas
After having done so many meal preps over the years, I’ve found the below products to be invaluable when freezing certain items – like bananas!
- Silicone Trays: My favorite Souper Cube trays have measurement lines on the tray, which is such a benefit! That means you don’t have to get an extra measuring cup dirty, you can add the mashed frozen banana straight to the storage container. And you’ll have the perfect amount every time!
- Silicone Bags: I really like to use these silicone Stasher bags. Plus, they now come in so many different sizes and colors.
There’s More Ingredients You Can Freeze!
The freezer really is the best invention. So make use of it when you’ve got extra zucchini or cauliflower on hand as well! Here are my tips on:
So which way to freeze bananas is your favorite? Let me know which method worked well for you in a comment below!
How To Freeze Bananas – 3 Ways!
Description
Video
Ingredients
- ripe bananas
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and peel all the bananas.
How to Freeze Whole and Half Bananas
- Slice each banana in half (or leave whole) and arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the bananas until solid, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Transfer the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Then store the bag in the freezer.
How to Freeze Sliced Bananas
- Slice each banana into ½-inch or 1-inch rounds and arrange the slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the bananas until solid, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Transfer the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Then store the bag in the freezer.
How to Freeze Mashed Bananas
- Place the bananas in a mixing bowl. Using the back of a fork, mash the bananas until soft and creamy.
- Scoop out set measurements (I recommend ¼ cup or ½ cup) and place in a silicone tray or muffin pan. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze the mashed bananas until solid, about 2 to 3 hours.
- Transfer the frozen mashed bananas to a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Then store the bag in the freezer.
Nutrition
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I have froze bananas in the past, threw them in a freezer bag, removed the air, and placed them in the freezer. When I thawed them out for a recipe, they were gross. Does air freezing make that much of a difference?
Hi Trudi – I find that it does with this method!
I’m 75 and never delved into the smoothie world. I’ve changed my mind. Never froze a banana. Now I’m going to. I should be able to seal them in a FoodSaver bag once frozen and open and reseal as needed. I like the way you explain things and the pics to support. I realize this is pretty simple but I’ll be checking out your website for other ideas as well.
Hi Martha – Having frozen bananas on hand is the perfect way to prep for smoothies!
Thanx sooo much for the info. No more throwing out ripened bananas. Have a lot to go in the freezer today.
Hi Judith – Glad this post was helpful!
I cant believe how many bananas I have thrown out in the past. Never again! :)
Oh no, definitely don’t throw them out! But better to have learned now how to save them. :)
Awesome! Another new simple smoothie & freezing recipe. No more worries about bananas going off.
Thank you Lisa!
Enjoy Cannes!
Glad this post was helpful Fiona!
I love having frozen bananas on hand for my smoothies. It makes them super slushy! And like you, I keep them in my Stasher bag. Thanks Lisa!
I have a Zwilling system that I’m going to use to store my frozen bananas.
I learned that you can also freeze bananas with skin on! I prefer to use organic bananas when I do this and you have to slice the bananas first. It adds a lot more nutrition and fibre and helps to make things *slightly* less sweet. Note: it’s really only good for bananas that will be blended.